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Austin Neighborhood Guide
AUSTIN, TX · 78745
A small pocket at the northern end of 78745, between South Congress and South First with Ben White across the top. The closest-in corner of the ZIP, which is the whole argument for it. Mostly 1950s to 1970s single-story ranches, with teardowns and rebuilds scattered through the better streets. The schools are the trade.
Source: A per-foot read on the pocket, about $400/sq ft, Mike Vilece's own market commentary as of August 2026, not an MLS series. West Congress is smaller than a ZIP code, so there is no separate Unlock MLS median published for it the way there is for the ZIP-level areas on this site. Treat this as calibration, not a valuation. For current metro conditions see the Austin housing market data.
About $400 a square foot is my read, which on the 1,100 to 1,600 square foot houses that make up most of the pocket puts it roughly between $440,000 and $640,000. Note what that means: West Congress sits at or above the $474,950 median for 78745 as a whole, not below it. You are paying close to double the $213.84 metro rate per foot, and what you are buying with it is the location.
The schools are not highly ranked. Within 78745 the feeder families pay up for is Bowie, further south, and this is not that part of the ZIP. If you are buying here with school-age children that is the trade, and it is better made deliberately than discovered later. Confirm zoning by address rather than by neighborhood name.
Mostly 1950s to 1970s single-story ranches on flat lots, in the 1,100 to 1,600 square foot range, with teardowns and rebuilds scattered through the better streets. That mix is why two houses a block apart can look like different decades and price like it. Budget for the inspection on anything that has been flipped.
First-time buyers, investors, and young families. Those three weigh the school question very differently, which is most of what determines whether the pocket is right for you. Buyers without school-age children are getting the proximity without paying for the part they would not use.
No. West Congress is one pocket inside 78745, at the northern end. The ZIP as a whole runs a $474,950 median on 6,926 sales over the twelve months ending July 2026, and it covers Cherry Creek, Garrison Park and Manchaca as well. See the [Deep South Austin guide](/neighborhoods/deep-south-austin/) for the ZIP-level figures and the William Cannon split.
The highway is doing most of the work. Single-family in 78704 runs a $1,192,500 median against $474,950 for 78745, on the same twelve months. You are not buying a different city, you are buying the south side of Ben White. Walk the specific block before deciding the trade is worth it, because it varies street to street.
No pressure, no pitch. I'll tell you what fits and what doesn't, even when it costs me a sale.
Start the ConversationThe Relocation Guide sorts Austin into seven regions. These are the other South neighborhoods with a full guide on this site.
Neighborhood characterizations and any price bands above are Mike Vilece's own market commentary for the 2025–2026 edition, not verified market data. They need confirming for any specific property. This site does not host active listings, reach out and Mike will pull current inventory for you.