Is Travis Heights safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Travis Heights as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Travis Heights
“Go. Travis Heights is one of Austin's most picturesque and affluent inner-ring neighborhoods, offering quiet, shaded residential streets just steps from vibrant commercial corridors. Visitors should exercise standard urban caution regarding vehicle break-ins, particularly along perimeter roads, but personal safety is generally very high.”
About the area
Nestled just south of Lady Bird Lake, Travis Heights combines historic 1920s architecture, quirky modern builds, and lush greenbelts. Its winding, hilly streets offer a tranquil retreat directly adjacent to the bustling South Congress entertainment strip. It is popular among active travelers, families, and professionals seeking a relaxed Austin vibe close to downtown.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Scenic Greenways
- Affluent & Bohemian
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Travis Heights
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 74/100
Travis Heights offers excellent cycling connectivity with MetroBike bikeshare stations along South Congress and direct neighborhood access to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to Austin city averages
- High median household income exceeding $120,000 and well-maintained housing stock
- Direct pedestrian access to premier parks, natural springs, and Lady Bird Lake trails
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime and vehicle break-ins occur near major commercial borders
- Perimeter areas along Interstate 35 and East Oltorf Street experience elevated traffic and disturbance
- Limited street lighting and lack of continuous sidewalks on interior winding hills
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential streets and greenbelts, but individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional encampments are visible along the I-35 frontage road, East Riverside Drive, and East Oltorf Street.
What Travis Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and cyclists taking advantage of the shaded streets and greenway trails.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and residential, with light local traffic and families visiting neighborhood parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and quiet within the neighborhood interior, though foot traffic and parking spillover pick up near South Congress.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally very quiet and safe, though interior streets are dark and visitors should stick to well-lit paths when walking back from nightlife.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by CapMetro, with frequent service along the South Congress border via CapMetro Rapid Route 801 and local Route 1, plus Route 7 along Riverside, connecting easily to Downtown Austin in under 10 minutes.
Residential street parking is generally free and accessible, though streets immediately adjacent to South Congress have residential parking permit restrictions or meter zones.
Things to do in Travis Heights
- Take a dip in the historic, naturally spring-fed Stacy Park Pool (Big Stacy).
- Hike the scenic, tree-canopied trails through Blunn Creek Greenbelt.
- Stroll along the historic residential streets to view eclectic 1920s craftsman and modernist architecture.
Local favorites
- Whip In · Indian Gastropub & Beer Garden · 4.3★ (1650)A legendary South Austin institution serving craft beer, wine, and Indian-fusion comfort dishes on an eclectic patio.
- Home Slice Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.7★ (8400)Iconic neighborhood spot on the South Congress border famous for authentic NY-style thin crust slices and subs.
- Little Stacy Park · City Park · 4.7★ (290)A lush, family-friendly green space featuring tennis courts, a wading pool, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions.
Neighborhoods near Travis Heights
Common questions about Travis Heights
Is Travis Heights safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Travis Heights a good place to live?
On safety, Travis Heights scores 81/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Travis Heights?
Walk score 68/100 and bike score 74/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Travis Heights are safer?
Bridge Hollow (90), South River City (84) score higher nearby.
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