Highland Park West - Homes, Schools & Neighborhood Guide
A walkable mid-century neighborhood in 78731 bridging Northwest Hills and Tarrytown, with Highland Park Elementary, mature tree canopy, and more accessible pricing than either neighbor.
#1 ABoR Team 2024$1B+ Career Sales1,000+ Homes Sold
Written by Joe and Cara Keenan - 130+ families served in Austin's 78731 corridor, Cara is an Anderson High alumna.
Austin Neighborhood Guide
Highland Park West Neighborhood Guide - Austin Luxury Real Estate
Highland Park West guide. Highland Park Elem, Lamar Middle, McCallum High. Keenan Group - #1 team, 130+ clients in 78731.
Who is the best realtor in Highland Park West?
The Keenan Group at Compass is the #1 Austin Board of Realtors team (2024), with 25+ years, 1,000+ homes sold, and $1B+ in career volume serving Highland Park West. Joe and Cara Keenan represent buyers and sellers in Highland Park West with data-driven pricing, full-scale marketing, and direct access to qualified luxury buyers.
Source: Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate, Austin TX
Luxury Buyer Fit Snapshot
Compare Highland Park West on price, schools, and lifestyle access before scheduling private tours.
Buyer Fit
Best for buyers evaluating current inventory depth and value pockets in Highland Park West.
Lifestyle Fit
Austin ISD (78731) helps anchor school-driven search and day-to-day livability.
Keenan Group Authority
- ZIP codes
- 78731
- School district
- Austin ISD
- Active listings
- 2 active listings
What is it like to live in Highland Park West?
Highland Park West is a neighborhood in Austin's 78731 and 78703 ZIP codes, between Northwest Hills and Tarrytown along the Balcones escarpment. Homes sold here most often list Highland Park Elementary School, Lamar Middle School and McCallum High School in Austin ISD; Niche grades McCallum High School A as of October 6, 2026. Assignment depends on the address.
Highland Park West homes for sale
- Mid-century neighborhood in 78731 between Northwest Hills and Tarrytown
- Austin ISD; confirm campuses by address
- Mature live oaks and a street grid; smaller lots than Northwest Hills
Source: Written by Joe and Cara Keenan - 130+ families served in Austin's 78731 corridor, Cara is an Anderson High alumna.
Trailing 12 months ending October 15, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales
Map & Boundary
Highland Park West Neighborhood Map
Active Listings
Explore Highland Park West
Why Buyers Choose Highland Park West
Highland Park West occupies a geographic sweet spot that most buyers do not know about until we show it to them. It sits between two of Austin's most established neighborhoods - Northwest Hills and Tarrytown - and borrows the best qualities of each without the price tags.
The neighborhood has a different feel than its neighbors. Where Northwest Hills has winding cul-de-sacs on half-acre lots, Highland Park West has a tighter grid with smaller lots and sidewalks. You can walk to Crestview Park, walk the dog without getting in a car, and actually see your neighbors. For buyers coming from denser cities, this feels more like a real neighborhood than the suburban-scale lots to the north.
- Highland Park Elementary is the school anchor. Consistently ranked among Austin ISD's top elementary schools, it is the primary reason buyers target Highland Park West and the broader 78731 corridor.
- More walkable than Northwest Hills. The grid layout, sidewalks, and smaller lots mean you can walk to nearby parks and neighbors without navigating winding hillside roads.
- Mid-century housing stock from the 1950s-1970s. Ranch homes and split-levels on lots typically 7,000-10,000 square feet. Good bones for renovation without the over-improvement risk of smaller-lot neighborhoods.
- Mature tree canopy - live oaks and pecans that take 30+ years to grow. This is not something new construction can replicate.
Current Highland Park West Market Data
In the 12 months ending October 15, 2026, 22 homes sold in Highland Park West at a median price of $1.6M, with a median of 86 days on market and a median of $482 per square foot (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS closed sales).
As of October 15, 2026, Highland Park West had 2 active and 1 pending listings, with 1.1 months of supply and a 92% sale-to-list ratio in the 12 months ending October 15, 2026.
