Austin New Construction Homes $500K-$750K: 2026 Guide

Bottom line: The $500K-$750K range is where Austin new construction gets serious. You move from production-grade homes into resort amenities, Toll Brothers design centers, 3-car garages, and the best school districts in the metro. Fifteen communities across Leander, Georgetown, Dripping Springs, Lake Travis, Round Rock, and Pflugerville compete for your money right now.

I am a new construction consultant in the Austin metro and have saved my clients over $100,000 on new home purchases in 2026 alone. This guide covers the communities where $500K-$750K buys the most house, the best lifestyle, or both. For the broader overview, see the complete Austin new construction guide.

What $500K-$750K Gets You vs. the Tier Below

If you have read my coverage of the sub-$500K market, the jump to $500K-$750K is not incremental. It is a different product:

• Size: 2,500-4,000 sqft vs. 1,600-2,400 sqft. Four to five bedrooms with a dedicated office or game room is standard.
• Builder quality: Toll Brothers, Perry Homes, David Weekley, and Highland Homes dominate this tier. These builders offer design center experiences where you select countertops, cabinets, fixtures, and flooring from hundreds of options — not the three-choice upgrade packages of entry-level builders.
• Amenities: Resort-style pools, tennis, pickleball, fitness centers, and hiking trails. Below $500K, you get a neighborhood pool. Above $500K, you get a clubhouse.
• School districts: Leander ISD, Georgetown ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, and Round Rock ISD all have strong inventory in this range. Below $500K, you are more likely zoned to Hutto ISD, Manor ISD, or Liberty Hill ISD.
• Garages: Three-car garages become common. Below $500K, you fight for a two-car.
• Lot sizes: 60- to 80-foot homesites. Some communities offer 90-foot lots or half-acre homesites at the top of the range.

The move-up buyer paying $500K-$750K is typically a second-time purchaser, a tech relocation from a higher-cost market, or a family outgrowing a starter home. Every community below targets that buyer.

Leander — The Move-Up Capital

Leander has more $500K-$750K new construction inventory than any other city in the Austin metro. Six communities compete in this range, and five of them zone to Leander ISD — one of the top-performing districts in Texas.

Wildspring by Toll Brothers

Wildspring opened in late 2025 and is Toll Brothers’ newest Leander community. The Arbor Collection starts from the low $500s, and the Grove Collection starts from the low $700s. Homes range from 2,089 to 3,899 sqft on 50- and 60-foot homesites. Three to six bedrooms, with Toll’s full design center experience.

Wildspring is the value entry point for Toll Brothers quality in Leander. You get the same design center, the same construction standards, and the same warranty as Travisso — without paying for a 9,200 sqft clubhouse. If your priority is the home itself rather than the resort amenities, Wildspring is the play.

Travisso by Toll Brothers and Taylor Morrison

Travisso is the flagship luxury community in Leander. The Toll Brothers Florence Collection is priced from the mid $600s, the Naples Collection from $949K, and the Siena Collection from $783K. Taylor Morrison builds here as well, starting in the mid $500s. For the $500K-$750K buyer, that means the Taylor Morrison homes and the lower-end Toll Brothers plans are in range.

The amenity package sets Travisso apart from every other community on this list: a 9,200 sqft Palazzo Clubhouse, resort pool, lap pool, tennis courts, pickleball, bocce ball, yoga studio, fitness center, fire pit lounge, and miles of hiking trails — all set on Hill Country topography with genuine views. The HOA reflects it, but you are paying for a lifestyle, not just a neighborhood.

For more detail on both communities, see the Leander new construction guide.

Other Leander Communities in Range

• Parkside Peninsula (Highland Homes) — $490K-$680K, 2,100-3,400 sqft, Leander ISD. Highland Homes is known for included features that other builders charge upgrades for.
• Hawkes Landing (Brightland) — $450K-$650K, 2,000-3,400 sqft, Leander ISD. Single-story focus with 3-car garages and lake views on select lots.
• Edgewood (MI Homes) — $430K-$620K, 1,900-3,300 sqft, Leander ISD. The upper range of Edgewood puts you in the $500K-$600K zone with solid square footage.
• Palmera Ridge (Perry Homes upper range) — Perry Homes plans at Palmera Ridge reach up to $688K, giving you Perry’s semi-custom quality and one of the strongest warranty programs in Texas.
• Leander Estates (David Weekley) — Starts at $775K, technically above this guide’s range, but worth mentioning for buyers near the top. One-acre lots, ranch-style living, 2,507-4,994 sqft. If you want land and a premium builder, this is the only option in Leander ISD.

