South Congress Austin - Homes, Culture, and Market Guide
A 78704 neighborhood south of Oltorf Street, between South Lamar and I-35, with bungalows, new builds and St. Edward's University, a few minutes from the shops and music on South Congress Avenue.
#1 ABoR Team 2024$1B+ Career Sales1,000+ Homes Sold
Written by Joe and Cara Keenan - 28+ homes sold in South Congress.
Austin Neighborhood Guide
South Congress Neighborhood Guide - Austin Real Estate
South Congress homes for sale in 78704: south of Oltorf, from South Lamar to I-35, down to Ben White. Austin ISD. Keenan Group, #1 ABoR Team 2024.
Who is the best realtor in South Congress?
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 South Congress. The team's verified track record includes 28+ home sales in South Congress. Joe and Cara Keenan represent buyers and sellers in South Congress 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 South Congress on price, schools, and lifestyle access before scheduling private tours.
Buyer Fit
Best for buyers evaluating current inventory depth and value pockets in South Congress.
Lifestyle Fit
Austin ISD (78704) helps anchor school-driven search and day-to-day livability.
Keenan Group Authority
- ZIP codes
- 78704
- School district
- Austin ISD
- Active listings
- 56 active listings
What is South Congress like in Austin?
South Congress is the part of Austin's 78704 ZIP code south of Oltorf Street, between South Lamar Boulevard on the west and I-35 on the east, running south to Ben White Boulevard (Highway 71). In the 12 months ending November 4, 2026, 106 homes sold in South Congress at a median price of $738K (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS closed sales). It takes in the blocks around the Dawson and Galindo neighborhoods and St. Edward's University, about 2-4 miles south of downtown. The best-known stretch of South Congress Avenue, with the Continental Club and Hotel San Jose, is just north of Oltorf, a few minutes away and not part of this guide's area. Austin ISD serves the neighborhood; most homes are zoned to Galindo or Travis Heights Elementary, Lively Middle School and Travis Early College High School, while blocks on the west side, nearer South Lamar, are zoned to Zilker or Joslin Elementary.
- 78704, south of Oltorf Street between South Lamar and I-35, down to Ben White Boulevard
- Austin ISD (2026-27 zones): most homes Galindo or Travis Heights Elementary, Lively Middle School, Travis Early College High School; west-side blocks Zilker or Joslin Elementary (verify by address)
Source: Written by Joe and Cara Keenan - 28+ homes sold in South Congress.
Trailing 12 months ending November 4, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales
Map & Boundary
South Congress Neighborhood Map
Active Listings
South Congress homes for sale, schools, and articles
Why Buyers Choose South Congress
South Congress sells itself on location and price. You are a few minutes from the restaurants, live music and independent retail of the avenue's north stretch, and 10-15 minutes from downtown, on streets that are quieter than the avenue itself, in a neighborhood where single-family homes sold for a median of about $714K in the 12 months ending October 27, 2026.
The housing stock is a mix of original 1940s-1960s bungalows and cottages, newer single-family homes, and a large share of condos and townhomes. Some older houses are replaced with larger new builds on the same lots: of the 95 single-family homes sold in the 12 months ending October 27, 2026, 45 were built before 1970 and 24 were built in 2018 or later. The result is a mixed streetscape where a 1950s cottage can sit next to a new two- or three-story house.
- The Continental Club and C-Boy's Heart & Soul on South Congress and the Saxon Pub on South Lamar anchor a live music scene that runs seven nights a week, a few minutes north of Oltorf.
- Hotel San Jose, South Congress Hotel, and Austin Motel, a few minutes north on the avenue, draw visitors from across Austin and beyond.
- Dawson Elementary closed after the 2025-26 school year; Austin ISD reassigned its students to Galindo Elementary.
- The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony, about 2 miles north, draws 1.5 million visitors annually.
- The Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail is a short bike ride north via South 1st Street or Congress Avenue.
