Neighborhood Comparison
Tarrytown vs Pemberton Heights
Pemberton Heights is Tarrytown's elegant neighbor to the east, and the two are easy to confuse. The differences come down to lake access, lot size, and architectural era.
Pemberton Heights is a historic, architecturally distinguished neighborhood just east of Tarrytown, developed by the same Enfield Realty lineage and known for grand 1920s and 1930s homes. Tarrytown reaches west to Lake Austin and tends toward larger lots and a wider range of eras, including extensive new construction.
Both are blue-chip West Austin addresses. The decision usually hinges on whether you want lake access and bigger lots (Tarrytown) or a tighter, intensely historic enclave closer to downtown (Pemberton Heights).
Side by side
Tarrytown and Pemberton Heights, compared
| Factor | Tarrytown | Pemberton Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | West to Lake Austin (78703) | East of Tarrytown, near MoPac |
| Architecture | Tudor, Colonial, Spanish, modern new builds | Grand 1920s to 1930s period homes |
| Typical lot | Larger, some lakefront | Generous but more uniform |
| Lake Austin access | Yes, on select streets | No direct frontage |
| Elementary | Casis Elementary | Casis or Bryker Woods (verify zone) |
| Feel | Larger, varied, lake-oriented | Intimate, historic, prestigious |
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 Pemberton Heights?
Choose Tarrytown if you want the possibility of Lake Austin frontage, larger lots, and a wider mix of architecture including new construction.
Choose Pemberton Heights if you are drawn to a tightly knit, intensely historic enclave of grand period homes just minutes from downtown, and lake access is not a priority.
Good to know
Tarrytown vs Pemberton Heights, answered
- Is Pemberton Heights part of Tarrytown?
- No. Pemberton Heights is a separate, adjacent neighborhood just east of Tarrytown in West Austin. This site treats them as distinct, with Tarrytown defined as the area west of MoPac toward Lake Austin in ZIP 78703. The two are frequently shortlisted together because both are prestigious Old West Austin addresses.
- Which has bigger lots, Tarrytown or Pemberton Heights?
- Tarrytown generally offers a wider range of lot sizes, including larger and lakefront parcels on streets like Scenic Drive. Pemberton Heights lots are generous but more uniform, set within a tighter historic grid.
- Do Tarrytown and Pemberton Heights share schools?
- They can overlap. Much of the area is zoned to Casis Elementary, though parts of Pemberton Heights may fall in the Bryker Woods Elementary zone. Both feed O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School in Austin ISD. Always confirm the current attendance boundary for a specific address with Austin ISD.
Related
Continue through Tarrytown
Work with Luke
Touring both? Let's compare honestly.
Luke Allen works across Tarrytown and Pemberton Heights 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