Leander New Construction by Price Point -- What Your Budget Gets You in 2026

Bottom line: Leander new construction spans 9 active communities from $270K to $2M+, every one of them in Leander ISD — the highest-rated large school district in the Austin metro. No other city in the Austin area gives you this range inside a single top-tier district.

I am a new construction specialist at eXp Realty and have negotiated dozens of Leander contracts over the past three years. The question I hear most often is not “which community is best” but “what does my budget actually buy me?” That is what this guide answers. Nine communities, current pricing, and a straight comparison of what each price tier delivers. For the city-level overview, see the Leander new construction guide.

Under $350K — Entry-Level Leander ISD

The fact that you can get into Leander ISD for under $350K is remarkable. No other top-10 Austin suburb offers new construction at this price point inside a comparably rated district.

Palmera Ridge

Builders: Highland Homes, Perry Homes, Coventry Homes Pricing: From $270K to $688K Size: 1,500-3,500 sqft, 3-5 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD (Tarvin Elementary on-site)

Palmera Ridge is the only place in the Austin metro where you can buy a new Highland Homes or Perry Homes single-family house for under $300K and be in Leander ISD. The community sits on 426 acres and will eventually house around 1,000 homes, with two pools and two amenity centers already built and operating.

The multi-builder structure is an advantage. Highland Homes, Perry Homes, and Coventry each have their own model home and design center, which means you can comparison-shop three builders’ standard finishes, floor plans, and contract terms in a single trip. Highland Homes is my preference for build quality at this price tier, but Perry Homes has a loyal following for their floor plan selection.

Entry pricing in the $270s gets you roughly 1,500 sqft with 3 bedrooms. That is tight but functional for a couple or small family. The upper end of the Palmera Ridge range — $688K for Highland Homes on larger lots — competes directly with mid-range communities. The sweet spot is $320K-$450K for 1,800-2,400 sqft, where you get genuine space at a price that is hard to match anywhere in Leander ISD.

Note that 70-foot lot sections have moved to higher price tiers (currently from the high $800s), so budget buyers should focus on the 40- and 50-foot lot sections.

Deerbrooke Cottages

Builder: Chesmar Homes Pricing: $310K-$420K Size: 1,300-1,900 sqft, 2-3 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD

Deerbrooke Cottages is a detached condo product — you own the structure but not the land, which allows Chesmar to hit a price point that traditional single-family construction cannot. This is a lock-and-leave community, maintenance-included, which makes it attractive to buyers who travel frequently or want to minimize exterior upkeep.

At 1,300-1,900 sqft with 2-3 bedrooms, these are not large homes. They work best for buyers who prioritize location, school district, and low maintenance over square footage. The Leander ISD access at $310K is the draw. Resale dynamics for detached condos are different from single-family — your buyer pool at resale is narrower, which is worth factoring into a long-term hold decision.

$400K-$600K — The Family Home Sweet Spot

This is the price tier where Leander wins outright against every comparable Austin suburb. Four strong communities, all Leander ISD, with real differences in what each delivers.

Edgewood

Builder: M/I Homes Pricing: $430K-$620K Size: 1,900-3,300 sqft, 3-5 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD

Edgewood is M/I Homes’ Leander entry, and M/I runs a tighter operation than most production builders. Their standard finish package — engineered hardwood, quartz counters, smart home pre-wiring — comes in above the Pulte and D.R. Horton baseline without reaching the price premium of Toll Brothers or David Weekley.

The 1,900-3,300 sqft range covers a lot of ground. At $430K you are in the smaller plans with 3 bedrooms; at $620K you are in the 3,000+ sqft range with 5 bedrooms and a flex space. M/I Homes has been running incentives in 2026 across their Texas communities — ask specifically about their in-house lender rate offers, which have been competitive this year.

Hawkes Landing

Builder: Brightland Homes Pricing: $465K-$825K Size: 2,000-3,400 sqft, 3-5 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD

Hawkes Landing is Brightland Homes’ flagship Leander community, and two features make it stand out in the mid-range tier: available single-story floor plans and three-car garage options. Both are rare under $600K in Leander ISD. If you have parents or mobility concerns that require a single-level home, Hawkes Landing is worth visiting before anything else in this price range.

The lake views on select lots are real — not a marketing term for a retention pond. Certain homesites have genuine sightlines across the water. Premium lots carry premiums, but they hold value well at resale. Entry pricing starts at $465K for the smaller plans; the upper end of $825K approaches luxury territory on larger, lake-view lots.

Horizon Lake

Builder: Pulte Homes Pricing: $465K-$580K Size: 2,073-2,726 sqft, 4-5 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD

Horizon Lake is the pure value play in this price range. Pulte’s Nelson and Riverdale plans deliver 4-5 bedrooms in 2,073-2,726 sqft at a price point that no comparable builder matches in Leander ISD. If your priority is maximum square footage and bedroom count per dollar, Horizon Lake is the answer.

