North Austin Apartments: Your 2026 Insider Guide & Rent Prices

Most apartment websites treat North Austin like it’s one neighborhood. It’s not.

I’ve toured over 500 apartments across all the different parts of Austin, and here’s what I can tell you: the property on Metric Boulevard charging $1,100 for a one-bedroom is a completely different experience than the one near The Domain asking $1,750 for the same square footage. Both technically share a 78758 zip code.

Why does that matter if you’re searching for North Austin apartments right now? Because the difference between finding a great deal and overpaying by $400/month often comes down to knowing which corridor you’re actually looking at. Domain-adjacent properties command premium rent because you’re paying for walkability to shops and restaurants. Drive eight minutes east on Braker Lane and you’ll find newer construction, similar finishes—and you pocket the difference.

This guide breaks down what most searches won’t tell you: the seven distinct sub-areas within North Austin, current rent prices by corridor (updated January 2026), and the mistakes I see renters make when they don’t understand how different Metric Boulevard is from Burnet Road.

Table of Contents

• What Makes North Austin Different
• The 7 Sub-Neighborhoods You Need to Know
• Current Rent Prices by Corridor
• Pet-Friendly Living in North Austin
• North Austin vs. Other Austin Areas
• Mistakes to Avoid in North Austin
• Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answer: North Austin at a Glance

Boundaries: Anderson Lane (south) to Parmer Lane (north), Mopac (west) to I-35 (east)

Zip Codes: 78752, 78753, 78756, 78757, 78758, 78759

Rent Range: $895 (older Lamar corridor) to $2,100+ (Domain luxury)

The Vibe: Tech-forward, professional, newer construction, car-dependent but convenient to major employers

Known For: Proximity to Apple, Meta, Tesla, Samsung; The Domain shopping district; Walnut Creek Park access; MetroRail stations at Kramer and Crestview

What Makes North Austin Different

North Austin isn’t trying to be South Austin. And that’s the point.

Where South Austin leans into “Keep Austin Weird” with dive bars, taco trailers, and streets lined with live oak trees, North Austin built something else entirely: a tech corridor designed around getting to work efficiently. The apartment stock reflects this. You’re looking at construction from 2015 forward, buildings with smart home packages, coworking spaces in the lobby, and EV charging stations in the garage. The trade-off? Less character but more convenience.

North Austin stretches roughly 8 miles from Anderson Lane up to Parmer Lane, bounded by Mopac on the west and I-35 on the east. That’s a massive footprint—larger than some Austin suburbs. Highway 183 cuts through the middle and creates a natural divide: properties south of 183 feel closer to central Austin’s energy, while north of 183 you’re firmly in suburban-urban territory where strip centers and office parks dominate.

Three reasons keep showing up in my client conversations about why people choose it.

First, jobs. Apple’s campus at The Domain puts thousands of tech workers within a 10-minute commute of Metric Boulevard apartments. Meta, Samsung, and Oracle all have significant Austin operations in or near North Austin.

Second, newer construction. If you want in-unit washer/dryer, quartz countertops, and a building that doesn’t smell like the previous decade, North Austin delivers that more consistently than South or East Austin.

Third, value relative to comparable finishes. A Class A one-bedroom in South Austin’s 78704 runs $1,800-2,200. Similar quality near Metric Boulevard? $1,300-1,500.

Here’s the honest trade-off: you’re choosing commute over culture. North Austin has solid restaurants—Summer Moon Coffee for oak-roasted lattes, Barley Swine for a Michelin-starred tasting menu on Burnet Road, Uchiko on North Lamar for James Beard Award-winning sushi. Speaking of Burnet Road: it’s quietly become one of Austin’s best food corridors, running from 45th Street north past The Domain with spots like The Peached Tortilla, Picnik, DeSano Pizza, and the iconic dive bar Lala’s Little Nugget (a year-round Christmas bar that’s been around for 50+ years). But even with Burnet’s revival, North Austin isn’t a neighborhood you explore on foot. You’ll drive to H-E-B, the gym, and dinner. If walkability matters, The Domain itself is the exception, and you’ll pay $400-600 more per month for that privilege.