The common thread: Leander ISD. Nearly every community above zones to it. The district serves over 42,000 students, with a 97% graduation rate and math/reading proficiency well above state averages. For families, Leander ISD is the anchor.

Georgetown — Trails and Space

Georgetown sits 30 miles north of downtown Austin along I-35 and appeals to buyers who want Georgetown ISD, a small-town downtown square, and proximity to the Samsung/Taylor corridor.

Wolf Ranch

Wolf Ranch is Georgetown’s largest master-planned community, built by Westin Homes and Perry Homes among others. Westin Homes starts at $650K on 55-foot homesites, with plans ranging from 3,306 to 3,800+ sqft. Perry Homes builds larger plans that reach $750K. The community has 13 miles of trails, a resort-style pool, an amenity center, and direct access to the Wolf Ranch Town Center for retail and dining.

Georgetown ISD is rated above-average statewide, and Wolf Ranch zones to some of the district’s newer schools. The Samsung manufacturing campus in nearby Taylor means a 20-25 minute commute for semiconductor workers — shorter than driving to most Austin office locations.

Parkside on the River

Parkside on the River by Taylor Morrison sits along the San Gabriel River, with homes from $464K to $700K and 2,000-3,500 sqft. The catch: it zones to Liberty Hill ISD, not Georgetown ISD. Liberty Hill ISD is growing fast but does not carry the same reputation as Georgetown ISD. If school district is your deciding factor, Wolf Ranch wins. If river setting and Taylor Morrison’s build quality matter more, Parkside on the River delivers at a lower price point.

Lake Travis Lifestyle — The Hollows

The Hollows in Jonestown is the only new construction community in the Austin metro with direct Lake Travis access, a full-service marina, and a beach club. If lake lifestyle is the priority, this is the only real option in new construction.

Coventry Homes builds here from the low $700s, with plans from 2,300 to 4,200 sqft. Drees Homes and Giddens Homes also build in The Hollows at higher price points. The community spans 1,400 acres of Hill Country terrain with two amenity centers, pools, hot tubs, pickleball courts, sport courts, 9 miles of hike and bike trails, and Lake Travis’ deepest-water marina through Nautical Boat Club.

The trade-off is the school district. Lago Vista ISD is a small district without the academic reputation of Leander ISD or Georgetown ISD. Families who prioritize school rankings should look elsewhere. But for empty nesters, remote workers, or families who value outdoor lifestyle over school metrics, The Hollows is hard to beat.

For comparison: lakefront resale in Lakeway runs $900K-$2M+ for similar square footage without the new-construction warranty or modern floor plans. The Hollows gives you lake access at a fraction of Lakeway pricing.

Hill Country Luxury — Headwaters at Dripping Springs

Headwaters is Toll Brothers’ flagship Hill Country community in Dripping Springs. Two collections serve the $500K-$750K buyer:

• Legacy Collection — From the mid $600s, 1,913-2,785+ sqft, 3-5 bed, 2-car garage. The entry point into Headwaters.
• Preserve Collection — From the mid $700s, 2,590-3,564+ sqft, 3-6 bed, 3-car garage. The top of the range covered in this guide.

Headwaters sits on rolling Hill Country terrain 30-40 minutes southwest of downtown Austin. The community amenity center includes fitness, tennis courts, hiking trails, and a resort pool. But the real draw is Dripping Springs ISD — consistently one of the top-rated school districts in the Austin metro and the state of Texas. If school performance is the single most important variable, Headwaters plus Dripping Springs ISD is the strongest combination on this list.

The downside: the commute. Dripping Springs is 35-45 minutes from most Austin employment centers, with limited highway options along US 290 and Ranch Road 12. Remote workers and hybrid employees are the natural fit. Daily commuters to north Austin or Round Rock should factor in 50+ minutes each way.

Round Rock and Pflugerville — Upper Range Value

Round Rock and Pflugerville are not traditionally $500K-$750K markets — most inventory is below $500K. But several communities push into the upper range with larger plans and premium lots.

Saul’s Ranch (Round Rock)

Saul’s Ranch by MileStone and Coventry Homes ranges from $420K to $620K, with 1,900-3,400 sqft and 3-5 beds. Round Rock ISD is the school district, and the upper-range plans in the $550K-$620K zone deliver strong value: Round Rock ISD quality, shorter commutes to Dell and Apple, and lower property tax rates than MUD-heavy communities in Leander.

