10 Best Renter-Friendly ZIP Codes in Austin, TX

Austin, TX, is a popular destination for those seeking a vibrant culture, delicious food, and warm weather. Austin also tops the list of markets in the U.S. that favor renting, with the median rent for a studio to two bedrooms at $1,670 as of August 2023 rental data.

But where in Austin, exactly, are the best places to rent? With so many options to choose from, renting in Austin requires careful consideration of proximity to work, school districts, and safety.

That’s why we looked into a combination of Claritas Pop-Facts Demographics 2023 and Realtor.com rental data to identify the top 10 renter-friendly ZIP codes across the Austin metro area. (We’re defining renter-friendliness by which ZIP codes have a higher share of renters compared with homeowners.) We’ll also show which neighborhoods to check out within each ZIP code, with information on median rent, demographics, and more.

• Median rent: $2,200
• Median age of renters: 37.6
• Median household income: $61,534
• Share of renters: 83.54%
• Share of homeowners: 16.46%

First on the list is ZIP code 78741. Most of the population are between 15 to 24 years old. However, there’s also a relatively large population of renters between 65 and 74, which indicates this can be a great location for a variety of ages.

There are a handful of restaurants and coffee shops to check out, but you might find yourself commuting to nearby neighborhoods to get a wider variety of options. While these amenities are limited, rentals here are close to trails, parks, and the Colorado River—making it easy to explore nature or take your furry pet on a long walk.

There aren’t as many rental listings in 78741, but most of the ones that are available also allow pets. It’s important to note that some areas might be more prone to flooding, so check flood maps when searching for an apartment.

• Median rent: $1,950
• Median age of renters: 34.5
• Median household income: $70,801
• Share of renters: 75.55%
• Share of homeowners: 24.45%

ZIP code 78751 offers relatively affordable rentals, with various restaurants, coffee shops, and highways nearby. Specifically, Hyde Park—a neighborhood within this ZIP code—is packed with historic attractions and vintage charm that help it stand out.

If you’re attending the University of Texas at Austin but want to live off campus, this could be an ideal area. A large population of students and young professionals call this ZIP code home because of its affordability and availability of restaurants.

Based on the latest inventory, most available listings allow cats, dogs, or a combination of both.

• Median rent: $1,947
• Median age of renters: 39.5
• Median household income: $66,205
• Share of renters: 74.47%
• Share of homeowners: 25.53%

This ZIP code, which includes North Austin, Quail Creek, and North Park Estates, offers both affordable and higher-end rentals. This area is close to the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, a local favorite that offers opportunities to play sports or hike, and features pet-friendly areas.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll be happy to hear that well-reviewed restaurants are nearby, including Bodhi Viet Vegan, BackDraft Pizzeria, and Beirut.

• Median rent: $1,525
• Median age of renters: 23.1
• Median household income: $23,392
• Share of renters: 89.41%
• Share of homeowners: 10.59%

Neighborhoods within ZIP code 78705 are often considered the best places to live. Why? For one, there are a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores nearby—all of which you can explore more using the Realtor.com RealView map feature, which will bring up Yelp reviews of local businesses.

Compared with the other listed ZIP codes, the average age of renters here is the youngest, at 23.1, most likely due to the proximity to the University of Texas at Austin.

Most available listings on Realtor.com allow cats and/or dogs. And you can easily access bike lanes if you want to avoid traffic or don’t plan on using your car much.

• Median rent: $3,150
• Median age of renters: 38.3
• Median household income: $140,060
• Share of renters: 64.60%
• Share of homeowners: 35.50%

The 78701 ZIP code includes the neighborhoods of downtown Austin, the Financial District, and Raine Street Historic District. The Texas State Capitol is located within this ZIP code, so the area has a calmer vibe than other listed ZIP codes. However, this could be a great spot for renters who want to be close to their job in downtown Austin.

Rentals here generally have a higher price tag, with the median rent at $3,150. The good news is that these rentals are mere minutes from a variety of office buildings and top-rated restaurants. So while you might spend more on rent, you’ll spend less time in traffic.

• Median rent: $2,025
• Median age of renters: 41.5
• Median household income: $63,665
• Share of renters: 63.69%
• Share of homeowners: 36.31%

If you’re looking for family-friendly neighborhoods, ZIP code 78753 is the one to check out. Among all of the listed ZIP codes, this area had the highest population of households with kids.

There are also many schools to choose from—varying from elementary to high school to private. If you use our RealView feature during your home search, you can see what homes each school serves and their GreatSchools Rating based on what other parents have to say. You can also use this tool to determine which neighborhoods make sense based on price, nearby schools, and noise levels.

• Median rent: $2,150
• Median age of renters: 40.4
• Median household income: $110, 371
• Share of renters: 59.84%
• Share of homeowners: 40.16%

If you’re looking for a slower-paced environment, it might be worth checking out ZIP code 78729. While it lacks some of the amenities of other ZIPs, the neighborhoods here are close to major highways, making commuting to other locations easier. There are also various parks to visit with your furry friends, and schools for families.

• Median rent: $2,750
• Median age of renters: 40.4
• Median household income: $84.945
• Share of renters: 58.46%
• Share of homeowners: 41.54%

Like the ZIP code above, 78726 offers a quieter renting experience. This area might not be ideal for families looking to be close to more than one school, considering there are limited options. However, for renters who prefer to be away from the city and enjoy the slower pace of a suburb, this area could be just what you’re looking for.

• Median rent: $2,322
• Median age of renters: 42.3
• Median household income: $96,279
• Share of renters: 56.48%
• Share of homeowners: 43.52%

Next to popular neighborhoods like North Loop and Hyde Park, ZIP code 78756 offers tons to do with various rental listing options. The population is generally younger, which could make this a good location for renters who prefer a more mature version of their college town.

Despite the share of renters being slightly higher than homeowners, there are still various options to choose from that are close to schools, popular amenities, and more. Traffic is also relatively light in this area, meaning it’s easy to get around with a car.

• Median rent: $2,495
• Median age of renters: 40.6
• Median household income: $95,880
• Share of renters: 54.31%
• Share of homeowners: 45.69%

ZIP code 78759 could be ideal for older renters who are looking to retire or rent in a senior community. Noise levels might be higher if the rental is located near highways, but the area overall ranks low in noise levels. There are tons of amenities to check out close to Gateway and Hardrock Canyon, but there aren’t many options close to Great Hills.

The area is close to popular neighborhoods like North Austin, so it’s relatively easy to commute to more options.

The city of Austin offers neighborhoods with varying characteristics, making it easy for all renters to find their next home. Now that you’ve learned more about the top renter-friendly ZIP codes, visit Realtor.com to aid in your rental search.

You can access oodles of listings that can be filtered by price, move-in date, beds, baths, pet-friendliness, and more. Get started on your search today.