Neighborhood Comparison
Tarrytown vs Westlake
Tarrytown and Westlake are the two names luxury buyers weigh most often in West Austin. The deciding factors are usually schools, commute, and whether you want to be inside the city or just across the lake.
Tarrytown sits inside the City of Austin west of MoPac, in ZIP 78703 and Austin ISD, a few minutes from downtown. Westlake lies across Lake Austin to the southwest, served by the highly rated Eanes ISD, with a more suburban, hill-country feel.
Both reach the Lake Austin shoreline and both support eight-figure waterfront estates. The choice tends to come down to school district preference, proximity to downtown and UT, and whether you want established in-town streets or newer hillside acreage.
Side by side
Tarrytown and Westlake, compared
| Factor | Tarrytown | Westlake |
|---|---|---|
| Location | In-town, west of MoPac (78703) | Across the lake, southwest |
| School district | Austin ISD (Casis, Austin High) | Eanes ISD (top-rated) |
| Feel | Established, tree-lined, in-city | Suburban, hill-country, newer |
| Commute to downtown / UT | Short, often under 10 to 15 minutes | Longer, over the bridges |
| Lake Austin frontage | Yes, on select streets | Yes, extensive |
| Lot character | Quarter-acre and up, in-town | Larger hillside lots and acreage |
| Luxury ceiling | $8M to $15M+ waterfront | Comparable to higher waterfront |
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 Westlake?
Choose Tarrytown if you prioritize being inside Austin, a short hop to downtown and UT, walkable in-town streets, and Austin ISD with Casis Elementary.
Choose Westlake if Eanes ISD is your top priority and you prefer a newer, more suburban, hill-country setting with larger lots, accepting a longer drive into the city.
Good to know
Tarrytown vs Westlake, answered
- Is Westlake or Tarrytown better for schools?
- Both are excellent. Westlake is served by Eanes ISD, consistently one of the highest-rated districts in Texas. Tarrytown is in Austin ISD and zoned to Casis Elementary, which ranks in the top 5% of Texas schools, feeding O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School. Families often choose based on district philosophy and the specific campus; verify the current attendance zone for any address.
- Is Tarrytown closer to downtown Austin than Westlake?
- Yes. Tarrytown is inside the city west of MoPac and is typically a short drive to downtown and the University of Texas. Westlake is across Lake Austin to the southwest, so the commute is longer and crosses the river.
- Which has more expensive homes, Tarrytown or Westlake?
- Both reach eight figures on prime Lake Austin waterfront. Neighborhood-wide medians differ by year and source. The clearest distinction is character: Tarrytown is established in-town living, Westlake is newer suburban hill-country acreage. A specialist can compare current closed sales in each for your price range.
Related
Continue through Tarrytown
Work with Luke
Touring both? Let's compare honestly.
Luke Allen works across Tarrytown and Westlake 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