The trade-off is standard Pulte: both main plans put the primary bedroom upstairs. If a downstairs master is a requirement, this community does not work. The community includes a fishing pond and trails, which is more than adequate but modest compared to amenity-heavy communities like Travisso or Palmera Ridge.

For families who want Leander ISD quality and are not fixated on single-story or premium finishes, Horizon Lake delivers the best beds-and-baths value in the market right now.

Parkside Peninsula

Builder: Highland Homes Pricing: $490K-$680K (50-foot lots from $606K) Size: 2,100-3,400 sqft, 3-5 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD

Parkside Peninsula is a ~200-home Highland Homes community that delivers a tighter, more curated experience than a 1,000-lot master plan. Highland Homes’ build quality is a step above Pulte and D.R. Horton — better exterior brick and stone ratios, better standard interior finish packages, and a more disciplined design center process.

Entry pricing is around $490K for smaller floor plans on 40-foot lots; 50-foot lots start around $606K. For buyers who care about resale and build quality, the Highland Homes premium is usually worth it. The smaller community size also means you are not buying into a perpetual construction zone — Parkside Peninsula will finish faster than a 1,000-home master plan.

$500K-$800K — Toll Brothers Territory

Wildspring

Builder: Toll Brothers Pricing: From low $500s (Arbor Collection) to low $700s (Grove Collection) Size: 2,089-3,899+ sqft, 3-6 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD (Rouse High School)

Wildspring opened in late 2025 and is Toll Brothers’ most accessible Leander community — the Arbor Collection starts in the low $500s on 50-foot home sites, which is within reach for buyers who want Toll Brothers quality without the Travisso price tag. The Grove Collection on 60-foot sites starts in the low $700s.

Toll Brothers’ design center process is the clearest differentiator here. Where production builders give you a limited selection of finishes at set price points, Toll Brothers’ design center is more like a custom home experience — more options, better quality baseline, and design consultants who can help you make decisions that will hold value at resale.

The Rouse High School assignment is worth confirming against Travisso, which also zones to Leander ISD. Both are strong schools within the same district. Wildspring is located at 3616 Desert Marigold Drive in Leander.

At the Arbor Collection price point, Wildspring competes directly with Parkside Peninsula (Highland Homes) and the upper end of Hawkes Landing. Toll Brothers wins on finish quality; Highland Homes is competitive on lot size and community size. Visit both before deciding.

$600K-$2M+ — Luxury and Estate

Travisso

Builders: Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison Pricing: $600K-$2M+ across five collections Size: 2,679-6,021 sqft, 3-5 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD

Travisso is the benchmark luxury community in Leander and, by most measures, in the entire north Austin metro. Two builders, five Toll Brothers collections, and an amenity package that is genuinely hard to replicate:

• 9,200 sqft Palazzo Clubhouse with full kitchen and event space
• Resort-style pool and splash pad
• Tennis, pickleball, and bocce courts
• Yoga studio, fitness center, and fire pit
• Miles of hiking trails through Hill Country terrain

The five Toll Brothers collections cover a wide range:

Collection	Starting Price	Home Sites	Approx. Size
Siena	$699,995	60-foot	2,857-3,899 sqft
Naples	$828,995	70-foot	From 3,000+ sqft
Florence	$994,995	80-foot	3,385-5,667 sqft
Verona	$1.3M+	100-foot	3,991-6,021 sqft

Taylor Morrison also builds at Travisso, offering an additional set of floor plans and a different design center experience within the same community. The ability to compare two high-end builders side by side in the same master plan is a meaningful advantage.

The Hill Country topography here is real. Premium lots with western exposure and views across the Hill Country carry premiums of $50K-$100K or more. Those lots go early in each phase — if you see one you want, the window to act is usually short.

HOA fees at Travisso are higher than any other community on this list, reflecting the clubhouse maintenance, amenity operations, and landscape upkeep. Factor $200-$350/month into your budget comparison depending on your section.

Leander Estates

Builder: David Weekley Homes Pricing: From $775K (low $800s range currently) Size: 2,507-4,994 sqft, 3-5 bedrooms Schools: Leander ISD

Leander Estates is the estate lot option in Leander — one-acre homesites, ranch-style architecture, and David Weekley’s reputation for build quality and customer service. If you want land and space rather than resort amenities, this is the community.

Pricing starts in the low $800s for the smaller plans (around 2,700 sqft) and scales to over $1M for the larger 4,994 sqft floor plans. David Weekley’s design center is strong — they offer genuine structural options (casitas, detached garages, expanded outdoor living) that you cannot get from production builders at any price.

The one-acre lots mean genuine privacy and space between homes. That is a different lifestyle product than Travisso, which is denser despite its luxury positioning. Leander Estates is for buyers who want land first and amenities second.

David Weekley is running a $2,500 Design Center Selections incentive for hometown heroes (active firefighters, police officers, K-12 teachers, military) through June 30, 2026.