The 7 Sub-Neighborhoods You Need to Know

Here’s where most apartment websites fail you: they list “North Austin” properties like the area is one undifferentiated mass. It’s not. The Metric Boulevard corridor has a completely different feel and price point than Highland or The Domain. I’m breaking this into seven distinct zones based on how locals actually talk about these areas and where the 87+ apartment communities in my database cluster.

North Austin Sub-Area Comparison

South of Highway 183 (Closer to Central Austin)

These sub-areas feel more connected to Austin’s urban core. You’re 15-20 minutes from downtown, and the neighborhoods have been here long enough to develop distinct personalities.

Crestview / Anderson Lane (78756, 78757)

This is where North Austin starts feeling like a real neighborhood rather than just an employment corridor. The area around Crestview Station has walkable streets, established trees, and local spots like Epoch Coffee and Little Deli & Pizzeria that give it character most of North Austin lacks.

Apartment inventory here is limited compared to areas north of 183. Properties like The Albright (8528 Burnet Rd), Shoal Creek North (8605 Shoal Creek Blvd), and The Anderson (2711 W Anderson Ln) represent your main options. Expect $1,400-1,700 for a one-bedroom—about $200-300 more than Metric Boulevard for the neighborhood feel.

Crestview Station on the Capital Metro MetroRail line runs directly to downtown and Kramer Station near The Domain. This is the only sub-area in North Austin where you could realistically live without a car if you work downtown or near The Domain. But the MetroRail runs limited hours and isn’t convenient for most schedules. It’s a nice-to-have, not a commute solution.

Highland / St. Johns (78752)

Five years ago, I wouldn’t have included Highland in a North Austin guide. The area around the old Highland Mall was aging retail and not much else. That’s changed.

ACC Highland campus, the redevelopment around Mueller, and new apartment construction have made this a transitional zone worth watching. Properties like Medina Highlands (212 W Highland Mall Blvd), The Johnny (613 W St Johns Ave), and Bridge at Midtown Commons (810 W St Johns Ave) represent the newer wave. Rents sit at $1,250-1,550 for a one-bedroom—reasonable for the quality and location.

Highland sits between North Austin’s tech corridor and East Austin’s creative scene. You’re 10 minutes from The Domain, 10 minutes from Mueller, 15 minutes from downtown. For renters who want access to multiple parts of Austin without committing to one vibe, this geographic sweet spot has real value. The area is still figuring out what it wants to be, though. Some blocks feel polished and new while others still have that strip-mall-and-parking-lot energy.

North of Highway 183 (True North Austin)

Cross Highway 183 and you’re in the North Austin that most people picture: newer construction, tech campuses, The Domain’s urban-ish experiment, and mile after mile of Metric Boulevard apartments.

The Domain (78758)

If North Austin has a center of gravity, it’s The Domain. This is Austin’s “second downtown”—a mixed-use development with retail, restaurants, offices, and apartments built around walkable streets. Apple’s Austin campus sits at the edge. Meta and other tech employers cluster nearby.

Premium pricing across the board here. Gallery at Domain (11119 Alterra Parkway), The Grand at the Domain (11009 Alterra Pky), and Griffis at the Domain (3001 Esperanza Crossing) all run $1,700-2,400 for a one-bedroom. You’re paying for the walkability and the address.

The Domain is the one place in North Austin where you don’t need a car for daily life. Whole Foods, restaurants, bars, fitness studios—all within walking distance. But understand what you’re buying: a manufactured urban environment, not an organic neighborhood. The Domain on a Saturday afternoon is packed, buzzing with shoppers navigating between stores. It feels like a very nice outdoor mall. Because it is one.

Here’s the math: $1,700/month gets you a one-bedroom at The Domain. The same money gets you a two-bedroom, or a substantially nicer one-bedroom, eight minutes down Braker Lane. You’re paying a $400-600 premium for walkability.

Metric Boulevard / Kramer Station (78758)

This corridor—particularly the southern stretch within a mile of The Domain—is where I point most of my North Austin clients looking for value. You get Domain-adjacent location without Domain pricing.

Luca (9100 Metric Blvd), Henry Heights (12330 Metric Blvd), Madison Northridge (12001 Metric Blvd), Park at Walnut Creek (12113 Metric Blvd), Twelve100 (12100 Metric Blvd) hit the sweet spot. Expect $1,150-1,450 for a one-bedroom with Class A finishes: stainless appliances, quartz counters, in-unit washer/dryer. Some properties currently offer 6-10 weeks free on 12-month leases, pushing net effective rent into the $1,000-1,200 range.

