Updated
East Austin: Rents, Homes and Rail Access Next to Downtown
East Austin is the part of the city east of I-35, centered on ZIP 78702 between Lady Bird Lake and Manor Road. It mixes early-1900s bungalows, modern infill and mid-rise apartments, and about 48 percent of households rent (RentCafe, August 2026). Apartment rents averaged about $1,800 a month (RentCafe, August 2026), higher in the 78702 core.
What counts as East Austin?
East Austin most narrowly means the 78702 core, from I-35 east to the Airport Boulevard area and from Lady Bird Lake north to Manor Road and MLK Boulevard; broader definitions run from US 290 to SH 71 between I-35 and US 183.
The broad version takes in ZIPs 78721, 78722, 78723 and 78741 as well as 78702 (Austin Real Estate Homes Blog, September 2026). Within that area are smaller named neighborhoods, including Central East Austin, Holly, Rosewood, Govalle and East Cesar Chavez. Each has its own price level, so this page gives both the wide-area figures and the 78702 core figures.
How far is East Austin from the downtown core?
East Austin is about a 10-minute average peak drive from downtown Austin, according to a May 2026 commute guide (Grewal Realty Group).
No published rush-hour drive time from East Austin to The Domain was found as of September 2026. For a nearby reference point, Spyglass Realty's May 2026 driving guide puts Apple's Parmer Lane campus, north of The Domain, at 30 to 45 minutes from South and East Austin even in moderate traffic. For east-side employers the trip is shorter: the same guide places the Tesla Gigafactory about 15 to 20 minutes from East Austin neighborhoods (Spyglass Realty, May 2026).
Rail helps here. The CapMetro Red Line stops at Plaza Saltillo and MLK Jr. stations before reaching Downtown station, and CapMetro Rapid 837 runs along Manor Road into downtown.
Which apartment types and rent levels show up in East Austin?
East Austin apartments averaged about $1,800 a month across the broad area in RentCafe data updated August 31, 2026, with two-bedrooms near $2,040.
Table: East Austin (broad area) average apartment rent by unit size, RentCafe data updated August 31, 2026.
| Unit size | Average rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | about $1,340 |
| One-bedroom | about $1,700 |
| Two-bedroom | about $2,040 |
| Three-bedroom | about $2,340 |
The 78702 core runs higher. RentCafe placed Central East Austin at about $2,460 on average (RentCafe, August 31, 2026), and RentHop listings across 78702 ranged from roughly $1,540 for a studio to about $3,800 for a four-bedroom (RentHop, accessed September 2026).
Newer mid-rise buildings sit along East 6th, East 7th, Cesar Chavez and the rail corridor near Plaza Saltillo, and older fourplexes and converted houses fill in the residential blocks. Imperium Sky Realty compares current specials across participating communities, arranges tours and helps with application paperwork. The property pays our fee, not the renter.
What are buyers weighing in 78702 and the surrounding ZIPs?
Homes in East Austin's 78702 ZIP averaged about $790,000, or $513 per square foot, in September 2026 (HAR.com), within a broad-area range of about $100,000 to $2.5 million (Austin Real Estate Homes Blog, September 2026).
The same September 2026 area guide puts the broad East Austin median near $386 per square foot (Austin Real Estate Homes Blog). The stock runs from restored early-1900s bungalows and Victorians to modern infill. Lofts and condos above retail appear along the commercial corridors. Buyers comparing a condo with a detached house should look at HOA dues, parking and storage, and whether a second unit on the lot is permitted for rental use. Our agents can walk through the tradeoffs for a specific block.
Where are East Austin's trails and parks?
Lady Bird Lake forms East Austin's southern edge, with the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach on the north shore. The Boggy Creek Greenbelt runs about 1.6 miles from MLK Jr. Neighborhood Park down to 12th Street (The Goodwin, accessed September 2026).
Govalle Park is the planned southeastern trailhead of the Walnut Creek Regional Trail.
Institutions nearby: Huston-Tillotson University (a private university), the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center (a museum) and the Texas State Cemetery (a state cemetery), each just east of I-35.
Crime statistics for East Austin are published by the Austin Police Department; we link the same public source for every area we serve.
Which school district serves East Austin?
East Austin is in the Austin Independent School District. Confirm campus assignments for any address directly with Austin ISD.
How does a move to East Austin with Imperium Sky Realty work?
Tell Imperium Sky Realty your budget, move date and the commute you need. We shortlist East Austin buildings that match, confirm current pricing and specials, and book tours.
Buyers get an agent who can compare condos, attached homes and detached houses side by side.
East Austin FAQs
Which ZIP codes are considered East Austin?
East Austin's core ZIP is 78702; broader definitions add 78721, 78722, 78723 and 78741, covering the area from US 290 to SH 71 between I-35 and US 183.
Is there a train station in East Austin?
Yes. The CapMetro Red Line stops at Plaza Saltillo and MLK Jr. stations in East Austin before ending at Downtown station.
What does a two-bedroom rent for in East Austin?
A two-bedroom apartment in East Austin averaged about $2,040 a month across the broad area, per RentCafe data updated August 31, 2026; units in the 78702 core tend to cost more.
How long is the drive from East Austin to the Tesla Gigafactory?
The drive from East Austin neighborhoods to the Tesla Gigafactory is about 15 to 20 minutes, according to Spyglass Realty's May 2026 commute guide.
Which trail follows Boggy Creek in East Austin?
The Boggy Creek Greenbelt in East Austin runs about 1.6 miles from MLK Jr. Neighborhood Park south to 12th Street, passing Rosewood Neighborhood Park (The Goodwin, accessed September 2026).
Nearby areas
Guide