Comparing Austin Metro Home Prices: Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Hutto, Round Rock, Pflugerville

Understanding the local real estate market is critical for effective financial planning, especially when deciding where to buy a home. In the Austin metro area, suburban cities like Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Hutto, Round Rock, and Pflugerville each offer different price points. Below we compare the median prices of single-family homes in these areas as of late 2025.

What the Numbers Show

Liberty Hill — With a median single-family home price of about $356,000 (up 13% year-over-year), Liberty Hill is showing strong price momentum. The relatively lower entry cost combined with significant appreciation signals that buyers may be capturing value earlier in the growth cycle. For financial planning, that means lower upfront housing cost, but potentially higher future market risk if growth expectations accelerate.

Cedar Park — The median sale price stands around $492,000, having fallen roughly 9.7% from the prior year. Although higher priced than many suburbs, Cedar Park’s proximity to Austin and mature infrastructure give it resilience.  

Leander — Median home prices are near $398,000, with a year-over-year decline of about 11.6%. Leander’s drop suggests an affordability adjustment is underway. For clients, it means opportunity but also caution: lower cost may stretch budgets less, but slower appreciation could impact long-term wealth accumulation.

Georgetown — Median single-family prices are approximately $408,000, with slight year-over-year decline (around 4%) in recent data. Georgetown offers a middle ground: moderate price, established community, and steady—but not explosive—growth.

Hutto — Homes in Hutto have a median price around $345,000, one of the more affordable options among the suburbs. While growth may be more modest, the lower entry cost can free up capital elsewhere in the plan (such as investing or retirement savings).

Round Rock — With median home values around $394,000, Round Rock remains competitively priced relative to its amenities, schools, and growth profile. For families prioritizing stability, Round Rock offers a good balance of price and quality. In a financial-planning context, it may allow a higher down payment or shorter mortgage term while still accessing strong community features.

Pflugerville — Median single-family prices hover near $367,000, offering a compelling blend of affordability and access to the Austin metro. From a planning perspective, Pflugerville may enable homeownership earlier or with lower budget stress, which can help clients preserve liquidity for other goals (education, retirement, emergency savings).

From a homebuyer’s perspective, this means the typical budget required for a house varies significantly by location. A family shopping in Cedar Park or Georgetown should expect to spend around $400K–$500K for a median-priced home, whereas in Hutto, Liberty Hill, or Pflugerville, the mid-$300Ks might suffice for a comparable property.  

These medians are just benchmarks – individual listing prices will range above and below – but they give a sense of relative affordability. For instance, one might save $100K+ by choosing a home in Hutto or Liberty Hill versus a similar home in Cedar Park. Of course, price is only one element of affordability; we must also weigh ongoing costs like Williamson County property taxes.

Mortgage Rates, Affordability, and Buying Power in Greater Austin

Interest rates can have just as much impact on affordability as home prices themselves. In fact, a 1% change in the mortgage rate can shift a family’s monthly payment by hundreds of dollars — often enough to change which suburb or price point fits comfortably within budget.

For example, consider a 30-year fixed mortgage on a $400,000 home with 10% down. At a 6.0% interest rate, the principal and interest payment is roughly $2,158 per month. If rates rise to 7.0%, that same home now costs about $2,395 per month — an extra $2,800 per year in interest expense. Conversely, if rates drop to 5.0%, the payment falls to around $1,930 per month, freeing up nearly $225 per month of cash flow.

These differences matter when comparing areas like Cedar Park vs. Liberty Hill or Round Rock vs. Hutto. A buyer in Cedar Park might pay $100K more for a similar home, but if they lock in a lower interest rate or buy during a rate dip, their monthly payment could be similar to someone buying a cheaper home at a higher rate. This dynamic underscores why timing and financing strategy are as important as location in the Austin market.

At Axon Capital Management, we help clients model these scenarios before they commit to a home purchase. We test “what-if” cases for different loan types, down payments, and interest rates, showing exactly how a change in borrowing costs affects the total financial plan. We also coordinate when rate buydowns, adjustable-rate loans, or larger down payments make sense given broader investment goals.

By integrating home financing into their overall financial plan, families can make better-informed decisions — not just about which home to buy, but when and how to buy it.

Rent vs. Buy: Evaluating Your Best Move in Austin

For many in the Austin metro area — especially young professionals and relocating families — the question isn’t just where to live, but whether to buy at all. With home prices moderating but mortgage rates still elevated, the rent-versus-buy equation has become more nuanced.

As of late 2025, average rents for a three-bedroom home range from about $2,100–$2,400 in Round Rock and Pflugerville, and closer to $2,600–$2,800 in Cedar Park or Leander, depending on neighborhood and amenities. Meanwhile, a median-priced home in those same areas might carry a total monthly payment (including mortgage, insurance, and taxes) between $2,600 and $3,000. In other words, buying often costs a few hundred dollars more per month up front — but it begins building equity immediately.

