How Walkable is West Lake Hills, TX?

An affluent enclave in the hills west of downtown Austin, West Lake Hills near Austin, TX scores just 18 on the Walk Score scale. The city has maintained its exclusive residential character since incorporation in the 1950s, with large hillside lots and limited commercial development.

Walkability in the Austin area

West Lake Hills' 18 sits well below the metro average of 37 and below outer suburbs like Cedar Park (26) and Leander (28). The city's topography and zoning explain the low score. Hilly terrain with winding roads, steep grades, and no sidewalks on most streets makes walking impractical. Commercial services are concentrated along Bee Cave Road, which functions as a high-speed arterial rather than a pedestrian corridor. There is no public transit and no cycling infrastructure suitable for transportation.

What a Walk Score of 18 means

West Lake Hills's Walk Score of 18 means almost all errands require a car. The steep hills, lack of sidewalks, and separation between homes and commercial areas make walking impractical for daily needs. Transit score is not available, reflecting no public transportation. Bike score is also not available, reflecting terrain and road conditions that are unsuitable for cycling.

Why do buyers choose West Lake Hills?

West Lake Hills commands the highest prices in this group by a wide margin. The median sale price is $2,048,974, down 38% year over year (likely reflecting a small sample of 11 sales where individual high-value transactions skew the median). About 18% of homes sell above asking. At 6 months of supply, the market is balanced.

At over $2M, buyers here are paying for exclusivity, large lots, Hill Country views, and proximity to downtown Austin (a 10-15 minute drive). Walkability is irrelevant to this buyer pool. For comparison, Central West Austin ($1.8M, WS 84) offers a similar price with dramatically better walkability. West Lake Hills suits buyers who prioritize privacy, space, and natural surroundings over any form of pedestrian access.

Nearby neighborhoods

Limited to neighborhoods with at least 10 home sales in the period.

All data comes from Redfin and represents a three-month rolling average ending July 2026. This article has been generated, in whole or in part, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, with input from Redfin head of economics research Chen Zhao. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information, you should independently verify all data, facts, and citations contained in this article before relying on it for any purpose. This information is not a substitute for advice from a real estate agent, financial advisor, or other licensed professional. Check the Redfin Data Center for additional in-depth housing market data.