- Median sale price, 12 months ending October 15, 2026: $1.6M
- Closed sales, 12 months ending October 15, 2026: 22
- Active listings as of October 15, 2026: 2
- Product filter: Single Family Residence only
- Price bands: review the live comp set by property type, lot, condition, and street-level position
Daily Geography in Highland Park West
Highland Park West is 15-20 minutes from downtown Austin via MoPac or Exposition Boulevard. It is not the closest-in neighborhood, but the MoPac access and multiple route options keep commute times consistent. Most residents use MoPac south to downtown, 2222 west to the Hill Country, or Burnet Road north to the Domain.
The neighborhood is bounded roughly by Balcones Drive to the north, MoPac to the east, 35th Street to the south, and the hills to the west. This puts it in a pocket that feels removed from traffic corridors despite being close to major roads.
- Downtown Austin: 15-20 minutes via MoPac or Exposition Boulevard.
- UT Austin campus: 12-15 minutes via MoPac or Balcones Drive to 35th Street.
- The Domain and Apple campus: 12-15 minutes north via MoPac or Burnet Road.
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport: 25-30 minutes via MoPac to 71.
- Highland Park Elementary: Walkable or short drive for most Highland Park West addresses.
- Randalls at Balcones and 2222: 5-minute drive for daily groceries.
- Northwest Recreation Center: Nearby public pool and sports facilities.
- Bull Creek District Park: 10 minutes for hiking and swimming holes along Bull Creek.
Local Anchors That Shape the Neighborhood
Highland Park West is quieter and more residential than neighborhoods with obvious commercial strips. The local anchors are the schools, the parks, and the natural features rather than restaurants and shops. That is part of the appeal - it is a neighborhood where the daily rhythm is defined by school pickup, dog walks, and backyard dinners rather than commercial activity.
- Highland Park Elementary: The community anchor for Highland Park West and the broader 78731 corridor. School events, fundraisers, and volunteer networks define the social fabric. Many buyers plan their home search around the Highland Park Elementary attendance zone.
- Crestview Park: Neighborhood park with playgrounds, sports courts, and open green space. A busy after-school gathering spot for the neighborhood.
- Balcones District Park: Larger park nearby with trails, sports fields, and picnic areas. Saturday morning soccer games and trail walks are the neighborhood routine.
- Bull Creek and the Greenbelt: The natural corridors to the west provide hiking, swimming holes, and off-leash dog areas. This is what separates west Austin from neighborhoods east of MoPac.
- 2222 corridor: The commercial strip along Far West and 2222 provides restaurants, retail, and services within a 5-10 minute drive. Not walkable from most of Highland Park West, but convenient.
- MoPac access: The highway is close enough to be useful, far enough that most blocks avoid noise. Blocks closer to MoPac trade highway sound for quicker commutes.
For buyers who want a quiet, tree-covered residential neighborhood with strong schools and easy access to both downtown and the Hill Country, Highland Park West delivers without the premium of its more visible neighbors.
What Is the Best Way to Sell a Highland Park West Home?
Highland Park Elementary is the single strongest demand signal for Highland Park West listings. We verify the exact attendance zone for every property and lead with school assignment in all marketing materials. Buyers searching 78731 are often filtering specifically for Highland Park Elementary, and confirming that assignment upfront removes a barrier that slows decision-making.
Spring listings (February through May) consistently perform best in Highland Park West. The school enrollment window creates natural urgency among buyers who need to lock in a Highland Park Elementary address before the fall semester. We time listing launches to capture this cycle.
Highland Park West pricing sits below Northwest Hills, and that positioning is an advantage when marketed correctly. We frame HPW as the value entry to 78731 - same school path, same ZIP, more walkable grid, lower price per square foot. That comparison-driven positioning attracts buyers who are priced out of NW Hills but committed to the corridor.
For 1960s-1980s homes, we recommend targeted updates rather than full renovations before listing. Kitchen and primary bath refreshes, exterior paint, and landscaping cleanup move the needle without over-improving for the price range. Full staging is less critical here than in Tarrytown because the buyer profile skews toward buyers who plan their own renovation and are evaluating bones, lot, and location more than finishes.