Sonoma Heights (Austin)

Sonoma Heights by Coventry Homes is technically in Austin but zones to Round Rock ISD. Pricing runs $400K-$600K for 1,800-3,200 sqft. The upper range overlaps this guide and offers one of the shortest commutes to the north Austin tech corridor.

Grove at Blackhawk (Pflugerville)

Grove at Blackhawk by Chesmar Homes reaches $749K at the top, with 16 floor plans from 1,931-3,033 sqft. The amenity package is strong for Pflugerville — a lagoon pool and Olympic pool. Pflugerville ISD is the district. The upper-range Chesmar plans compete directly with Leander communities on square footage while offering a shorter commute to downtown Austin.

Trails at Carmel (Pflugerville)

Trails at Carmel by Ashton Woods reaches $705K at the top, with plans from 1,512 to 4,007 sqft. Ashton Woods is known for design-forward architecture that stands out from the typical production builder aesthetic. Pflugerville ISD.

Builder Comparison at This Price Tier

Not all builders are equal, and the $500K-$750K range is where the differences become obvious. Here is how the major builders at this tier compare:

Toll Brothers (Wildspring, Travisso, Headwaters) — The most extensive design center experience in Austin. You select everything from cabinet hardware to lighting fixtures to tile patterns. Toll Brothers homes feel custom because you make hundreds of individual selections. The downside: the design center process takes 4-8 hours across multiple visits, and it is easy to overspend on upgrades. Toll’s standard included features are mid-range; the premium finishes cost extra. One-year workmanship warranty, ten-year structural.

Perry Homes (Wolf Ranch, Palmera Ridge) — Perry offers a strong balance between customization and value. Their included features are typically a step above Toll’s base level, which means fewer upgrades needed. Perry’s contract terms are straightforward, and their warranty program is one of the best in Texas. The design center is less extensive than Toll’s but covers the essentials.

Highland Homes (Parkside Peninsula) — Known for including features that other builders charge as upgrades: granite or quartz countertops, stainless appliances, covered patios, and upgraded flooring. Highland’s value proposition is “less time in the design center because more is already included.” Good choice for buyers who do not want to spend hours picking every detail.

David Weekley Homes (Leander Estates) — The largest privately held builder in the country. David Weekley’s differentiator is customer service and the Personal Build Experience, where a dedicated team guides you from selection to closing. Their homes are typically well-designed with efficient floor plans. Higher starting price but fewer surprise costs.

Coventry Homes (The Hollows, Saul’s Ranch) — A Texas-based builder with deep roots in the Austin market. Coventry offers solid construction quality and a good warranty program. Their design center is mid-range — more options than entry-level builders but less extensive than Toll Brothers. Good value for the square footage.

Chesmar Homes (Grove at Blackhawk) — Chesmar is a Houston-based builder expanding in Austin. Known for clean, modern designs and energy efficiency. Their floor plans tend to be open and functional. Pricing is competitive for the included features.

When comparing builders, always request the base price sheet and the full included features list. A builder with a higher base price but more included features may cost less than a builder with a lower base price that requires $40K in design center upgrades to match. I walk every client through this comparison before they sign anything.

FAQ

This section is generated from the FAQ data above. For additional questions, see the complete Austin new construction guide or common new construction mistakes.

Next Steps

Fifteen communities, six cities, and a dozen builders all compete for the $500K-$750K buyer. The right choice depends on your school district priority, commute, lifestyle preferences, and which builder’s process fits how you want to buy.

Here is what I recommend:

1. Pick your school district first. Leander ISD, Georgetown ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, or Round Rock ISD — that single decision eliminates half the options and makes the rest clearer.
2. Visit communities with an agent registered. Do not walk into a sales office alone. Contact me before your first visit.
3. Compare builder included features, not just base price. I provide a side-by-side comparison for every client.
4. Understand the MUD and tax district. Several communities on this list sit in MUDs that add $2,500-$5,000/year to your tax bill. I flag every one.

I have represented buyers at every community listed above. If you want the full pricing breakdown, current incentives, and a builder comparison tailored to your priorities, reach out directly. I will save you time and money — that is not a sales pitch, it is what the data shows from every deal I have closed in 2026.

For more on new construction strategy, see upgrades with the highest ROI and mistakes to avoid.