Properties on the west side of Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park combine competitive pricing with trail access. That’s 293 acres with 15 miles of hike and bike trails winding through wooded hills and limestone bluffs, a disc golf course, an off-leash dog area, and a swimming pool. Locals describe it as feeling like you’re not in the city anymore once you’re on the trails.

The surroundings are strip malls, though. Metric Boulevard is not pretty. You’ll live in a nice apartment and walk outside to fast-food chains and auto repair shops. You’re renting for the apartment, the price, and the commute—not the street life.

Tech Ridge / Scofield (78753, 78754)

This is North Austin’s newest frontier. Construction from 2018 forward, aggressive move-in specials, and proximity to Samsung’s Parmer Lane facility make Tech Ridge attractive for renters willing to go a bit further north.

Magnolia Scofield Ridge (3100 Scofield Ridge Pkwy), The Bowen, The Kelsey at Scofield Farm, and Broadstone North ATX represent some of the newest builds in the Austin metro. One-bedrooms run $1,100-1,400, and specials are common. I’ve tracked properties here offering 8-12 weeks free, which drops net effective rent below $1,000 if you time it right.

Work at Samsung’s fabrication plant on Parmer Lane? This is where you want to be. Five-minute commute, new construction, aggressive pricing. For everyone else, you’re trading location for savings. Tech Ridge sits 25-30 minutes from downtown Austin in normal traffic, 40+ during rush hour.

You’re at the edge of Austin’s urban footprint here. Retail is limited. The area lacks personality. Fine if you’re here for a job. Lonely if you’re trying to build a social life.

North Lamar / Rundberg (78753)

I’m going to be direct: North Lamar gets dismissed too quickly. Yes, some of the apartment stock is older. Yes, certain blocks feel neglected. But this corridor offers the most affordable rents in North Austin proper, and the Vietnamese and Korean restaurant scene along North Lamar is legitimately excellent.

Bridge at Heritage Woods (12205 North Lamar Blvd), The Langdon at Walnut Park (12101 N. Lamar Blvd), On The Green (12007 North Lamar Blvd), and Walnut Creek Crossing (2000 Cedar Bend Drive) have rents starting at $895 for a one-bedroom. That’s not a typo. These aren’t luxury finishes, but the buildings are maintained, and you’re still in Austin city limits.

The international food along North Lamar and Rundberg? Some of the best in Austin. Pho Thaison for Vietnamese comfort food, Asia Cafe for authentic Sichuan that locals swear by, Korea House for Korean BBQ that’s been around since 1988—places locals who actually eat out know about. You’re trading Instagram aesthetics for authenticity and savings.

Research Boulevard / Arboretum (78759)

Research Boulevard properties sit between North Austin and the Hill Country. You’re closer to Emma Long Metropolitan Park and Lake Austin than to The Domain. The apartment inventory is limited, but the setting differs from everything else in this guide.

Presidium 183 (9111 Research Blvd), Presidium Waterford (9127 Research Blvd), Solaris House (2800 Solaris Street), and The Olivine (8220 Research Blvd) run $1,500-1,900 for a one-bedroom. You’re paying for Hill Country proximity and access to the Arboretum’s established retail.

If outdoor access matters—hiking Bull Creek Greenbelt, paddleboarding Lake Austin, camping at Emma Long Metropolitan Park—the Research corridor puts you closer than anywhere else in North Austin. Limited apartment inventory means fewer options and less negotiating leverage, though.

Current Rent Prices by Corridor

Here’s what most apartment websites get wrong about North Austin pricing: they give you one number. “Average rent in North Austin: $1,450.” That’s meaningless.

Austin-wide one-bedroom averages vary from $1,099 to $1,527 depending on the source. The actual range in North Austin spans from $895 to $2,400 for a one-bedroom, depending on corridor, building age, and whether you’re calculating sticker price or net effective rent.

North Austin Rent by Unit Type and Corridor (January 2026)

Prices reflect base rent before concessions. Net effective rent may be 10-20% lower with current specials.

Net Effective Rent: The Number That Actually Matters

Most renters look at sticker price. That’s a mistake.

