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Best Places to Retire Near Austin
County by county — Travis, Williamson & Hays · Verified 2026-06-10
Rank the Austin-area counties for YOUR priorities — free tool →The Austin area is one of the most popular retirement destinations in Texas — Georgetown, Round Rock, and the Hill Country towns south of the city land on national "best places to retire" lists year after year. It's built on real strengths: good hospitals, plenty to do, and the Hill Country an easy drive away. The honest trade-off is cost, because Austin-area property taxes and home prices sit near the top of the state. Here's how the three counties that make up the metro compare.
The Austin-area counties
| County | Retiree towns | Avg property tax | Cost of living | Hospital rating | 95°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis County | Austin | $6,783 | 99 | 4/5 | 110 |
| Williamson County | Round Rock, Georgetown | $7,238 | 99 | 4.1/5 | 108 |
| Hays County | San Marcos, Kyle | $6,208 | 99 | 3.9/5 | 112 |
Travis is Austin proper; Williamson is the northern suburbs (Georgetown, Round Rock, Leander); Hays is the southern, Hill-Country side (San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley).
How to think about it
Williamson County (Georgetown, Round Rock) is the classic retiree pick — established suburbs, strong healthcare, but the highest property taxes of the three at about $7,238/yr. Travis County puts you in Austin itself with the best access to hospitals and amenities, at a similar tax bill. Hays County (San Marcos, Wimberley) leans into the Hill Country, a little more relaxed, though it's grown fast and isn't the bargain it once was. All three lean expensive; the over-65 tax breaks matter more here than almost anywhere.
Compare all three against the whole state — run the free tool →Common Questions
Is Austin a good place to retire?
The Austin area draws retirees for its healthcare, culture, and Hill Country scenery, and towns like Georgetown and Round Rock (Williamson County) regularly land on "best places to retire" lists. The trade-off is cost: Austin-area property taxes are among the highest in Texas — Travis County averages about $6,783/yr and Williamson about $7,238/yr.
Which Austin suburb is best for retirees?
It depends on budget and pace. Georgetown and Round Rock (Williamson County) are the classic retiree suburbs — established, amenity-rich, strong healthcare access. San Marcos and Kyle (Hays County) sit toward the Hill Country and can run a bit less. All are in the counties compared below; the free tool ranks them for your priorities.
Are property taxes high around Austin?
Yes — the Austin metro carries some of the highest property taxes in Texas, driven by rising home values. Williamson County averages roughly $7,238/yr and Travis about $6,783/yr. If you're 65+, the over-65 exemption and school-tax freeze take a meaningful bite out of that.
Explore the counties
Texas Hill Country guide → · Retiring in Texas: full guide → · All 30 county profiles →