Buda is situated in the Texas Hill country and is known as the “Outdoor Capital of Texas” because it has 14 scenic parks, rolling hills, and plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors. Some of the most popular parks are Historic Stagecoach Park, Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate Park, and the Buda Sportplex. The vibrant Main Street area attracts both tourists and residents, offering a variety of arts as well as many local dining and shopping opportunities. Buda hosts its annual wiener dog races every April, attracting national attention.
Here’s what you can look forward to after moving to Buda, Texas!
Where Is Buda Texas?
Buda is located in Hays County, about 15 miles southwest of Austin in the Central Texas hill country. Buda is part of the Austin Metro Area and is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Austin. Buda is bordered by Hays to the northwest, Mountain City to the southwest, Manchaca to the north, and Creedmoor to the east.
Buda TX Population & Demographics
The population of Buda has grown immensely since 2010. The population is 15,108 according to the 2020 Census, which is a 107% increase from the 2010 census! The racial makeup of Buda is 88.1% White (66% Non-Hispanic), 1.3% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American or Alaska Native, 1.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.38% Other Race, and 3.87% Two or More Races. Hispanics or Latinos make up 34.92% of Buda’s population.
Buda, TX demographics:
- Population density: 2,749.39 /sq mi
- Median age: 34.6
- Sex ratio: 50.6% females to 49.4% males
- Median household income: $87,571
- Educational attainment: 98.4% high school grad or higher, 54.5% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 8.2%
- Veteran population: 623
Buda is a safe place to live. The crime rate is 20% below the national average. In Buda, you have a 1 in 54 chance of becoming a victim of crime. The Buda Police Department serves the residents of Buda. Check out their crime map for monthly updates on where crimes are committed in the city.
Buda Cost of Living – Is Buda, TX Expensive?
The cost of living in Buda is equal to the national average. The cost of goods and services exceeds the national average by only 1%. Groceries, transportation, and utilities are cheaper than the national average, although housing and healthcare are slightly higher.
The largest expense in Buda is housing, yet housing is relatively affordable. Housing costs are 8% over the national average. The Buda housing market is somewhat competitive, and the Buda median home price is $427,000, down 27% from last year, making it a good time to buy. Austin residents pay an average of $609,500 for a home by comparison. Homes in Buda sell in around 47 days. Check out homes for sale Buda TX to get an idea of what a home in Buda will cost you.
If you are looking for apartments in Buda, the average rent for an apartment is $1,645, and the average apartment size is 933 square feet. By comparison, it will cost you about $1,799 for an apartment in Austin. According to the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calender, monthly costs for a family of four in Hays County is $7,082.
Typical Buda Living Expenses
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- Domestic beer: $7.00
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.14
- Dozen eggs: $4.18
- 1 pound chicken: $5.66
- Average Buda monthly utility bill: $217.97
Source: Numbeo, for the Austin Metro Area
Best Neighborhoods In Buda
Buda has many neighborhoods to choose from that are close to parks, schools, and have a wide range of amenities. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Buda to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for:
Ruby Ranch | Best Buda neighborhood for professionals
Ruby Ranch is a partially gated community featuring beautiful custom 3 to 5-bedroom homes on large lots ranging from 1 to 5-acre lots. The Texas ranch-style and Spanish-influenced homes were constructed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Most include large kitchens, vaulted ceilings, and lots of outdoor space. With its proximity to downtown Austin, Ruby Ranch is a great community for commuters working in Austin and for easy access to all the amenities downtown Austin has to offer, such as restaurants, shops, and other conveniences. For outdoor adventures, Lake Kyle is a short drive from the neighborhood. Home prices in Ruby Ranch average $930,000.
Turner’s Crossing | Best neighborhood in Buda for young families
One of Buda’s newest neighborhoods, Turner’s Crossing, offers one and two story homes ranging from 1,200 to over 2,000 square feet. This master-planned community has the feel of living in the country. The neighborhood is full of amenities, including fishing ponds, wildflower meadows, and two clubhouses with playgrounds and swimming pools. The 286 acres of parkland with hiking trails are perfect for residents who want to get out and explore nature. New home prices in Turner’s Crossing range from $442,990 to $509,990.
Sunfield | Affordable houses for sale in Buda TX
Sunfield is a large Buda neighborhood with over 4,000 3 and 4-bedroom homes. Although a master-planned, resort-style community, the homes are affordable. The average price for a home in Sunfield is $420,000. The community was developed in 2012 and features Texas traditional and craftsman-style designs. Living in Sunfield comes with plenty of amenities, including hiking and biking trails, a stocked fishing pond, a community dog park, a community garden, Frisbee golf, an outdoor pavilion, a junior Olympic lap pool, a 1,000-foot lazy river, and a child’s splash area.
