Ed Neuhaus 
If you’re thinking about moving to Bee Cave, Texas, you’re not alone. This Hill Country town 12 miles west of Austin has become one of the top relocation destinations for people leaving California, New York, and other high-cost states.
I get it. You’ve done the math on your mortgage payment, your state income tax bill, and your quality of life. The numbers don’t lie. Texas keeps winning that equation.
But here’s what most out-of-state buyers don’t realize: not all Austin suburbs are created equal. Bee Cave sits in a sweet spot that’s hard to find elsewhere. You get Hill Country scenery, top-rated schools, and a 30-minute commute to downtown Austin. That combination doesn’t exist in most places.
Here’s everything you need to know before making the move.
Why Bee Cave? The 30-Second Pitch
Bee Cave delivers what most relocators are actually looking for: space, safety, great schools, and access to a major city without living in one.
The town has about 9,000 residents. Median household income sits around $113,000. The vibe is upscale but not pretentious. Think families, professionals, and retirees who want peace and quiet without giving up convenience.
In April 2023, Bee Cave became an International Dark-Sky Community. That means the city actively limits light pollution. You can actually see stars here. For people coming from major metros, that alone is a selling point.
The real draw? Location. You’re close enough to Austin to grab dinner on South Congress or catch a show at ACL Live. But you come home to rolling hills, oak trees, and actual quiet.
Location and Getting Around
Bee Cave sits 12 miles west of downtown Austin along Highway 71. If you’re commuting into the city, expect 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and where you’re headed.
The Domain, Austin’s north-side hub for tech offices and shopping, is about 20 to 25 minutes away. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 35 minutes southeast.
Highway 71 and Ranch Road 620 are your main arteries. Both can get congested during rush hour, but compared to what you’re used to in LA or the Bay Area, it’s manageable.
Here’s the real kicker for out-of-state movers: Texas has no state income tax. If you’re coming from California, New York, or New Jersey, you’re looking at an immediate 5% to 13% raise just by changing your address. That’s not a gimmick. That’s real money back in your pocket every paycheck.
The tradeoff is property taxes, which run higher than the national average. I’ll cover that in a minute.
Cost of Living: What to Expect
Bee Cave’s cost of living runs about 3% to 14% higher than the Texas average, depending on how you measure it. But here’s the context that matters: it’s still significantly cheaper than most coastal metros.
Housing is the big variable. Median home prices in Bee Cave hover around $900,000 to $1 million. That’s luxury pricing for Texas. But if you’re coming from San Francisco, Seattle, or Manhattan, you already know what a million dollars buys you there. Spoiler: not much.
In Bee Cave, that budget gets you a 3,000+ square foot home on a half-acre lot with Hill Country views. Different ballgame.
Groceries, dining, and transportation costs are reasonable. Healthcare costs are slightly above average. Overall, you’ll spend less here than in most major coastal cities, especially when you factor in the income tax savings.
Now the property tax reality check. Texas property taxes average around 1.6% to 2% of assessed value annually. On a $900,000 home, that’s $14,000 to $18,000 per year. It’s not nothing. But when you run the full calculation against California or New York taxes, most people still come out ahead.
Schools: Lake Travis ISD
If you have kids, this is probably your top priority. Good news: Lake Travis ISD is one of the best districts in the Austin area.
The district earned an overall “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency in 2025. That’s the highest grade available.
Lake Travis High School ranks in the top 10% of all public high schools in Texas. The numbers back it up: 68% of students score proficient in math, compared to the 44% state average. Reading proficiency hits 72%, well above the 51% state average.
According to Niche, Lake Travis ISD ranks as the third-best school district in the Austin metro area. The district serves about 13,000 students across 11 campuses.
Elementary options include Lake Travis Elementary, Bee Cave Elementary, and several others depending on your neighborhood. Middle schoolers feed into Lake Travis Middle School or Hudson Bend Middle School.
For families relocating with school-age kids, this district is a major draw. It’s a big part of why Bee Cave home values stay strong.
Bee Cave Neighborhoods: Where to Look
Bee Cave has several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price point. Here’s the quick breakdown.
Spanish Oaks is the top-tier luxury option. This is a 24/7 guard-gated community adjacent to the Spanish Oaks Golf Club. Homes here are large, lots are generous, and prices typically start above $1.5 million. If you want privacy, security, and a prestigious address, this is it.
Falconhead is popular with families. The neighborhood has its own golf course, hiking and biking trails, and a strong community feel. Prices are more accessible than Spanish Oaks, generally ranging from the $600s to over $1 million depending on the home. Falconhead West has a 3.6-mile primitive trail system built right into the neighborhood.
