New Construction Homes in Manor, TX -- The 2026 Buyer's Guide

Bottom line: Manor new construction starts around $260K-$300K and runs to $600K — the most affordable new homes in Travis County, 15 minutes from Tesla Gigafactory, with 4 master-planned communities and 15+ competing builders.

I am a new construction consultant in the Austin metro and have saved my clients over $100,000 on new home purchases in 2026. Manor sits east of Austin along US-290 and SH-130, about 12-15 miles from downtown — and its 185% population growth over the last decade is not an accident. Four master-planned communities have brought national and regional builders head-to-head, which is exactly the kind of competition that benefits buyers. For the city-level overview, see the Manor new construction guide.

What Manor New Construction Costs Right Now

Manor is where Austin-area buyers go when they need a Travis County address, tech-corridor access, and a price tag that does not require a jumbo loan. Here is how the four major communities sort by entry price:

• Mustang Valley (KB Home) — $300K-$378K. 1,491-2,980 sqft, 3-4 beds. Most affordable community in Manor. $60/month HOA.
• Carillon (D.R. Horton, DRB, M/I Homes, Chesmar, Richmond American) — $300K-$510K. 1,590-3,739 sqft, 3-5 beds. Largest community with 5 competing builders.
• ShadowGlen (Meritage, Terrata, Perry Homes) — $300K-$600K. 1,148-3,500 sqft, 2-5 beds. Golf course, water park, on-site elementary.
• Lagos (Pulte, Tri Pointe, Ashton Woods) — $350K-$530K. 1,609-2,914 sqft, 3-5 beds. Lakes, modern architecture, on-site elementary.

The average new construction listing in Manor is in the $353K-$374K range — roughly 15-25% below comparable square footage in Pflugerville or Round Rock. That discount, combined with fast SH-130 access to Tesla and Samsung, is what keeps Manor’s absorption rate high even as the Austin metro cools in other submarkets.

For the metro-wide context, see the Austin new construction guide for 2026.

Top New Construction Communities in Manor

Carillon — Best for Builder Competition

Carillon accounts for roughly 44% of active new construction inventory in Manor, which makes it the market’s center of gravity. Five builders — D.R. Horton, DRB Homes, M/I Homes, Chesmar, and Richmond American — are actively selling here, which means you can walk multiple model homes in a single afternoon and create real competition between builders on price, incentives, and closing timelines.

Pricing runs from $300K to $510K across 1,590 to 3,739 sqft, covering most of the mid-range buyer spectrum. Amenities include a resort-style pool, pickleball courts, a food truck court, fitness center, and trails. The food truck court in particular differentiates Carillon from competitors and has become a community gathering point. For buyers who want to maximize negotiating leverage, starting with Carillon’s builder lineup and letting them compete is the right move.

D.R. Horton’s current offer through April 2026 includes up to $25,000 in flex cash toward closing costs, options, or upgrades on homes contracted before year-end and closing by January 31, 2027. That is meaningful money and worth confirming before you visit any other community.

Lagos — Best for Modern Architecture

Lagos brings three quality builders — Pulte, Tri Pointe, and Ashton Woods — into a community centered on lakes, ponds, and connected trails. Pricing starts at $350K and runs to $530K for 1,609-2,914 sqft floor plans. The community has its own elementary school on-site, which is a significant convenience differentiator for families.

Tri Pointe has been running “Hot Deal” pricing on select inventory, which signals they have completed homes they need to move. That is your best-case scenario as a buyer: a finished home the builder wants off their books creates real negotiating room on price, rate buydowns, and closing costs.

Pulte’s $2,000 hero incentive — extended to teachers, nurses, EMS, police, firefighters, and active and former military — is worth noting if you qualify. It stacks on top of other incentives in most cases, but confirm with the sales agent.

ShadowGlen — Best Amenities

ShadowGlen is Manor’s amenity leader. The community includes an 18-hole golf course, a water park with waterslides, two pools, a clubhouse, and on-site ShadowGlen Elementary School. Three builders are active: Meritage Homes, Terrata, and Perry Homes. Pricing spans the widest range of any Manor community — $300K to $600K — across 1,148 to 3,500 sqft and 2-5 bedroom floor plans.

