Market Overview for Bee Cave
There are 30 active listings in Bee Cave with a median list price of $1.1M and a median sold price of $859K.
Homes average 27 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 10 homes have sold, with 95 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $364.
About Bee Cave
Bee Cave is a city of approximately 9,000 residents in western Travis County, located along SH-71 about 18 miles west of downtown Austin. The city sits in the Hill Country terrain where Barton Creek and the Pedernales River watersheds intersect, surrounded by limestone hills, juniper, and live oak woodland. Bee Cave was a small ranching crossroads for most of its history before the opening of Hill Country Galleria in 2007 spurred rapid commercial and residential growth in the area. The city's name references historical bee colonies that inhabited limestone caves and overhangs along Barton Creek.
Residential real estate in Bee Cave ranges from townhomes and smaller-lot homes near the Galleria to large custom homes on multi-acre tracts deeper into the surrounding Hill Country. Communities like Falconhead, Spanish Oaks, and Lake Pointe offer established neighborhoods with access to golf courses, community pools, and green space. Median home prices are well above the Austin metro average, reflecting the area's proximity to Lake Travis, the quality of Lake Travis ISD schools, and the Hill Country setting. New construction continues in pockets, though available land within city limits has become more limited as the area approaches buildout.
Children in most of Bee Cave attend Lake Travis ISD schools, which serves about 11,000 students and is among the higher-rated districts in Central Texas by test scores and college readiness metrics. Campuses include Bee Cave Elementary, Lake Travis Middle School, and Lake Travis High School, whose football program has won multiple state championships and draws significant community support. The district consistently posts above-average standardized test results and college enrollment rates. Several private, Montessori, and faith-based preschools serve younger children in the Bee Cave and Lakeway area.
SH-71 is the main east-west route, connecting Bee Cave to US-290 and Loop 360 heading toward central Austin. The commute to downtown Austin ranges from 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and route. RR 620 runs north toward Lakeway and the Mansfield Dam area of Lake Travis. Hill Country Galleria serves as the commercial and social center of the city, anchored by retail stores, restaurants, a Cinemark movie theater, and outdoor event space that hosts concerts and seasonal festivals. Nearby recreational options include Hamilton Pool Preserve, Reimers Ranch Park for mountain biking and rock climbing, and access to Lake Travis marinas and boat ramps within a 15-minute drive.
Living in Bee Cave
Bee Cave's population is predominantly affluent, with median household incomes roughly double the state average. The community is primarily white, with growing Hispanic and Asian populations that reflect broader Austin metro demographic trends. The median age is in the upper 30s to low 40s, and the area attracts families with school-age children as well as professionals in technology, finance, and professional services who commute to Austin offices or work remotely. Most residents are homeowners in single-family properties, and household sizes are slightly above the metro average, with many three- and four-person families.
Daily life in Bee Cave is anchored by Hill Country Galleria, which provides grocery shopping at Whole Foods Market, a variety of dining options from casual to upscale, a movie theater, and seasonal outdoor events on the central green lawn including holiday markets and live music. For additional shopping needs beyond the Galleria, the Lakeline area of Cedar Park and the Arbor Trails center in southwest Austin are each about 20 minutes away. Children attend Lake Travis ISD schools, and youth sports leagues including football, soccer, lacrosse, and competitive swimming are well-organized with strong participation. Weekend recreation often involves trips to Lake Travis for boating and swimming, Reimers Ranch for mountain biking and hiking, or Hamilton Pool Preserve for a dip in the natural grotto. The area is car-dependent with no public transit service, and SH-71 congestion during rush hour is a common source of frustration for commuters.
Things to Do in Bee Cave
- Hill Country Galleria: An open-air shopping and entertainment center in the heart of Bee Cave with over 100 stores, restaurants, a cinema, and a central plaza that hosts concerts and events.
- Reimers Ranch Park: A Travis County park about five miles west of Bee Cave with over 16 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, rock climbing walls, and Pedernales River access.