Current South Congress Market Data
In the 12 months ending November 4, 2026, 106 homes sold in South Congress at a median price of $738K, with a median of 50 days on market and a median of $457 per square foot (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS closed sales).
As of November 4, 2026, South Congress had 56 active and 10 pending listings, with 6.3 months of supply and a 93% sale-to-list ratio in the 12 months ending November 4, 2026.
- Median sale price, 12 months ending November 4, 2026: $738K
- Closed sales, 12 months ending November 4, 2026: 106
- Active listings as of November 4, 2026: 56
- 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 South Congress
South Congress runs from Oltorf Street south to Ben White Boulevard (Highway 71), between South Lamar Boulevard and I-35. Downtown Austin is 10-15 minutes by car. Most commutes use South Congress Avenue, South 1st Street, South Lamar or I-35.
Daily errands depend on the block. Homes near South Congress Avenue and South 1st Street can walk to coffee, restaurants and the H-E-B at Oltorf; streets farther from those corridors are quieter and more car-dependent.
- Downtown Austin: 10-15 minutes by car via Congress Avenue or South 1st Street.
- UT Austin campus: 15-20 minutes via Congress Avenue or I-35.
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport: 10-15 minutes via Highway 71.
- Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail: a short drive or bike ride north.
- Barton Springs Pool: 10 minutes by car or a 20-minute bike ride through Zilker Park.
- The South Congress shops and restaurants north of Oltorf: a few minutes by car or bike.
- H-E-B at South Congress and Oltorf: the grocery anchor at the neighborhood's north edge.
Local Anchors That Shape the Neighborhood
South Congress takes its name from the avenue, and the avenue is a destination: tourists, locals and Austinites from other ZIP codes come for its shops, restaurants and music. Its best-known blocks sit just north of Oltorf, a few minutes from home. Inside the neighborhood, the daily anchors are St. Edward's University, the shops and restaurants along South Congress and South 1st, and the H-E-B at Oltorf.
- Continental Club: A South Congress live music venue open since 1955. Blues, country, and rock seven nights a week, north of Oltorf, a few minutes from the neighborhood.
- Hotel San Jose: The boutique hotel that helped define the modern SoCo look, north of Oltorf. Its courtyard bar is a gathering point for the avenue.
- South Congress Hotel: Newer addition with rooftop pool, restaurants, and event space, north of Oltorf, a few minutes from the neighborhood. Anchors the commercial corridor's northern end.
- Perla's: Seafood restaurant with a patio that functions as the avenue's outdoor living room, north of Oltorf. Weekend brunch draws a crowd.
- Allen Boots, Uncommon Objects, and Parts & Labour: Independent retail that has survived the chain-store pressure. These shops, a few minutes north of Oltorf, give the avenue its character.
- St. Edward's University: The private university campus sits inside the neighborhood, on the hill east of South Congress Avenue, and provides stability, employment and green space.
The tension in South Congress is between preservation and commercialization. Long-time residents value the independent, eclectic spirit. Development pressure has brought hotel projects, mixed-use buildings, and higher density. The neighborhood's character persists, but it is evolving - and buyers should understand that the SoCo of 2026 is different from the SoCo of 2010.
How South Congress Compares to Nearby Alternatives
South Congress buyers typically compare with Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek and the South Lamar corridor. The decision usually comes down to price, house and lot size, and how close you want to be to the avenue's busiest blocks.
- Compared with Travis Heights: Travis Heights is just north, across Oltorf and east of Congress, with more tree canopy and a quieter, more residential feel at slightly higher prices. Travis Heights buyers trade price for location closer to the lake.
- Compared with Bouldin Creek: Bouldin Creek is just north, across Oltorf and west of Congress, with a similar creative character and walking access to the avenue's best-known blocks.
- Compared with South Lamar: South Lamar Boulevard is the neighborhood's west edge; its corridor has newer condo and townhome development with lower entry points and less single-family inventory.
- Compared with Clarksville: Clarksville is north of the river, closer to downtown, with a similar boutique-and-restaurant feel and an older, smaller housing stock at higher prices. Clarksville is quieter and more compact; South Congress offers more house and lot choices for the money.