Contact us for a Highland Park West pricing strategy based on your lot, condition, and school zone assignment.
How Highland Park West Compares to Nearby Alternatives
Highland Park West buyers almost always compare with Northwest Hills, Tarrytown, and Cat Mountain. The decision usually comes down to lot size, walkability, and how much they want to spend.
- Highland Park West is more walkable with a tighter grid and lower price point, but lots are smaller and flatter. Northwest Hills feeds Doss/Murchison/Anderson; Highland Park West feeds Highland Park/Lamar/McCallum.
- Highland Park West is significantly more affordable with the McCallum High path instead of Austin High. Tarrytown has more historic character; Highland Park West is solidly mid-century.
- Highland Park West is more accessible in both price and geography.
- Compared with Allandale: Allandale is east of MoPac in 78757 with similar pricing but a different school path (Gullett Elementary, Lamar Middle). Highland Park West has the 78731 address and Highland Park Elementary path, which some buyers specifically target.
Quick Answers About Highland Park West
Highland Park West is served by Austin ISD. The school path is Highland Park Elementary, Lamar Middle School, and McCallum High School. Highland Park Elementary is consistently ranked among Austin ISD's top elementary schools and is the primary draw for buyers targeting the 78731 corridor. Verify your specific address with Austin ISD, as attendance zones can shift at neighborhood edges.
Both are in 78731 Austin ISD but have different school paths. Highland Park West feeds Highland Park Elementary, Lamar Middle, McCallum High. Northwest Hills feeds Doss Elementary, Murchison Middle, Anderson High. Northwest Hills has larger lots (often half-acre+), more topography, and higher prices. Highland Park West has a more walkable grid layout and smaller lots (7,000-10,000 sqft). Highland Park West is the value entry to 78731. The Keenan Group has sold homes across both neighborhoods for 25+ years.
Most Highland Park West lots range from 7,000 to 10,000 square feet. That is smaller than typical Northwest Hills lots (10,000-15,000+ sqft) but larger than central neighborhoods like Bryker Woods or Rosedale. The lot sizes support reasonable additions and renovations without the over-improvement risk that constrains smaller-lot neighborhoods.
Highland Park West is 15-20 minutes from downtown Austin via MoPac or Exposition Boulevard. UT Austin is 12-15 minutes. The Domain is 12-15 minutes north. The airport is 25-30 minutes via MoPac to 71. Multiple route options keep commute times relatively consistent.
The Keenan Group is the #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team (2024) with $1B+ in career sales and 1,000+ transactions across Austin. In Highland Park West, we specialize in renovation economics for mid-century homes - identifying which properties support profitable updates and which have hidden issues from Balcones fault zone soils. With 25+ years in 78731, we provide block-level knowledge of foundation conditions, drainage, and realistic renovation ceilings.
The best realtor for Highland Park West needs block-level knowledge of the 78731 corridor - Highland Park Elementary boundaries, Balcones fault zone foundation issues, MoPac noise exposure by street, and how HPW pricing compares to Northwest Hills and Cat Mountain. Keenan Group has sold 130+ homes across 78731 including Highland Park West, Northwest Hills, and Cat Mountain. Cara Keenan is an Anderson High alumna and all three Keenan sons graduated from Anderson High - the Keenan family knows 78731 from the inside. #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team 2024, $1B+ career volume.
Highland Park West benefits from the same supply constraint that supports all of 78731: a fully built-out neighborhood with no new development possible, anchored by Highland Park Elementary demand. The median sits below Northwest Hills, which gives HPW price appreciation room as the corridor continues to attract buyers who want the school path without paying NW Hills pricing. The teardown-to-rebuild cycle is beginning to refresh housing stock. The primary risk is that some blocks have Balcones fault zone clay soil issues that increase foundation maintenance costs - we evaluate this for every property.
