Practicing in Austin
Austin pairs a fast-growing patient base with an academic medicine presence built around a young medical school, so a move here opens roles across hospital, academic, and outpatient settings. Whether you are still comparing options or have signed an offer, this guide is built to help you weigh the move with no pressure and no guesswork.
Health systems you may be working alongside
- St. David's HealthCare. Operates much of the metro's inpatient capacity, including St. David's Medical Center, St. David's South Austin Medical Center, and St. David's Round Rock.
- Ascension Seton. Runs Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas along with a network of community and specialty hospitals.
- Dell Medical School at UT Austin. Dell Seton serves as its primary teaching hospital, giving the region an academic medicine and graduate medical education presence.
- Baylor Scott and White Health. One of the largest nonprofit systems in Texas, with hospitals and clinics across Round Rock, Pflugerville, and other suburbs.
- Large physician groups. Austin Regional Clinic, Texas Oncology, and other multispecialty organizations add significant ambulatory and specialty capacity for MDs, DOs, and APPs.
What is being built right now
- A major academic cancer and hospital campus is planned through a collaboration involving The University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center, supported by a large gift announced in 2026, with an opening targeted later this decade.
- St. David's South Austin Medical Center is building a new patient tower that adds operating rooms and surgical capacity.
- Hospitals in Round Rock and the Lake Travis and Westlake area are expanding to meet rising demand.
- The voter-approved Project Connect light rail cleared federal environmental review in early 2026, with construction expected to begin in 2027, while TxDOT's I-35 Capital Express Central project reconstructs the downtown corridor in phases.
- Samsung continues to grow its semiconductor campuses in Austin and nearby Taylor.
Where physicians are landing
Physicians relocating to Austin commonly weigh a mix of central neighborhoods and surrounding towns:
- Mueller. Planned mixed-use community on the east side of central Austin with parks, a weekly farmers market, retail, and quick access to Dell Seton and downtown.
- Westlake. Hillside area west of downtown along Lake Austin, known for its topography, greenery, and the Eanes Independent School District.
- Round Rock. Suburb north of Austin with established neighborhoods, major retail, and several hospital campuses.
- Cedar Park and Leander. Growing northwest suburbs with newer housing, parks, and connections to the MetroRail commuter line.
- Lakeway and Bee Cave. Hill Country communities west of the city near Lake Travis, with golf, marinas, and access to the Highway 71 and 620 corridors.
- Circle C and Southwest Austin. Established neighborhoods near MoPac and Highway 290 with greenbelt trails and proximity to St. David's South Austin.
- Pflugerville. Northeast suburb with a reservoir and parks, convenient to the Samsung campuses and the SH 130 corridor.
Commute to the medical district
Drive times vary widely with Austin traffic, so these are approximate off-peak estimates. From Mueller, Dell Seton Medical Center and downtown are roughly 10 to 15 minutes. From Westlake and Southwest Austin, St. David's South Austin and downtown hospitals are about 15 to 25 minutes via MoPac or Highway 71. From Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander, North Austin medical campuses are around 15 to 30 minutes, while downtown can run 30 to 45 minutes or more at peak. Key corridors include I-35, MoPac (Loop 1), US 183, Highway 71, and the SH 130 and SH 45 toll roads, and ongoing I-35 construction can affect central travel times.
Cost of living and taxes
- Housing. As of early 2026 the metro median home price is in the low $400,000s, with homes inside the city often running higher, in the mid $500,000s and above depending on the neighborhood. Median rents commonly fall around $1,500 to $1,750 per month for a one bedroom.
- No state income tax. Texas has no state personal income tax, a meaningful offset for high earners.
- Sales and property tax. The sales tax rate in Austin is 8.25 percent. Property taxes are relatively high, with combined effective rates commonly around 1.3 to 1.8 percent of assessed value, and a homestead exemption is available on a primary residence.
Rent or buy
Many physicians rent for an initial period, which gives time to confirm the practice fit, learn the commute from different areas, and explore neighborhoods before buying. Buying can make sense when you plan to stay several years, and physician mortgage programs are widely available in this market. Because Austin home values and property taxes are both significant, it is worth modeling the full monthly cost, including taxes and insurance, against comparable rent. We can connect you with local lenders to run the numbers, and for your specific tax situation, confirm current figures with a tax professional.
Your move, handled
Changing jobs as a physician is tied to your contract, your start date, licensing, and credentialing. Here is what your Physician Relocation Advisor coordinates on an Austin move:
- Texas licensure. Guidance on the Texas Medical Board application and timeline, plus your DEA registration for the new address.
- Credentialing. Support through hospital and payer credentialing, which commonly runs 90 to 180 days, so it lines up with your start date.
- Housing around your hospital. Homes matched to your commute and schedule, with vetted local agents and physician-friendly lenders.
- Family and schools. Research on neighborhoods and school options so your family has what it needs.
- One point of contact. We stay with you from offer to move-in, no pressure and no guesswork.
We're here to take care of you.