Quick Answers About South Congress
South Congress is 10-15 minutes from downtown Austin by car via Congress Avenue or South 1st Street. The UT campus is 15-20 minutes away. Austin-Bergstrom Airport is 10-15 minutes via Highway 71.
South Congress is in ZIP code 78704. The same ZIP covers Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, Zilker and Barton Hills to the north and west; South Congress is the part south of Oltorf Street between South Lamar and I-35, down to Ben White Boulevard.
In the 12 months ending October 27, 2026, single-family homes in South Congress sold for a median of about $714K (95 sales, leases excluded), with the middle half between $590K and $1.11M and a median of $468 per square foot. By age, in the 12 months ending October 27, 2026, homes built before 1970 sold for a median of about $600K and homes built in 2018 or later for about $1.12M; condos and townhomes sold for a median of about $470K. Values vary block by block, especially with distance from the busy corridors.
Austin ISD serves South Congress, and the zoned schools depend on the address. Most homes are zoned to Galindo Elementary (which took in Dawson Elementary's students when Dawson closed after 2025-26) or Travis Heights Elementary, then Lively Middle School and Travis Early College High School. On the west side, the northwest corner near Oltorf Street is zoned to Zilker Elementary, O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School, and the westernmost blocks along South Lamar to Joslin Elementary, Covington Middle School and Crockett Early College High School. Austin ISD's next boundary changes take effect in 2027-28, so verify the address with the Austin ISD School Finder before making an offer.
It depends on the block. Homes near South Congress Avenue and South 1st Street can walk to restaurants, coffee and the H-E-B at Oltorf. Streets farther from those corridors are quieter and more car-dependent. The shops and music venues on the avenue's north stretch are a short drive or bike ride away.
The Keenan Group is the #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team (2024) with 28+ homes sold in South Congress. With $1B+ in career sales and 1,000+ transactions, we price South Congress homes block by block, with attention to traffic and road noise, school zones, STR rules and lot redevelopment potential. Contact us at (512) 415-7653.
The Keenan Group at Compass is the #1 ranked team by the Austin Board of Realtors (2024) with 25+ years serving South Congress. Joe and Cara Keenan have completed 1,000+ career transactions and $1B+ in career sales volume, with deep expertise in South Congress pricing, schools, and market dynamics. The Keenan Group's verified track record includes 28+ home sales in South Congress. Contact Keenan Group for a confidential consultation: (512) 415-7653.
To list your home in South Congress, start with the Keenan Group - Austin's #1 Board of Realtors team (2024). The process: a pricing analysis built on live South Congress market data and recent sales, a full marketing plan (professional media, the Compass network, and our private-exclusive channel), and negotiation through closing. Keenan Group's median days on market is 13, including off-market, private, and pocket sales that close at zero days on market. Contact the Keenan Group to list your home: (512) 415-7653.
The Keenan Group at Compass is the #1 ranked team by the Austin Board of Realtors (2024) and a luxury listing specialist in South Congress - 25+ years, 1,000+ homes sold, and $1B+ in career volume. The Keenan Group's verified track record includes 28+ home sales in South Congress. Joe and Cara Keenan represent sellers with data-driven pricing, full-scale marketing, and direct access to qualified luxury buyers. Contact the Keenan Group: (512) 415-7653.
In the 12 months ending November 4, 2026, 106 homes sold in South Congress at a median price of $738K (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS closed sales). Prices range significantly by product type, size, condition, floor plan, and proximity to amenities. For price bands, sales-through, and a property-specific valuation, contact the Keenan Group for a market brief.