Price-Per-Square-Foot Comparison

The Leander market’s overall median price per square foot is approximately $243. Here is how each community compares:

Community	Starting Price	Starting Sqft	Est. $/sqft (base)
Palmera Ridge	$270K	~1,500 sqft	~$180
Deerbrooke Cottages	$310K	~1,300 sqft	~$238
Edgewood	$430K	~1,900 sqft	~$226
Horizon Lake	$465K	2,073 sqft	~$224
Hawkes Landing	$465K	~2,000 sqft	~$232
Parkside Peninsula	$490K	~2,100 sqft	~$233
Wildspring (Arbor)	Low $500s	2,089 sqft	~$240+
Travisso (Siena)	$700K	~2,857 sqft	~$245+
Leander Estates	$800K+	~2,700 sqft	~$296+

A few things these numbers do not show: Toll Brothers communities (Wildspring, Travisso) carry significantly higher standard finish levels, so the per-sqft premium buys real quality. David Weekley’s premium includes lot size (one acre) that is not reflected in the home’s square footage. Palmera Ridge’s low per-sqft is partly a function of smaller homes on smaller lots.

How Leander Compares to Other Cities at Each Price Point

At $270K-$350K: Leander vs. Pflugerville vs. Hutto

At this price point, Pflugerville (Pflugerville ISD) and Hutto (Hutto ISD) both offer production builder homes from D.R. Horton, LGI Homes, and Lennar. The home size and finish quality are comparable. The school district is not. Leander ISD consistently outperforms Pflugerville ISD and Hutto ISD on state accountability ratings, test scores, and graduation rates. If school district quality is a factor in your decision at all, Palmera Ridge at $270K is the clear choice even if it means a slightly longer commute.

At $465K-$600K: Leander vs. Round Rock

Round Rock ISD is a strong district — second only to Leander ISD among large districts in the metro. At the $465K-$600K price point, Round Rock offers communities like Morningstar (various builders) and Highlands at Mayfield Ranch. The pricing is comparable. Leander ISD has a slight edge in raw school ratings; Round Rock has a slight edge in proximity to downtown Austin (20-30 minutes vs. 30-45 minutes from Leander). For buyers who commute to the northwest tech corridor rather than downtown, Leander is the better trade-off.

At $700K-$1M+: Leander vs. Dripping Springs vs. Georgetown

At the luxury tier, Dripping Springs ISD and Georgetown (Georgetown ISD or Leander ISD depending on location) are the comparables. Dripping Springs offers Hill Country acreage products with a different character — more rural, farther west, longer commutes to tech employers. Georgetown offers similar pricing but with Georgetown ISD, which is good but does not carry Leander ISD’s resale premium. Travisso’s combination of Leander ISD zoning, Hill Country topography, and a resort amenity package is genuinely differentiated at this price tier. There is no direct equivalent in Dripping Springs or Georgetown.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leander New Construction by Price

What is the cheapest new construction in Leander ISD?

Palmera Ridge starts at $270K with Highland Homes for a 3-bedroom home in Leander ISD with on-site Tarvin Elementary. Deerbrooke Cottages offers detached condos from $310K. These are the only sub-$350K options in the top-rated Leander ISD.

How much does a family home cost in Leander new construction?

A 4-5 bedroom family home in Leander runs $430K-$650K at communities like Edgewood (MI Homes), Hawkes Landing (Brightland), Horizon Lake (Pulte), and Parkside Peninsula (Highland Homes). The $450K-$550K range is the sweet spot for most families.

What does luxury new construction cost in Leander?

Luxury starts at $530K at Wildspring (Toll Brothers) and ranges to $2M+ at Travisso (Toll Brothers and Taylor Morrison). Leander Estates by David Weekley offers one-acre lots from $775K. Travisso has the best amenity package in the north metro.

Is Leander ISD worth the premium over Pflugerville ISD?

Leander ISD is consistently the highest-rated large district in the Austin metro. The premium over comparable Pflugerville ISD communities is typically $50K-$100K. For families where school rankings drive the decision, the premium holds its value at resale — Leander ISD homes resell faster and at higher price-per-sqft than Pflugerville ISD equivalents.

Which Leander community has the best amenities?

Travisso has the best amenity package in Leander and arguably in the entire north Austin metro — a 9,200 sqft Palazzo Clubhouse, resort pool, splash pad, tennis, pickleball, bocce, yoga studio, fitness center, and hiking trails. Palmera Ridge has two pools and two amenity centers for a fraction of the price.

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Nine communities, $270K to $2M+, all Leander ISD. No other Austin suburb gives you this range inside a single top-tier school district. Whether your budget is $300K or $1.5M, there is a Leander community that fits it — the question is which one fits your priorities best.

If you want a straight answer on which community makes sense for your situation, reach out or call me at (512) 766-3188. I work with buyers across all nine communities and can walk you through current incentives, lot availability, and what each builder’s contract looks like before you walk into their sales office.

More reading:

• Full Leander new construction guide
• Austin new construction master guide — all cities compared
• Leander new construction buyer’s guide 2026
• 5 new construction mistakes Austin buyers make