Market Overview for Buda
There are 65 active listings in Buda with a median list price of $425K and a median sold price of $387K.
Homes average 48 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 20 homes have sold, with 218 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $184.
About Buda
Buda is a city of approximately 18,000 residents in Hays County, located along I-35 about 15 miles south of downtown Austin. Originally a railroad depot town established in the 1880s, Buda has grown from a small rural community into one of the faster-expanding suburbs in the Austin metro area. The city sits at the intersection of I-35 and FM 967, with additional access via FM 1626 to the west. Its position along the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Marcos makes it a practical location for commuters working in either direction.
The Buda housing market offers a range of options from entry-level homes in master-planned communities to older properties on larger lots in the original town area. Neighborhoods like Sunfield, Bradfield Village, and Whispering Hollow make up much of the newer housing stock, with homes typically built between 2005 and the present. Median home prices are generally below the Austin city average, which has drawn first-time buyers and young families to the area. Lot sizes in newer developments tend to be smaller at around 5,000-7,000 square feet, while older parts of town near Main Street offer more space.
Children in Buda attend Hays CISD schools, which serves roughly 22,000 students across the district. Local campuses include Buda Elementary, Elm Grove Elementary, Dahlstrom Middle School, and Jack C. Hays High School. The district has expanded its facilities in recent years to keep pace with residential growth, opening new campuses in both Buda and Kyle. Several private preschools and daycare centers also operate in the Buda area, and the city is within commuting distance of Austin Community College and Texas State University in San Marcos.
Buda provides direct access to I-35, with downtown Austin reachable in 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. San Marcos is approximately 15 minutes south. FM 1626 connects western Buda to Dripping Springs and US-290. Cabela's outdoor retail store at the I-35 exit has become a regional landmark and draws shoppers from surrounding communities. The Buda City Park and Stagecoach Park offer local green space with playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas. The Hays County Government Center is located here, and commercial development along Main Street and the I-35 frontage roads has accelerated in recent years with new restaurants, retail, and service businesses.
Living in Buda
Buda's population has grown rapidly since 2010, with the city more than doubling in size over the past 15 years as affordable housing along the I-35 south corridor drew buyers from Austin. The community is young and family-oriented, with a median age in the low 30s and a significant share of households with children under 18. The population is roughly 60% white and 30% Hispanic, with median household incomes near the Hays County average. Most households are owner-occupied single-family homes, and the share of renters is lower than in Austin proper. New residential permits continue at a steady pace as subdivisions fill in along the city's western and southern edges.
Daily routines in Buda center on the H-E-B grocery store on Main Street, a growing number of restaurants along Main Street and the I-35 frontage road, and the community parks system. Traffic on I-35 through Buda can slow considerably during peak commute times, though the ongoing I-35 expansion project aims to relieve congestion over the coming years. Youth sports leagues, the Buda Lions Club, and seasonal events at City Park including the Buda Country Fair and Wiener Dog Races provide regular community gathering points. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 20 minutes northeast via SH-45, and San Marcos Premium Outlets offer discount shopping 15 minutes south on I-35.
Things to Do in Buda
- Cabela's Buda: A 185,000-square-foot outdoor retail store on I-35 with a large aquarium, wildlife displays, and shooting gallery that functions as both a retail destination and attraction.
- Buda City Park: The city's primary park includes a splash pad, covered pavilions, sports courts, and playgrounds spread across several acres near downtown.
- Stagecoach Park: A community park featuring an 18-hole disc golf course, walking trails, and open green space on the eastern side of Buda.
- Downtown Buda: The historic Main Street corridor features small shops, local restaurants, and the former Southern Pacific railroad depot that now serves as a community landmark.
- Buda Sportsplex: A multi-field youth sports complex on the south side of town hosting soccer, baseball, and softball leagues year-round.
Major Employers in Buda
- Cabela's / Bass Pro Shops (Retail): Operates a 185,000-square-foot destination retail store along I-35 in Buda that draws shoppers from across the region.
- Hays CISD (Education): Employs over 3,000 teachers, administrators, and support staff across 27 campuses in southern Hays County.
- City of Buda (Government): Municipal government employing approximately 200 full-time staff across public works, parks, and administrative departments.
- Amazon (Logistics): Operates a fulfillment and distribution facility along the I-35 corridor south of Buda employing several hundred workers.
Buda Schools
Buda is served by Hays CISD. Students typically attend Elm Grove Elementary or Buda Elementary or Tom Green Elementary or Carpenter Hill Elementary for elementary school, Eric Dahlstrom Middle School or R C Barton Middle School or McCormick Middle School for middle school, and Johnson High School or Jack C Hays High School for high school.
School District: Hays CISD
Public Schools
- Elm Grove Elementary - Elementary school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- Buda Elementary - Elementary school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- Tom Green Elementary - Elementary school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- Carpenter Hill Elementary - Elementary school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- Eric Dahlstrom Middle School - Middle school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- R C Barton Middle School - Middle school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- McCormick Middle School - Middle school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- Johnson High School - High school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
- Jack C Hays High School - High school serving the Buda area in Hays CISD.
Pre-Schools
- Primrose School of Buda - An accredited early education center offering infant through pre-K programs with a balanced learning curriculum.
- Creative World School Buda - A national franchise preschool in Buda offering exploratory learning for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.
Private Schools
- Summit Christian Academy - A Hays County private school offering Christian-based education from kindergarten through high school.
- Buda Montessori School - A small Montessori program in Buda serving preschool and elementary-age children with mixed-age classrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Buda from Austin?
Buda is approximately 15 miles south of downtown Austin along I-35. The drive takes 20 to 25 minutes during off-peak hours, though morning and evening rush hour traffic can extend the commute to 40 minutes or more.
What school district serves Buda TX?
Buda is served by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District (Hays CISD), which operates 27 campuses and enrolls roughly 22,000 students across southern Hays County.
Is Buda a good place to raise a family?
Buda is popular with families due to its newer housing stock, lower cost of living compared to Austin, and access to Hays CISD schools. The city also offers parks, youth sports leagues, and a growing retail corridor.
What is the average home price in Buda?
Median home prices in Buda typically range from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$500,000s, depending on the subdivision and lot size. Newer master-planned communities like Sunfield tend toward the higher end of that range.
What is there to do in Buda TX?
Buda offers outdoor recreation at Stagecoach Park and Buda City Park, shopping at the Cabela's retail district, and a small historic downtown with local restaurants. The annual Weiner Dog Races are a well-known community tradition.
Is Buda growing?
Buda has been one of the fastest-growing small cities in Texas, with its population roughly tripling since 2010. Ongoing residential and commercial development along the I-35 corridor continues to expand the city.