A new 690-home phase launched in spring 2026, which means fresh lot selection, early-phase pricing, and builders who are motivated to establish sales momentum. New phases almost always produce the strongest incentives because builders need comps and velocity. If ShadowGlen’s amenity package appeals to you, the spring 2026 launch timing is as good as it gets.

Meritage Homes builds their standard energy-efficiency package into every home — sealed attic, spray foam insulation, Low-E windows — which typically saves $50-$100/month on utilities. Over a 5-year hold that adds up to $3,000-$6,000 in savings.

Mustang Valley — Most Affordable

Mustang Valley is KB Home’s entry in Manor, and it delivers the lowest entry prices of any major Manor community. Eleven floor plans ranging from 1,491 to 2,980 sqft are priced from $300K to $378K. The $60/month HOA is among the lowest of any master-planned community in the Austin metro. All homes are Energy Star certified.

KB Home’s build-to-order model means you configure your floor plan and finishes rather than buying a spec home. That gives you more control, but it also means 6-10 months to closing versus 30-60 days for a completed inventory home. Budget accordingly if you are working with a lease expiration date. The community is near Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park, which adds open space and recreational access at no premium.

School Districts Serving Manor New Construction

All four major Manor communities are zoned to Manor ISD. The district serves approximately 9,658 students across 17 schools. Academic performance is below state averages: math proficiency is around 22% versus 44% statewide, and reading proficiency is 37% versus 51% statewide. The district ranks in the bottom half of Texas school districts.

The straightforward take: Manor ISD is adequate, expanding with the city, and has ShadowGlen Elementary and Lagos’s on-site elementary as newer facilities. It is not a selling point for buyers who rank school district ratings at the top of their criteria list.

If school performance is a primary filter, Pflugerville ISD and Leander ISD communities are 15-20 minutes north. The trade-off is price: comparable new construction in Pflugerville ISD typically runs $50K-$100K more than Manor. Many families find that difference funds private tutoring, extracurriculars, or simply stays in their account. That is a personal calculation — but go into Manor with accurate expectations about the district.

What to Watch Out For in Manor New Construction

MUD taxes are significant here. Most Manor communities are in Municipal Utility Districts. Tax rates range from 1.77% to 2.37% of assessed value when MUD levies are included. On a $400K home, that is $7,080 to $9,480 per year in property taxes — a meaningful monthly payment difference versus what a lender’s pre-approval estimate shows. Always request the full MUD disclosure and ask for a Year 2 tax estimate based on expected assessed value, not the purchase price.

Manor ISD is below state average. The math: 22% math proficiency versus 44% statewide. If you are buying in Manor primarily for school quality, this is the wrong market. If school rankings are secondary to price, commute, or amenity access, Manor is defensible. Know which camp you are in before you commit.

SH-130 is a toll road. The fastest routes from Manor to Tesla, Samsung, and central Austin all involve SH-130. Budget $100-$175/month for tolls if you are commuting daily. US-290 is the free alternative, but it adds 10-15 minutes each way and runs through Austin’s east side congestion during peak hours.

Construction timelines vary. The spring 2026 ShadowGlen phase and active builds across all four communities mean Manor has construction traffic. Spec home inventory is available in all communities for buyers who need to close in 30-60 days, but to-build timelines run 6-12 months depending on the builder.

I wrote a detailed breakdown of the five costliest new construction mistakes in Austin — MUD taxes, builder base finishes, and four other expensive surprises that buyers routinely underestimate.

Commute Times from Manor

Manor’s US-290 and SH-130 access makes the east Austin tech corridor the natural employment target. Realistic drive times:

• Tesla Gigafactory (Del Valle) — 15 minutes via SH-130 south. This is Manor’s best commute story and a primary demand driver.
• Samsung (Austin) — 20 minutes via SH-130 north to US-290 east.
• Amazon fulfillment centers (east Austin/Del Valle) — 20 minutes via US-290 or SH-130.
• Dell (Round Rock) — 30 minutes via SH-130 north to I-35.
• Apple (northwest Austin) — 35 minutes via SH-130 to US-183 or Toll 45.
• Downtown Austin — 25-45 minutes via US-290 west. Traffic on US-290 through East Austin is the variable. SH-130 to I-35 south is a comparable alternative.