Net effective rent is what you actually pay per month after concessions get factored across your lease term:

Net Effective Rent = (Base Rent × Lease Months – Value of Concessions) ÷ Lease Months

Real example from Metric Boulevard: $1,400 base rent with 2 months free on a 12-month lease = $1,167 net effective. That’s a 17% discount from the advertised price.

Specials I’m Tracking (January 2026)

Domain Area: The Standard at Domain Northside (6 weeks free), Gallery at Domain (1 month free), Griffis at the Domain (1 month free + application fee waived)

Metric Boulevard / Kramer: Luca (10 weeks free + up to $1,000 off), Madison Northridge ($399-$699 first month), Twelve100 (8 weeks free on select units)

Tech Ridge / Scofield: Magnolia Scofield Ridge (up to 16 weeks free), The Kelsey at Scofield Farm (10 weeks free + $1,000 gift card), Broadstone North ATX (10 weeks free)

Highland / St. Johns: St. Johns West (2 months free), Medina Highlands (2 months free + fees waived)

Specials change frequently. Always verify current offers directly with properties.

Want help finding the best current deal? I track specials across 87+ North Austin properties daily. Get a free custom report matched to your budget and move date by filling in the form below:

Market Conditions: What This Means for North Austin Specifically

North Austin’s rental market in early 2026 sits in tenant-favorable territory. Austin’s vacancy rate reached approximately 10% in 2025—the highest in over 20 years. CoStar reports 65% of Austin apartment complexes offered concessions in 2025, and rents dropped approximately 17% from their 2022 peak.

North Austin feels this more than some areas because of the construction boom. Tech Ridge and Metric Boulevard saw dozens of new buildings open between 2020-2024. That supply needs tenants, which is why you’re seeing 10-16 weeks free at properties that offered nothing two years ago.

What you have right now: stronger concessions than 2023-2024 (when 2 weeks free was generous), more negotiating leverage on lease terms, and less pressure to apply immediately after touring.

What’s shifting: tech employment in Austin declined 1.6% at major companies and 4.9% at startups in 2024, moderating the hiring frenzy of 2021-2022. New construction continues through 2026, though deliveries are expected to drop 74% from 2025 levels.

The practical implication: you have breathing room. Unlike 2022-2023 when units disappeared within days, you can take time to tour multiple properties, compare net effective rents, and negotiate. Don’t rush into a lease because you’re afraid the unit will vanish.

Pet-Friendly Living in North Austin

About 80% of Austin rental listings allow pets. North Austin follows that trend, but details vary.

Standard costs: $200-500 deposit per pet (one-time) plus $25-50/month pet rent. Most properties cap at 2 pets.

Breed restrictions are common. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Chows, and German Shepherds frequently appear on restricted lists due to insurance requirements. Some properties work around this: Gallery at Domain and Madison Northridge have no breed restrictions or weight limits.

Best corridors for dogs: Metric Boulevard and Tech Ridge offer newer pet-friendly apartments near Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, which has an off-leash area and 15 miles of trails. The Domain has Domain Central Park with a dedicated dog area, but less outdoor space overall.

North Austin vs. Other Austin Areas

North Austin vs. South Austin

Choose North Austin if your job is in the tech corridor, you want newer construction, and you’re fine driving everywhere.

Choose apartments for rent in South Austin if you want walkable streets, local coffee shops over chains, and a neighborhood that feels like it evolved rather than being built.

North Austin vs. Round Rock

Round Rock ISD consistently ranks among Texas’s top districts. The district serves the Round Rock area while Austin ISD covers most of North Austin proper. Round Rock offers access to these schools with a slightly longer commute to the tech corridor.

Mistakes to Avoid in North Austin

Mistake #1: Treating “North Austin” as One Location

The property on Research Boulevard puts you 5-7 minutes from Apple’s campus. The property on North Lamar—also “North Austin”—puts you 20-25 minutes away in normal traffic, 35+ during rush hour.

Say you choose the North Lamar property to save $200/month. You’re adding 30 extra minutes of commuting daily. Over a year, that’s 120+ hours in your car. At any reasonable value of your time, the “savings” evaporates.

The fix: Map your actual commute from that specific property to your actual workplace. Test it during rush hour (8-9 AM, 4-6 PM).

Mistake #2: Comparing Sticker Prices Instead of Net Effective Rent

Property A at $1,400/month with 2 months free = $1,167 net effective. Property B at $1,300/month with nothing = $1,300 net effective. The “cheaper” property costs $1,596 more over the year.

