Is Highland Hills safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Highland Hills as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Highland Hills
“Go. Highland Hills is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and peaceful residential neighborhood nestled in Northwest Austin. Visitors will encounter minimal safety concerns beyond basic situational awareness and standard vehicle security.”
About the area
Highland Hills is a scenic, hilly, and wooded enclave developed primarily in the mid-century, sitting just west of MoPac Expressway near Northwest Hills. The neighborhood is overwhelmingly residential, featuring spacious single-family homes, mature oak trees, and quiet winding streets with quick access to central Austin.
- Affluent Suburb
- Tree-Lined / Scenic
- Quiet & Peaceful
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Highland Hills
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 32/100
There is no city bike-share system in the neighborhood, and cycling can be strenuous due to steep hills and lack of dedicated bike lanes, though scenic routes connect to Shoal Creek Blvd nearby.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to the Austin citywide average
- High median household incomes well above six figures and very low poverty rates
- Well-maintained mid-century housing stock with exceptionally high homeownership
- Peaceful, quiet residential environment with minimal thru-traffic
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle burglaries and porch package thefts
- Steep topography and limited sidewalk network make pedestrian navigation challenging
- Heavily car-dependent with almost all dining and shopping located along perimeter corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the interior residential streets of Highland Hills, with only occasional individuals seen near major commercial highway junctions along MoPac.
What Highland Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene, with residents walking dogs and joggers navigating the hills in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and low-traffic, feeling very secure with light residential movement throughout the day.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and dim as streets wind through heavy tree cover; walking is safe though visibility requires caution on roads without sidewalks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and safe, though very dark due to minimal commercial lighting and scattered streetlights.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by CapMetro, with bus Route 19 running nearby along Far West and Balcones, though the area lacks direct rail access, with the nearest CapMetro Rail station several miles east at Crestview.
Parking is abundant and free, with ample open street parking throughout the residential streets and large free parking lots at neighborhood retail plazas.
Things to do in Highland Hills
- Explore the nearby scenic vistas and hiking trails at Mount Bonnell and Bright Leaf Preserve
- Enjoy quiet architectural and nature walks through the hilly, tree-canopied residential lanes
- Visit local boutique shops and neighborhood eateries along the nearby Far West Boulevard corridor
Local favorites
- Kneaded Pleasures Bakery & Cafe · Bakery / Cafe · 4.6★ (320)Longtime local staple serving scratch-made pastries, sandwiches, and espresso drinks.
- Chinatown Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.2★ (1150)Established Northwest Austin destination known for dim sum and traditional regional Chinese fare.
- Biderman's Deli · Deli · 4.5★ (480)Classic Jewish-style deli offering house-made bagels, pastrami, and matzo ball soup.
Neighborhoods near Highland Hills
Common questions about Highland Hills
Is Highland Hills safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Highland Hills a good place to live?
On safety, Highland Hills scores 90/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Highland Hills?
Walk score 28/100 and bike score 32/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Highland Hills are safer?
North Cat Mountain (92), Cat Mountain (91) score higher nearby.
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