Weather Buda TX
Weather in Buda has summers that are typically hot and muggy, while the winters short, cold, and windy. Summer starts at the beginning of June and ends in mid-September. August is the hottest month in Buda, with an average high of 95°F and a low of 73°F. Winters last from the end of November to the end of February. The coldest month in Buda is January, with an average low of 40°F and a high of 61°F. It rains about 36 inches a year in Buda, about the same as the national average. The best time to visit Buda is in May.
Things To Do In Buda
There are plenty of activities and fun things to do and see for all ages while living in Buda. In addition, Buda has many local boutiques, the Old Town Buda Antique Mall for antique lovers, the Sunfield Center Mall, and Cabelas. Here are some of the best things to do in Buda:
Pinballz Kingdom
Pinballz is more than just an arcade. Of course, they have tons of pinball games, vintage arcade games, and modern video games, but they also have bumper cars, an escape room, bingo music on Thursday nights, live music on the weekends, and much more! This is a top Buda attraction for kids.
15201 S IH 35, Buda, TX 78610, 512-523-4080
Stagecoach Park
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For a taste of local history that also doubles as a park, historic Stagecoach Park is the place to go. The 51-acre park features hiking trails, an amphitheater, a playground, picnic areas, a pond, and a pavilion. Visit Clint’s Cabin and other historic sites in the park as well.
880 Main St, Buda, TX 78610, 512-295-7170
Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skatepark
For skating enthusiasts, Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skatepark is an ideal spot to skate and have fun. Even if you don’t skate yourself, you can watch local skaters skate and do amazing tricks. The park consists of a custom in-ground concrete skate park with various skate elements. Lights allow park users to skate after dark.
480 S Loop 4, Buda, TX 78610, (281) 770-7279
Additional attractions in Buda:
Still looking for things to do in Buda? Buda Parks & Recreation manages 14 parks featuring playgrounds, basketball courts, fishing, concerts, movies, hiking and biking trails, kids’ splash areas, sports and recreation fields, and more! Check out the Buda city events calendar for more fun things to do while living in Buda.
Restaurants In Buda TX
Buda features everything from authentic Mexican restaurants to American diners and everything in between. Here are some of the top-rated restaurants in Buda:
Garcia’s
Garcia’s has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine for over 25 years in Central Texas. This family-owned restaurant serves Mexican favorites using their own family recipes. They strive to offer the best service and great food at a fair price. If you like homemade fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas, you’ll love Garcia’s!
104 S Main St, Buda, TX 78610, (512) 295-7921
Buda Soda Fountain
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The 5-star rated Buda Soda Fountain takes you back to an old-time soda fountain where they still make ice cream floats, real milkshakes and malts, and traditional banana splits. The casual diner serves sandwiches, soups, and salads, including Pecan and Cranberry Chicken Salad, Turkey and Cheese sandwiches, beef hot dogs, and chili cheese dogs.
203 Railroad St, Buda, TX 78610, 512-312-2172
Im Thai Cuisine
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If you’re looking for the best Thai Food restaurant in the area, you’ve found it at Im Thai Cuisine. Their spring rolls are always freshly made and crunchy. Their classic Thai dishes include crispy fried catfish, steamed scallops, and marinated chicken, beef, and pork. They also serve mouth-watering stir-fry dishes, noodles, fried rice dishes, and tasty desserts!
1671 Main Street Suite C, Buda, TX 78610, (512) 312-4013
Jobs In Buda TX
The average salary in Buda is $74,000 a year, according to PayScale. Some of the most common jobs in Buda are in Office & Administrative Support, Sales & Related Occupations, and Management.
Major employers in Hays County:
- HEB Grocery
- Industrial Asphalt
- Jardine Foods
- Kloeckner Metals
If you’re ready to explore your career opportunities in Buda, check out the Buda city job board and employment on Indeed or other job search sites.
Schools in Buda, TX
Buda is served by the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. The district consists of over 20 campuses and serves more than 20,000 students. Buda students attend Carpenter Hill Elementary, Elm Grove Elementary, Dahlstrom Middle, Jack C. Hays High, and Moe and Gene Johnson High. Students can also enjoy the free Buda City Hall & Library.
Of the 34 colleges within 100 miles of Buda, the closest school is Saint Edward’s University in Austin, at a distance of 11.3 miles. The top-rated school in the area is Trinity University in San Antonio, and the largest college in the area is Texas A&M University College Station, with 72,530 students. Temple College in Temple is the most affordable school in the area, with a yearly tuition of $1,848.
Buda Statistics & Information
- County: Hays
- Area: 6.16 square miles
- Zip code Buda TX: 78610
- Area code: 512, 737
- Elevation: 702 feet
- Time zone: Central (CST, UTC−6)
- Closest airport: Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), 22 miles away
Buda, TX Map
Explore the area and try out other fun attractions and delicious restaurants with this map of Buda.
If you’re moving to Buda, trust Unicorn Moving’s Buda movers to take care of everything for you. Call us today at 512-339-9922 for a free moving estimate!
