Austin's Brushy Creek MUD Earns A+ Grade, Tops 2025 Suburbs

The Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District (MUD) in Round Rock has been named the No. 1 suburb in the Austin area for 2025 by Niche.com, earning an A+ overall grade and ranking as the 10th best place to raise a family in Texas, according to the ranking platform.

Why Brushy Creek Stands Out in the Austin Metro

For homebuyers weighing a move outside Austin proper, Brushy Creek offers a combination of highly rated schools and a shorter commute than many farther-flung suburbs. The MUD, a special taxing district that provides water, wastewater and other services, includes parts of Round Rock and unincorporated Williamson County. Round Rock itself serves as a tech hub, with a median home value of $434,370 and a commute of 20 to 30 minutes to downtown Austin, according to local market data.

The top Austin suburbs for 2026, ranked by schools, safety and long-term value, include Cedar Park, Dripping Springs, Lakeway, the Brushy Creek portion of Round Rock and Westlake Hills, according to a recent area ranking.

What Buyers Need to Know: Prices and New Construction

The suburban market is seeing a notable shift toward new construction. Sales of newly built homes in the Austin suburbs surged approximately 63% year-over-year in late 2025, with a median price of roughly $435,000. That compares with a median price of about $600,000 for new homes inside Austin proper, according to market data. That price gap, roughly $165,000, is driving many buyers to look beyond the city limits.

Among the fastest-growing suburbs, Dripping Springs has seen its population nearly double between 2017 and 2022 while retaining its Texas Hill Country character. The median home value there is $722,368, reflecting the premium buyers pay for land and lifestyle southwest of Austin.

Practical Advice for Buyers Targeting Brushy Creek

If you are considering Brushy Creek or other top-ranked suburbs, start by verifying school boundaries, the MUD’s area crosses several independent school districts. Property tax rates within a MUD tend to be higher than in city-limits neighborhoods because of the bond debt for infrastructure, so ask your lender for a full tax estimate. The new-construction pipeline in suburbs like Round Rock and Cedar Park is active, but the median price difference compared with Austin proper means many buyers can get a larger home, sometimes with a yard, for the same monthly payment.

For buyers specifically targeting Brushy Creek, the Niche ranking reinforces what local agents have been saying: this pocket of Round Rock checks boxes for commute time, school quality and long-term appreciation potential. With suburban new construction up sharply and the price gap to Austin proper holding above $150,000, the competition for available homes in these areas is unlikely to slow down soon.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.