South Congress is the part of Austin's 78704 ZIP code south of Oltorf Street, between South Lamar Boulevard on the west and I-35 on the east, running south to Ben White Boulevard (Highway 71). In the 12 months ending November 4, 2026, 106 homes sold in South Congress at a median price of $738K (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS closed sales). It takes in the blocks around the Dawson and Galindo neighborhoods and St. Edward's University, about 2-4 miles south of downtown. The best-known stretch of South Congress Avenue, with the Continental Club and Hotel San Jose, is just north of Oltorf, a few minutes away and not part of this guide's area. Austin ISD serves the neighborhood; most homes are zoned to Galindo or Travis Heights Elementary, Lively Middle School and Travis Early College High School, while blocks on the west side, nearer South Lamar, are zoned to Zilker or Joslin Elementary.
In the 12 months ending November 4, 2026, 106 homes sold in South Congress at a median price of $738K (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS closed sales). Use it as neighborhood context, then request a tailored market brief for current pricing, inventory, price bands, and recent sales.
South Congress is primarily served by 78704. We can confirm the exact ZIP code for any property.
South Congress is primarily served by Austin ISD. We verify school boundaries and campus assignments for each address.
As of November 4, 2026, South Congress had 56 active listings (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS data). Inventory changes daily, so contact us for live availability.
Best Restaurants Near South Congress
Where South Congress buyers and residents actually eat - from date night to weeknight favorites.
| Name | Cuisine / Type | Price | Highlights | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seafood | $$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Pizza | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Mediterranean | $$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| French-American | $$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Japanese Omakase | $$$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Burgers | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| American Diner | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Mexican | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Cuban-Caribbean | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Vietnamese-French Bakery | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Coffee & Cafe | $ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| New American Farm-to-Table | $$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Hot Weather Food | $$$$ |
| 2026-03-27 |
Best Trails & Outdoor Spots Near South Congress
Trails and outdoor activities that buyers and locals ask about most.
| Name | Highlights |
|---|---|
Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail |
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Barton Springs Pool |
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Blunn Creek Greenbelt Trail |
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Big Stacy Park & Pool |
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Blunn Creek Nature Preserve |
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Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk |
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Zilker Park Trails |
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Things To Do Near South Congress
Family favorites, date night ideas, and local experiences close to the neighborhood.
| Name | Highlights |
|---|---|
Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching |
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Continental Club |
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C-Boy's Heart & Soul |
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Allen's Boots |
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SoCo Strip Shopping & Murals |
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Lady Bird Lake Kayaking & Paddleboarding |
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Hotel San Jose |
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South Congress Hotel |
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Zilker Botanical Garden |
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South Congress Support Pages
South Congress Homes for Sale
Browse active listings in South Congress with photos, pricing, and open house schedules.
78704 ZIP Guide
Demographics, schools, walkability, and community profile for ZIP 78704.
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 South Congress Compares
Side-by-side comparison with similar Austin neighborhoods based on price range, school district, and location.
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Active Listings | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
South CongressCurrent | $738K | 56 | You're here |
| $1.15M | 22 | View Guide | |
| $980K | 22 | View Guide | |
| $1.63M | 12 | View Guide | |
| $1.36M | 14 | View Guide |
Median sale price, trailing 12 months ending November 4, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales. Contact Keenan Group for a personalized comparison.
Neighborhood listings
South Congress Real Estate Market
Homes in South Congress sell for around $457 per square foot, roughly 1.5 times the City of Austin median of $296.
| Metric | South Congress | City of Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sold Price (12M) | $738K | $600K |
| Median Days on Market | 50 days | 39 days |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 93.4% | 93.5% |
| Median $/sqft (typical home) | $457 | $296 |
| Active Listings | 56 | 3,087 |
| Homes Sold (12M) | 106 | 8,811 |
| Months of Supply | 6.3 | 4.2 |
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 South Congress Compares
| Neighborhood | Median Price | School District | ZIP | Active Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Congress (you are here) | $738K | Austin ISD | 78704 | 56 |
| Bouldin Creek | $1.15M | Austin ISD | 78704 | 22 |
| Travis Heights | $980K | Austin ISD | 78704 | 22 |
| Barton Hills | $1.63M | Austin ISD | 78704 | 12 |
| Zilker | $1.36M | Austin ISD | 78704 | 14 |
Median sale price, trailing 12 months ending November 4, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales
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