The fix: Always calculate net effective rent before comparing. The formula: (Base Rent × Lease Months – Value of Concessions) ÷ Lease Months.

Mistake #3: Testing Commute Times at the Wrong Hour

You tour at 11 AM on a Tuesday. Fifteen-minute drive to the office. Perfect. Then you start the job. Your commute at 8 AM? Thirty-five minutes.

Highway 183, Mopac, and I-35 all become substantially slower during rush hour. Austin commuters lose an average of 83 hours per year to traffic delays.

The fix: Test the route during actual commute hours before signing.

Mistake #4: Expecting The Domain Vibe Outside The Domain

I’ve had clients tour The Domain, love it, then ask me to find something “like that but cheaper” on Metric Boulevard. It doesn’t exist.

The Domain works because it’s a self-contained mixed-use environment with retail, restaurants, and offices in walking distance. That’s why it costs $400-600 more per month. Metric Boulevard has nice apartments, but you walk outside to strip malls and parking lots. The surroundings are fundamentally different.

The fix: If walkability matters to you, either pay the Domain premium or consider a different part of Austin entirely. Metric Boulevard offers value, not lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the average rent for a 1-bedroom in North Austin?

It depends on corridor. North Lamar: $895-1,250. Metric Boulevard: $1,150-1,450. The Domain: $1,700-2,400. Quick benchmark: $1,200-1,400 gets a decent one-bedroom with modern finishes in most corridors outside The Domain.

How far is North Austin from downtown?

From Anderson Lane: 15-20 minutes in normal traffic, add 10-15 during rush hour. From Parmer Lane: 25-35 minutes normally, can exceed 45 during peak commute. North Austin is designed around tech employment in the north, not downtown commuting.

Is North Austin walkable?

No, with one exception. The Domain is genuinely walkable. Everywhere else requires a car. Capital Metro runs MetroRail from Crestview and Kramer stations to downtown, but service frequency makes it impractical for most schedules.

Which corridor is closest to Apple?

Research Boulevard and The Domain put you within 5-10 minutes of Apple’s campus. Metric Boulevard runs 10-15 minutes. Research Boulevard offers solid value with Domain-level proximity without Domain-level pricing.

What’s the best value corridor right now?

Three areas stand out: (1) Just south of The Domain on Kramer Lane and southern Metric Boulevard, (2) Tech Ridge with aggressive specials pushing net effective rent below $1,100, (3) West side of Walnut Creek Park with trail access and competitive pricing.

What’s the commute like during rush hour?

Expect delays on 183, Mopac, and I-35 during peak hours (7-9 AM, 4-6:30 PM). From Metric Boulevard to downtown during morning rush: plan for 25-35 minutes versus 15 minutes midday. The new 183 Express Lanes that opened in January 2026 offer a faster toll option. Morning commutes heading north into the tech corridor are generally lighter than evening commutes heading south.

Are there income-restricted affordable housing options?

Yes. Tax credit properties along North Lamar offer income-qualified units at below-market rates, often with 2x income requirements instead of 3x. If your household income qualifies (typically 60-80% of Area Median Income), these represent genuine opportunities. Check eligibility before touring since income limits change annually.

Can I rent in North Austin with credit challenges?

North Austin properties tend to be more flexible than Downtown or Domain-area buildings because they’re competing harder for tenants. If you’ve been denied elsewhere, Metric Boulevard and Tech Ridge corridors often have more accommodating screening. For guidance on credit, income requirements, and the application process, call us or fill out our form to get free help.

Ready to Find Your North Austin Apartment?

North Austin’s seven corridors each have their own inventory, pricing, and dynamics. If you want help navigating this market, contact me directly with your target move date, budget, and any concerns. I’ll send you a curated list of properties that actually fit.

For the full process on applications, timing, and negotiation, talk to an apartment expert about your situation.

About Ross Quade

Ross Quade started Austin Apartment Team and provides apartment locating services to help renters find their ideal home across the Austin metro area. He and his team have toured 500+ properties and helped hundreds of renters navigate Austin’s competitive rental market—all at no cost to you. Reach out online or text us and you’ll hear back within 15 minutes with personalized guidance from search to signed lease.

Pricing updated January 2026. Specials change frequently.