For buyers commuting to the Tesla-Samsung-Amazon corridor, Manor is one of the shortest commutes in the Travis County new construction market. That access is the primary reason Manor attracts tech workers who cannot afford or do not want to pay Pflugerville or Round Rock prices.

Current Builder Incentives in Manor

Manor builders are running meaningful incentive programs in spring 2026. Competition between 15+ builders across four communities creates ongoing pressure to keep incentives active.

D.R. Horton (Carillon): Up to $25,000 in flex cash toward closing costs, options, or upgrades on homes contracted between March 22, 2026, and December 31, 2026, with close by January 31, 2027. A separate $2,000 flex cash offer is available with any lender for buyers contracting by April 30, 2026. Confirm which offer applies to your target home.

Pulte (Lagos): $2,000 hero incentive for teachers, nurses, EMS, police, firefighters, and active and former military. Additional savings incentives on to-be-built homes vary by plan and lot. Rate buydowns available through Pulte Mortgage — confirm current terms.

Tri Pointe (Lagos): “Hot Deal” pricing on select inventory indicates completed homes with motivated pricing. These move fast — completed inventory in a desirable community at a discount typically clears within 2-4 weeks of listing.

Meritage Homes (ShadowGlen): Energy-efficiency packages included standard. Periodic closing cost credits and rate buydowns on quick-move-in homes. Confirm current availability — Meritage incentive programs rotate monthly.

KB Home (Mustang Valley): Build-to-order pricing with periodic design studio credits. KB Home’s model allows for more finish customization than most production builders, which can deliver better value than paying upgrade costs at other builders’ design centers.

Incentives change monthly and sometimes weekly on specific inventory. The full strategy for extracting maximum value from builder incentives is in my guide on how to save $5K-$30K+ on new construction in Austin.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Construction in Manor

How much do new construction homes cost in Manor, TX?

Manor is the most affordable new construction market in Travis County. Entry-level starts around $260K-$300K from KB Home and Terrata. Mid-range runs $350K-$500K at Carillon, Lagos, and ShadowGlen. The average is $353K-$374K, which is 15-25% below Pflugerville and Round Rock.

Which builders build new homes in Manor?

Manor has 15+ active builders across 4 major communities. National builders include D.R. Horton, KB Home, Pulte, M/I Homes, Meritage, Tri Pointe, Ashton Woods, and Richmond American. Regional Texas builders include Chesmar, DRB Homes, Terrata, and GFO Home.

Is Manor ISD a good school district?

Manor ISD is below the state average. Math proficiency is around 22% vs 44% statewide. The district is expanding with the city. For buyers where school rankings are a top priority, Pflugerville ISD or Leander ISD communities are 15-20 minutes north.

How far is Manor from Austin tech employers?

Tesla Gigafactory is about 15 minutes via SH-130. Samsung is 20 minutes. Amazon fulfillment centers are 20 minutes. Dell and Apple are 30-35 minutes. Downtown Austin is 25-45 minutes via US-290 or SH-130 toll.

Are there MUD taxes on Manor new construction?

Most Manor communities are in MUDs. Tax rates range from 1.77-2.37% of assessed value. On a $400K home that is $7,080-$9,480 per year. Always ask for the MUD disclosure and Year 2 tax estimate.

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Manor gives you the lowest new construction entry price in Travis County — 4 master-planned communities, 15+ builders competing for your business, and 15-minute access to Tesla Gigafactory. The school district and MUD taxes are real trade-offs. If those work within your priorities, Manor is one of the strongest value plays in the Austin metro right now. If you are evaluating Manor new construction, reach out or call me at (512) 766-3188 — I can walk you through which community and builder combination fits your budget, commute, and timeline. Start with the full Manor new construction guide for the complete picture.