From a financial planning perspective, the decision hinges on three factors:

1. Time Horizon – If you expect to stay put for at least five to seven years, buying often becomes advantageous after factoring in appreciation and amortization. In faster-growing suburbs like Liberty Hill and Leander, homeowners have historically seen steady value growth as infrastructure and schools expand.

2. Liquidity and Flexibility – Renters retain flexibility — ideal for those unsure about career stability or relocation. Homeownership ties up capital in a less liquid asset, so maintaining emergency reserves and investment balance is critical.

3. Opportunity Cost – The down payment and closing costs used to buy a home could instead be invested. We help clients compare projected home appreciation to potential investment returns to see which option aligns better with their goals.

Renting can make sense for mobility or short-term affordability; buying can make sense for long-term wealth-building and stability. What matters most is understanding the trade-offs in the context of your broader financial picture — cash flow, investment strategy, and career outlook.

At Axon Capital Management, we use data-driven analysis to help clients answer this question with confidence. Whether you’re deciding between renting in Austin or buying in Georgetown, or weighing a move to a growing area like Liberty Hill, we model both options side by side so you can see which path best supports your long-term plan.

Broader Financial Planning Implications

Choosing a home is not just a real estate decision – it’s a financial planning decision. The comparison of home prices in Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Hutto, Round Rock, and Pflugerville highlights how holistic planning is necessary to make the best choice:

• Budgeting and Cash Flow: Beyond the down payment, homeowners must budget for ongoing costs: mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and possibly HOA fees. In higher-tax areas or higher-priced markets, those monthly outlays will be larger. A comprehensive budget ensures you don’t become “house rich, cash poor.” We work with clients to run the numbers – for example, what does a $400K home in Georgetown really cost per month versus a $350K home in Hutto when you factor in taxes and insurance? These analyses prevent unwelcome surprises and keep your debt-to-income ratio in a healthy range.

• Mortgage Strategy: With home prices hovering from the mid-$300Ks to nearly $500K in these suburbs, selecting the right mortgage product is key. Some buyers may consider adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) or rate buydowns if interest rates are high, while others might benefit from a traditional 30-year fixed loan. The goal is to fit the mortgage to your broader plan. As fiduciaries, we help evaluate how different loan options (and their interest rates) impact your long-term interest costs and payoff timeline.

• Homeownership in Long-Term Wealth Planning: A home is often one of the largest assets in a family’s net worth. In Central Texas, real estate has historically been a strong wealth-builder as values appreciate over time. However, recent trends remind us that housing is not a one-way bet. We help clients view their home purchase as part of a diversified financial plan – balancing the equity in their home with other investments and ensuring they have sufficient liquidity for emergencies or opportunities. For example, we might discuss the pros and cons of accelerating mortgage payments (to build equity faster) versus investing extra cash in a 401(k) or brokerage account. We also emphasize risk management: maintaining adequate life and disability insurance to cover the mortgage, and keeping an emergency fund for home repairs or property tax spikes.

• Exit Strategy and Flexibility: Finally, a financial plan considers the future – is this home a 5-year stepping stone or a 30-year forever home? The answer can guide whether you prioritize resale value and school districts (if you plan to sell or if you’re building equity for the next move), or whether you focus on finding a community to settle in long-term regardless of short-term market fluctuations. For instance, empty nesters in Round Rock might decide to downsize and move to a lower-tax area to reduce expenses, freeing up cash flow for retirement travel. We facilitate those decisions by forecasting the outcomes: selling the house, the proceeds, and the cost of the next home or renting, in the context of the overall retirement plan.

Bottom line: Real estate decisions should be made with both head and heart – considering numbers and lifestyle. By comparing median home prices across Austin’s suburbs, we see tangible differences that will affect a family’s finances for years to come. Taxes and school quality further shape the equation of what’s “affordable” or “worth it” for you. This is where a fiduciary financial advisor can provide value. Our role is to help you make an informed decision about homeownership within the bigger picture of your financial life.  

Homeownership can be a powerful step in building long-term wealth, and with careful planning, you can enjoy that new home without derailing your other goals. We’re here to help you map out that path, so you feel confident that your home purchase is not just a dream come true, but also a sound investment in your future.

If you have questions about buying a home, comparing mortgage options, or how housing fits into your broader financial plan, fill out the form below. We’ll schedule a brief, no-obligation consultation to help you make confident, well-informed decisions.

Article written by Brady Lochte, Financial Advisor at Axon Capital Management

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized financial or investment advice. The examples and figures presented (including home prices, mortgage rates, and cost estimates) are based on publicly available data as of late 2025 and are subject to change. Past market trends do not guarantee future results. Before making any financial or real estate decisions, you should consider consulting a qualified professional who can provide guidance based on your individual circumstances.

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