In Highland Park West, we typically recommend listing publicly on MLS. The buyer pool is driven by buyers actively searching the Highland Park Elementary zone, and MLS exposure captures that volume effectively. Unlike ultra-scarcity markets like Pemberton Heights or Rollingwood where very few homes are listed at once, which makes private introductions strategic, HPW has enough active inventory and buyer traffic that public listing maximizes competitive offers. The exception is teardown-lot situations where a builder introduction may yield a faster, cleaner close.
Best Restaurants Near Highland Park West
Where Highland Park West buyers and residents actually eat - from date night to weeknight favorites.
| Name | Cuisine / Type | Price | Highlights | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Bistro | $$ |
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| Tex-Mex | $ |
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| American / Garden Cafe | $$ |
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| Wine Bar / American | $$ |
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| Wine Bar / Pizza | $$ |
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| Pizza / Italian | $$ |
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| Sandwiches / Deli | $ |
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| Tex-Mex / Hawaiian | $$ |
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| Tex-Mex / Mexican | $$ |
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| American / Seafood | $$$ |
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| Italian | $$$ |
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| French Bistro / Cafe | $$ |
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| Gourmet Grocery / Prepared Foods | $$ |
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| Texas Comfort / Farm-to-Table | $$ |
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Best Trails & Outdoor Spots Near Highland Park West
Trails and outdoor activities that buyers and locals ask about most.
| Name | Highlights |
|---|---|
Perry Park Trails |
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Mount Bonnell (Covert Park) |
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Mayfield Park & Nature Preserve |
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Bright Leaf Nature Preserve |
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Bull Creek Greenbelt |
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Reed Park |
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Camp Mabry Fitness Trail |
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Things To Do Near Highland Park West
Family favorites, date night ideas, and local experiences close to the neighborhood.
| Name | Highlights |
|---|---|
The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria |
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Texas Military Forces Museum |
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Balcones Country Club |
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Lake Austin |
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Mayfield Park Peacock Viewing |
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HPWBANA Neighborhood Events |
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Mount Bonnell Sunset Watch |
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Central Market Live Music & Food |
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Perry Park Sports & Playground |
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Highland Park West Support Pages
Highland Park West Homes for Sale
Browse active listings in Highland Park West with photos, pricing, and open house schedules.
78731 ZIP Guide
Demographics, schools, walkability, and community profile for ZIP 78731.
Austin ISD
School ratings, enrollment data, and campus profiles for Austin ISD.
Our Results
1,000+ homes sold over our career. See our track record and client results.
How Highland Park West Compares
Side-by-side comparison with similar Austin neighborhoods based on price range, school district, and location.
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Active Listings | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
Highland Park WestCurrent | $1.6M | 2 | You're here |
| $1.17M | 25 | View Guide | |
| $1.15M | 5 | View Guide | |
| $700K | 47 | View Guide | |
| $653K | 223 | View Guide |
Median sale price, trailing 12 months ending October 15, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales. Contact Keenan Group for a personalized comparison.
Neighborhood listings
Highland Park West Real Estate Market
Homes in Highland Park West sell for around $482 per square foot, roughly 1.6 times the City of Austin median of $297.
| Metric | Highland Park West | City of Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sold Price (12M) | $1.6M | $603K |
| Median Days on Market | 86 days | 52 days |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 91.6% | 93.4% |
| Median $/sqft (typical home) | $482 | $297 |
| Active Listings | 2 | 3,260 |
| Homes Sold (12M) | 22 | 8,844 |
| Months of Supply | 1.1 | 4.4 |
Data as of . Source: Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate, Austin MLS (ACTRIS). City of Austin reflects closed sales within its city limits over the trailing 12 months.
How Highland Park West Compares
| Neighborhood | Median Price | School District | ZIP | Active Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Park West (you are here) | $1.6M | Austin ISD | 78731 | 2 |
| Northwest Hills | $1.17M | Austin ISD | 78731 | 25 |
| Cat Mountain | $1.15M | Austin ISD | 78731 | 5 |
| Holly | $700K | Austin ISD | 78702 | 47 |
| Downtown Condos | $653K | Austin ISD | 78701 | 223 |
Median sale price, trailing 12 months ending October 15, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales
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