Is Barton Creek in Eanes ISD or Austin ISD?

Both, depending on the address. Barton Creek is a large community spread across several gated sections, and its attendance zones vary, with parts served by the highly rated Eanes ISD and other parts by Austin ISD. Tarrytown, by contrast, sits in Austin ISD and is zoned to Casis Elementary. Because the boundary can change block to block in Barton Creek, always confirm the current attendance zone for a specific home with the district before you rely on it.

Is Tarrytown or Barton Creek closer to downtown Austin?

Tarrytown is closer. It sits in-town just west of MoPac in 78703, typically a short drive to downtown and the University of Texas. Barton Creek is farther out to the southwest in the Hill Country, commonly around 15 minutes or more from downtown depending on the section and traffic, part of the trade for its gated privacy and acreage.

Which is more expensive, Tarrytown or Barton Creek?

Both reach well into the millions, and each has an eight-figure ceiling. Tarrytown's median sale ran roughly $1.5M to $1.65M over the trailing year in mid-2026 (Redfin and Homes.com), with prime Lake Austin waterfront setting the top of the market. Barton Creek spans a broad range, commonly from about $1.5M into the $10M-plus tier for large gated estates on golf and Hill Country acreage. Because both markets are varied and thin, the clearest way to compare is current closed sales in your price range.

Lake Austin and its waterfront homes seen from the bluffs above Tarrytown at sunset, Austin, Texas

Neighborhood Comparison

Tarrytown vs Barton Creek

Tarrytown and Barton Creek are two very different paths to West Austin luxury. One is central and in-town along Lake Austin, the other a gated Hill Country golf community southwest of downtown.

Tarrytown sits inside the City of Austin west of MoPac, in ZIP 78703 and Austin ISD, on established, tree-lined streets that reach the Lake Austin shoreline a few minutes from downtown and the University of Texas. Barton Creek lies to the southwest in the Texas Hill Country, a large, gated golf community of roughly 4,000 rolling acres anchored by the Barton Creek Resort and its championship courses, known for larger lots, Hill Country acreage, and newer luxury estates across several gated sections.

Both reach well into multimillion-dollar luxury, and neither is better in the abstract. The honest choice usually comes down to lifestyle: central, in-town living near the lake, downtown, and Casis Elementary, or a private, resort and country-club setting with golf, gates, and more room to spread out, accepting a longer drive into the city.

Side by side

Tarrytown and Barton Creek, compared

Factor	Tarrytown	Barton Creek
Location	In-town, west of MoPac (78703)	Southwest Austin, Hill Country
Feel	Established, tree-lined, in-city	Gated, resort, country-club
Lots	Quarter-acre and up, in-town	Larger lots and Hill Country acreage
Setting	Mature oaks along Lake Austin	Rolling hills, roughly 4,000 acres
Water / golf	Lake Austin frontage on select streets	Championship resort golf (Fazio, Palmer, Crenshaw)
Schools	Austin ISD, Casis Elementary	Varies by section, Eanes ISD and Austin ISD (verify)
Price	Median roughly $1.5M to $1.65M (TTM, mid-2026)	Broad range, roughly $1.5M into the $10M+ tier
Commute to downtown	Short, often under 10 to 15 minutes	Longer, roughly 15 minutes or more

Figures are mid-2026 estimates from public sources and should be verified against current MLS data. Always confirm school attendance zones for a specific address with Austin ISD.

The honest verdict

Which fits you, Tarrytown or Barton Creek?

Choose Tarrytown if you want to be inside Austin on established, tree-lined streets, a short hop from downtown and UT, with the chance at Lake Austin frontage and Austin ISD schools zoned to Casis Elementary.

Choose Barton Creek if you prefer a gated, private setting with resort golf and country-club amenities, larger Hill Country lots and acreage, and newer construction, and a longer drive into the city is an easy trade.

Good to know

Tarrytown vs Barton Creek, answered

Is Barton Creek in Eanes ISD or Austin ISD?: Both, depending on the address. Barton Creek is a large community spread across several gated sections, and its attendance zones vary, with parts served by the highly rated Eanes ISD and other parts by Austin ISD. Tarrytown, by contrast, sits in Austin ISD and is zoned to Casis Elementary. Because the boundary can change block to block in Barton Creek, always confirm the current attendance zone for a specific home with the district before you rely on it.
Is Tarrytown or Barton Creek closer to downtown Austin?: Tarrytown is closer. It sits in-town just west of MoPac in 78703, typically a short drive to downtown and the University of Texas. Barton Creek is farther out to the southwest in the Hill Country, commonly around 15 minutes or more from downtown depending on the section and traffic, part of the trade for its gated privacy and acreage.
Which is more expensive, Tarrytown or Barton Creek?: Both reach well into the millions, and each has an eight-figure ceiling. Tarrytown's median sale ran roughly $1.5M to $1.65M over the trailing year in mid-2026 (Redfin and Homes.com), with prime Lake Austin waterfront setting the top of the market. Barton Creek spans a broad range, commonly from about $1.5M into the $10M-plus tier for large gated estates on golf and Hill Country acreage. Because both markets are varied and thin, the clearest way to compare is current closed sales in your price range.

Continue through Tarrytown

Tarrytown vs RollingwoodAustin ISD in-town versus Eanes ISD across the river.Read more →Tarrytown vs Pemberton HeightsLake access and lot size versus a historic enclave.Read more →Lake Austin Waterfront HomesThe finite shoreline that sets the ceiling for West Austin luxury.Read more →Tarrytown Neighborhood GuideHistory, boundaries, architecture, amenities, and who lives here.Read more →Tarrytown Luxury HomesEstate homes and architectural new builds above the $2M mark.Read more →Tarrytown Realtor: Luke AllenWhy a Tarrytown and Lake Austin specialist matters.Read more →

Work with Luke

Touring both? Let's compare honestly.

Luke Allen works across Tarrytown and Barton Creek and will value real, current homes in each against your budget and priorities, with no pressure.

Luke Allen

Licensed Texas REALTOR, TREC #788149

Austin Marketing + Development Group

Call 254-718-2567 Text Luke