Westlake Hills
Welcome toThe neighborhood
Westlake Hills is an affluent suburb perched in the hills just west of downtown Austin and Lake Austin. Known for its luxury homes and sweeping Hill Country views, it offers a small‑town feel with quick access to the city. The neighborhood is served by the Eanes Independent School District, one of the most highly regarded districts in Texas. Westlake’s rolling topography, mature trees and proximity to Lake Austin make it one of the area’s most desirable addresses
Living in Westlake Hills
Westlake Hills is not a subdivision, a marketing name, or a ZIP code shorthand. It is an incorporated city — an independent municipality of roughly 3,700 residents with its own mayor, city council, police department, and zoning code, all within Travis County but governed entirely on its own terms. That legal autonomy has defined the character of this community for decades and is the single most important fact a buyer or seller needs to understand before entering the 78746 market.
The 78746 ZIP code anchoring Westlake and West Lake Hills is Austin's highest-priced market — with a 2026 year-to-date median sale price of approximately $2.39M, rising 9.1% year-over-year. Within the city of West Lake Hills proper, the median runs closer to $2.8M. The Hill Country topography — elevations of 500 to over 800 feet above sea level — creates the view lots and limestone bluff settings that define the most coveted properties.
Eanes ISD is the other cornerstone of Westlake Hills' enduring appeal. Consistently rated among Texas's top school districts, Eanes is the reason buyers choose $2.5M Westlake homes over $1.8M homes in equally attractive neighborhoods — and it's the reason property values have appreciated approximately 4–5% annually over the past fifteen years. Christie's International Real Estate is perfectly positioned to serve this market.
At a Glance · 2026
What makes Westlake Hills special
Incorporated City
Westlake Hills has its own government — strict zoning protects density, character, and property values in ways that City of Austin neighborhoods cannot guarantee. This governance structure is foundational to long-term value.
Hill Country Views
Elevations of 500–800+ feet create view lots with sweeping Hill Country vistas. These are among Austin's most consistently in-demand properties and sit at the top of the price range.
Eanes ISD
Westlake High School and Eanes ISD campuses are among Texas's highest-rated schools. Parents choose $2.5M Westlake homes over $1.8M alternatives specifically for Eanes — and that premium is structural.
Space & Privacy
Estate lots typically run 1–3+ acres. The sense of space and privacy at a 10-minute drive from downtown is genuinely rare — and irreplaceable at this price point anywhere in Austin.
Downtown in 10 Minutes
10–12 minutes to downtown Austin, Barton Springs Pool, and Lady Bird Lake. The Westlake commute is better than most buyers expect.
Christie's Advantage
Christie's International Real Estate is the ideal platform for Westlake listings — global luxury network, premium brand positioning, and Naomi's deep local knowledge create an unmatched marketing environment.
Where Westlake Hills residents spend their time
Dining & Coffee
- Zoe's Kitchen and local options on Bee Caves Road
- Estancia Churrascaria — upscale Brazilian steakhouse
- Trattoria Lisina — acclaimed Italian cuisine nearby
- Z'Tejas Grill — local Southwestern cuisine on Bee Caves
- Barton Creek Square area dining — broad selection nearby
- Downtown Austin — 10 minutes for any restaurant in the city
Parks & Outdoors
- Barton Springs Pool — spring-fed swimming, 10 minutes away
- Barton Creek Greenbelt — limestone canyon hiking access
- Lady Bird Lake Trail — 10-mile waterfront trail, 12 minutes
- Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve — nature preserve in the Westlake hills
- Westlake Beach on Lake Austin — waterfront access for some properties
Shopping & Daily Life
- Barton Creek Square Mall — major retail 10 minutes away
- Westbank Market and Randall's — neighborhood grocery options
- Whole Foods on S. Lamar — premium grocery 10 minutes
- Domain retail — 25 minutes north
- Downtown Austin boutiques and Second Street District
Schools
- Eanes ISD — consistently Texas's top-rated district
- Westlake High School — ranked among Texas's best
- Hill Country Middle School and Cedar Creek Middle School
- Valley View, Cedar Creek, Bridge Point, Barton Creek elementaries
- St. Andrew's Episcopal School — top private K-12 nearby
"Westlake Hills is the market where Christie's International Real Estate is most naturally at home — and where my local knowledge makes the biggest difference. Two properties a quarter mile apart can differ by millions based on view orientation, lot size, school feeder, and condition. Pricing a Westlake home off generic per-square-foot averages is how sellers leave money on the table. I price off the right comparables — and my Christie's network reaches the luxury buyer pool this market demands."
Who calls Westlake Hills home
C-Suite executives and tech leaders who want Austin's best address and best schools
Luxury buyers relocating from high-cost metros where $2.4M is a relative bargain
Established families for whom Eanes ISD is the primary driver of their home search
View buyers who want Hill Country panoramas at a 10-minute drive from downtown
Why People LoveWestlake HillsTop‑rated schools, breathtaking scenery and easy access to both downtown and outdoor recreation. Families choose Westlake Hills for its exemplary campuses (including Barton Creek, Bridge Point, Cedar Creek, Eanes, Forest Trail and Valley View elementaries; Hill Country and West Ridge middle schools; and Westlake High). Residents enjoy boating on Lake Austin, hiking in the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve and dining at upscale restaurants along Bee Cave Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
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About 5–6 miles; commute times are typically 10–20 minutes via the Loop 360 bridge or Westlake Drive.
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Large custom estates on wooded lots dominate, although smaller 1970s ranch homes and upscale condos are also present.
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Yes. Red Bud Isle, Mount Bonnell and Wild Basin Preserve are minutes away, and Lake Austin offers water sports and lakeside dining.
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