- Bee Cave Central Park: A newer city park with a splash pad, playground, covered pavilions, and open green space designed as a community gathering place.
- Lake Travis: A Highland Lakes reservoir roughly five miles north of Bee Cave, offering boating, swimming, paddleboarding, and lakeside dining at numerous marinas and parks.
- The Backyard at Bee Cave: An outdoor amphitheater and concert venue that has hosted national touring artists across rock, country, and folk genres.
Major Employers in Bee Cave
- Hill Country Galleria (Retail / Mixed-Use): An open-air shopping center with over 100 retail stores, restaurants, and offices that collectively employ several hundred workers.
- Lake Travis ISD (Education): The school district employs approximately 1,600 teachers and staff across its campuses, with several facilities in the Bee Cave area.
- H-E-B (Grocery / Retail): Operates a full-service grocery store at the SH-71 and RR 620 intersection that serves as a primary shopping destination for Bee Cave residents.
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative (Utilities): Headquartered in nearby Johnson City, PEC operates service facilities in the Bee Cave area and serves as the primary electric provider for Hill Country communities.
Bee Cave Schools
Bee Cave is served by Lake Travis ISD. Students typically attend Lake Pointe Elementary or Bee Cave Elementary or Lakeway Elementary for elementary school, Bee Cave Middle School or Lake Travis Middle School or Hudson Bend Middle School for middle school, and Lake Travis High School for high school.
School District: Lake Travis ISD
Public Schools
- Lake Pointe Elementary - Elementary school serving the Bee Cave area in Lake Travis ISD.
- Bee Cave Elementary - Elementary school serving the Bee Cave area in Lake Travis ISD.
- Lakeway Elementary - Elementary school serving the Bee Cave area in Lake Travis ISD.
- Bee Cave Middle School - Middle school serving the Bee Cave area in Lake Travis ISD.
- Lake Travis Middle School - Middle school serving the Bee Cave area in Lake Travis ISD.
- Hudson Bend Middle School - Middle school serving the Bee Cave area in Lake Travis ISD.
- Lake Travis High School - High school serving the Bee Cave area in Lake Travis ISD.
Pre-Schools
- Primrose School of Bee Cave - An accredited early education center on SH-71 offering infant through pre-K programs with a structured curriculum.
- The Goddard School Bee Cave - A franchise early learning center in Bee Cave providing developmental programs for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years.
Private Schools
- Summit Christian Academy - A private Christian school in the Bee Cave/Lakeway area offering PreK through 12th grade college preparatory education.
- Challenger School Bee Cave - A private school offering a structured academic program for preschool through 8th grade, emphasizing independent thinking and academic fundamentals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Bee Cave from Austin?
Bee Cave is approximately 18 miles west of downtown Austin along SH-71. The drive takes 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic conditions, with congestion common on RR 620 during peak hours.
What school district is Bee Cave in?
Bee Cave is served by Lake Travis Independent School District, which enrolls approximately 11,000 students and is consistently rated among the top public school districts in Texas.
What is the Hill Country Galleria?
The Hill Country Galleria is an open-air shopping and entertainment center in Bee Cave with over 100 retail stores, restaurants, a cinema, and office space. It serves as the commercial hub for the Lake Travis corridor.
Are homes expensive in Bee Cave?
Bee Cave is one of the more expensive suburbs in the Austin metro, with home prices ranging from the mid-$500,000s to over $2 million. Gated communities like Spanish Oaks feature custom estates priced at $1.5 million and above.
Is Bee Cave a good place for families?
Bee Cave is popular with families primarily due to Lake Travis ISD, which is one of the highest-rated public school districts in Texas. The area also offers parks, youth sports, and family-oriented shopping and dining.
What is there to do near Bee Cave?
Bee Cave residents have access to Lake Travis for water sports, Reimers Ranch Park for hiking and climbing, the Hill Country Galleria for shopping and dining, and numerous Hill Country wineries and distilleries along US-290.