The Homestead features Mediterranean-style estates on manicured lots, many with hilltop views. It’s another upscale option with a distinct architectural style.
Sweetwater is family-oriented with parks, pools, and a tight-knit community vibe. It’s a solid choice for buyers who want amenities and a neighborhood where kids ride bikes and neighbors know each other.
Lake Pointe and The Uplands round out the options with additional variety in price and style.
All of these neighborhoods fall within the 78738 zip code. If you want to see what’s currently on the market, browse homes for sale in 78738 here.
Things to Do: Hill Country Lifestyle
This is where Bee Cave really shines. The lifestyle here revolves around the outdoors, and you have options.
Lake Travis is the anchor. It’s one of the largest lakes in Texas with over 270 miles of shoreline. Boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, fishing. Whatever you’re into, the lake delivers. Pace Bend Park on the west side has nine miles of shoreline, limestone cliffs, and some of the best sunset views in the region.
Hiking is everywhere. Milton Reimers Ranch Park covers 2,427 acres with woodland trails, exposed limestone bluffs, and over 300 rock climbing routes. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is nearby for more trail options. Even within Bee Cave, Falconhead West has its own trail system for quick after-work hikes.
Day trip destinations are close by. Hamilton Pool Preserve, about 10 miles west, is one of the most photographed swimming holes in Texas. The collapsed canyon and 50-foot waterfall are worth the trip. Reservations are required in summer. Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center offers 76 acres of grottos, trails, and nature programs.
For everyday convenience, Hill Country Galleria is Bee Cave’s de facto downtown. It’s an open-air shopping and dining center with Whole Foods, restaurants, a movie theater, and retail. The city library and city hall are located there too.
The Bee Cave Sculpture Park is a hidden gem. Seven acres of trails winding through native oak trees, a spring-fed pond, and rotating sculpture installations. It’s free and open to the public.
If you want adventure, Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is about 30 minutes away. It’s the longest and fastest zipline in Texas.
The Real Estate Market in 2026
The Bee Cave market is competitive but stable. Here’s what you’re working with.
Median home prices currently range from $900,000 to just over $1 million, depending on the time of year and specific neighborhood. Prices appreciated about 6.9% year-over-year in early 2025. The market has cooled from the frenzy of 2021-2022, but demand remains strong.
Inventory has increased compared to the ultra-tight pandemic years. Homes are sitting on the market for about 30 days on average. That gives buyers more time to make decisions without the panic bidding wars of a few years ago.
What does your budget buy? In the $600,000 to $800,000 range, you’ll find updated homes in neighborhoods like Falconhead. From $800,000 to $1.2 million, you’re looking at larger homes with premium lots and finishes. Above $1.5 million, you’re in Spanish Oaks territory or custom homes with acreage.
For comparison, that same $1 million buys you a fixer-upper in a mediocre school district in most coastal California cities. Here, it gets you a turnkey home in an A-rated school district with Hill Country views.
Ready to see what’s available? View current Bee Cave homes for sale.
Tips for Out-of-State Buyers
A few things to know before you pull the trigger.
Visit first if you can. Virtual tours are great, but nothing replaces walking the neighborhood, driving the commute at rush hour, and getting a feel for the community. If you can’t visit, work with a local agent who knows Bee Cave inside and out.
Understand property taxes. I mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating. Texas property taxes are higher than what you might be used to. Budget accordingly. The upside is you’re not paying state income tax, so run the full calculation.
Check HOA rules. Most Bee Cave neighborhoods are master-planned communities with HOAs. Fees range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars per year. Some HOAs are stricter than others about landscaping, exterior changes, and rentals. Know what you’re signing up for.
Timeline matters. If you’re relocating for a job, coordinate with your employer on start dates. If you have kids, align your move with the school calendar. Lake Travis ISD starts in mid-August.
Work with someone local. The Austin metro market moves fast, and Bee Cave has its own micro-dynamics. Having an agent who lives and works in this area makes a difference.
The Bottom Line
Moving to Bee Cave, Texas puts you in one of the most desirable spots in the Austin metro. Hill Country scenery. Top-rated schools. Strong home values. A real community feel. And you’re still 30 minutes from everything Austin offers.
For out-of-state relocators, it’s the rare place that delivers on the Texas promise without compromise. You get the lifestyle upgrade and the financial math works.
If you’re ready to explore your options, start browsing Bee Cave homes here.
