Town in Travis County, part of the Austin metro

Living in Barton Creek, TX

A

37th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 94 of 100
4th of 58 in the Austin area

We give Barton Creek an A. It ranks 37th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on education levels and jobs and income, and trails on cost of living and errands and things to do. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals and retirees.

  • Good for families
  • Good for young professionals
  • Good for retirees
  • Pricey
  • Cost of living scores low (14 of 100)
  • Tornado risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Barton Creek isHoustonSan AntonioDallasFort WorthBarton Creek
Where Barton Creek is in Texas.
Population
3,440
Median rent
$2,26862% higher than Texas
Median home value
$2,000,000+605% higher than Texas
Household income
$203,947Median
Average commute
22 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Barton Creek

Barton Creek sits about 7 miles from downtown Austin, in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro. About 3,440 people live here. It is spread out, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2005).

The median age is 59.0, 20% of households have children, 79% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $203,947 a year (160% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Barton Creek

  • High incomes. The median household earns $203,947, 160% higher than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 22 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Healthier population. Only 5.8% of working-age adults lack health insurance.

Cons of living in Barton Creek

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $2,268, 62% higher than the Texas median.
  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 9.8 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 123 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Barton Creek suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 88% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 160% higher than the Texas median, with 7 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 5.8% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 83% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 95% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $2,268 is 62% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 63% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $2,268 is 62% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 16% for people on a budget.

Barton Creek report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Barton Creek with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade D-

    Median rent $2,268, homes cost 9.8x income.

    14 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade A+

    Median household income $203,947, 2.3% unemployed.

    96 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    Not enough data.

    83 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    0 grocery stores, 7 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    37 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B

    Average commute 22 min, 48% work from home.

    69 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade A+

    72% have a bachelor’s degree.

    98 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade A+

    5.8% of adults uninsured.

    96 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B+

    79% of homes owner-occupied.

    74 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B+

    95% of homes have broadband.

    75 of 100 vs US towns

Where Barton Creek stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median household income: $203,947160% higher than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 72%38 points higher than Texas (34%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 79%16 points higher than Texas (63%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 9.8x171% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $2,26862% higher than Texas ($1,403)

Cost of living in Barton Creek

Barton Creek renters pay a median of $2,268 a month, 62% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $91,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 39% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,530 for a one-bedroom, $1,817 for a two-bedroom and $2,292 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $2,000,000+, 605% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $10,947 before tax, or $11,781 with property tax. That is $9,513 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Barton Creek pays $10,000+ a year, 136% higher than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Barton CreekStudio$1,4471 bedroom$1,5302 bedrooms$1,8173 bedrooms$2,2924 bedrooms$2,689
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent62% higher than Texas$2,268$1,403$1,413
Median home value605% higher than Texas$2,000,000+$283,800$332,700
Home value to income171% higher than Texas9.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent12 points lower than Texas39%52%51%
Median property tax per year136% higher than Texas$10,000+$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them16 points higher than Texas79%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200519921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$11,781
Mortgage payment
$10,947
Property tax
$833
Median rent, for comparison
$2,268

Based on a $2,000,000+ home in Barton Creek, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Daily life in Barton Creek

Everyday places mapped inside Barton Creek, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 19% shorter than the Texas average. 48% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Austin is about 7 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Barton Creek work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $203,947, income per person is $157,628, unemployment is 2.3% and 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
7
Cafes
2
Bars
3
Parks
0
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income160% higher than Texas$203,947$78,476$80,734
Income per person287% higher than Texas$157,628$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas2.3%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line11 points lower than Texas3.0%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher38 points higher than Texas72%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher14 points higher than Texas100%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance14 points lower than Texas5.8%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet3 points higher than Texas95%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute19% lower than Texas22 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home34 points higher than Texas48%14%15%
Workers who work from home48%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk2.3%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Barton Creek

Under 1815%
18 to 348.0%
35 to 6437%
65 and over40%

Median age 59.0 years. 20% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White79%
Hispanic or Latino10%
Black0.7%
Asian4.9%
Other or more than one race5.5%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Barton Creek

Barton Creek has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 42°F. There are about 123 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 36 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Barton Creek40°60°80°100°62J66F73M80A87M93J97J98A91S82O72N64DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Austin-Camp Mabry, 7 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingHigh
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsLow
  • Strong windModerate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Barton Creek

Nearby, West Lake Hills gets an A, Rollingwood gets an A+ and Bee Cave gets an A. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. AWest Lake HillsTown, 3,285 people3 mi
  2. A+RollingwoodTown, 1,316 people5 mi
  3. ABee CaveTown, 8,862 people6 mi
  4. A-Steiner RanchSmall city, 18,619 people6 mi
  5. ALakewaySmall city, 19,307 people8 mi
  6. BShady HollowTown, 5,709 people8 mi

Barton Creek in the Austin area

How it ranks among 58 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+The Hills2,516 people14 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Rollingwood1,316 people3 mito downtown
  3. 3A+Brushy Creek19,576 people15 mito downtown
  4. 4ABarton Creek3,440 people7 mito downtown
  5. 5AWest Lake Hills3,285 people3 mito downtown
  6. 6ABelterra6,978 people16 mito downtown
  7. 7ABee Cave8,862 people12 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of austin

Living in Barton Creek: common questions

Is Barton Creek, TX a good place to live?

We give Barton Creek an A. It ranks 37th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on education levels and jobs and income, and trails on cost of living and errands and things to do. It is a strong pick for families, young professionals and retirees.

How much does it cost to live in Barton Creek?

Renters in Barton Creek pay a median of $2,268 a month, 62% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $2,000,000+, 605% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 9.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $11,781, including property tax.

Does Barton Creek flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Barton Creek as high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, heat waves, hail and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Barton Creek?

Summers in Barton Creek peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 42°F. Expect around 123 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 36 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Barton Creek?

The average one-way commute is 22 min, 19% lower than the Texas average. About 48% of workers work from home. It is about 7 miles from downtown Austin.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.