Dell Technologies · Employee Relocation

Moving to Austin
for Dell?

Quick clarification before you start searching on Zillow: Dell's headquarters is in Round Rock — not Austin proper. That's one exit north of Austin on I-35, and it changes your entire housing search. This guide gives you the honest commute math and best neighborhoods for Dell employees in 2026.

No State Income Tax 5-min Commute Options Free Buyer Representation

Dell HQ is in Round Rock, TX — not Austin. Most job listings say "Austin area." Round Rock is a city of ~145,000 immediately north of Austin on I-35. Living in Round Rock puts you closer to Dell than most Austin zip codes.

Know Before You Search

Dell's Campus Is in
Round Rock, Not Austin

Dell Technologies' global headquarters sits at One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. Round Rock is its own city — home to 145,000 people, excellent schools, and a thriving local economy — immediately north of Austin on I-35. The city has grown substantially around Dell's presence over the past 30 years and has some of the best infrastructure for a Dell commute of anywhere in the metro.

The practical upside: living in Round Rock means you may never need to get on a freeway. Many Dell employees live within 10 minutes via local roads. Neighborhoods that sound "Austin adjacent" on paper — Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville — are all closer to Dell than downtown Austin. Meanwhile, South Austin, Lakeway, and the Domain corridor are in completely the wrong direction for the Dell commute.

Dell Technologies HQ
One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682
Round Rock (local) 5–15 min · neighborhood roads
Georgetown 15–22 min · I-35 north
Cedar Park 18–25 min · 183A / I-35
Pflugerville 15–22 min · SH-130 / I-35
Leander 22–32 min · 183A south to I-35
North Austin 20–30 min · I-35 south
Central Austin 28–42 min · I-35 south (traffic-dependent)
Avoid: South Austin, Kyle, Buda, Lakeway — 45–65 min each way through or across the entire city

Where Dell Employees Actually Live

Best Neighborhoods
for Dell Campus Commuters

5–15 min

Round Rock

$360K–$580K to buy  ·  $1,350–$1,850/mo rent

  • Dell's backyard — some employees walk or bike to campus
  • Teravista, Mayfield Ranch, Stone Canyon — established master-planned communities
  • Round Rock ISD: one of the top-rated large districts in Texas
  • Best for: anyone who wants the shortest possible commute with excellent schools
Explore Round Rock
15–22 min

Georgetown

$340K–$560K to buy  ·  $1,300–$1,750/mo rent

  • I-35 north — uncongested, against-traffic commute in the AM rush
  • Sun City (55+), Wolf Ranch, Berry Creek, Teravista — diverse community options
  • Historic downtown square, Hill Country scenery, quieter pace than Austin suburbs
  • Best for: buyers who want more land, newer construction, and a slightly quieter setting
Explore Georgetown
18–25 min

Cedar Park

$380K–$580K to buy  ·  $1,400–$1,900/mo rent

  • 183A toll road to I-35 — fast, consistent, no city traffic
  • Scottsdale, Ranch at Cypress Creek, Twin Creeks — well-established communities
  • Leander ISD — among the top-rated large districts in Texas
  • Best for: families who want Leander ISD schools and a sub-25 minute Dell commute
Explore Cedar Park
15–22 min

Pflugerville

$320K–$500K to buy  ·  $1,200–$1,600/mo rent

  • SH-130 to I-35 interchange — avoids downtown Round Rock traffic entirely
  • Blackhawk Golf Club community, newer builds, strong value per square foot
  • Pflugerville ISD — solid ratings, improving; less premium than Round Rock ISD
  • Best for: buyers who want the most house per dollar closest to Dell campus
Explore Pflugerville
22–32 min

Leander

$340K–$520K to buy  ·  $1,250–$1,700/mo rent

  • 183A toll road south to I-35 — or MetroRail to avoid driving entirely
  • Fastest-growing city in the metro — new construction at every price point
  • Leander ISD: consistently top-rated, one of the best large districts in Texas
  • Best for: families who want new construction and top schools, okay with 25-minute drive
Explore Leander
28–42 min

North Austin

$350K–$600K to buy  ·  $1,300–$1,900/mo rent

  • I-35 north to Dell — viable for employees who want Austin proper without extreme commute
  • Anderson Mill, Milwood, Great Hills — established northwest Austin neighborhoods
  • Proximity to Apple, IBM, other tech employers if your situation changes
  • Best for: buyers who want Austin proper with flexibility for multiple employer corridors
Explore North Austin

What You'll Pay

Austin Area Housing Costs
for Dell Employees

Area Buy Price Monthly Rent
Pflugerville$320K–$500K$1,200–$1,600
Georgetown$340K–$560K$1,300–$1,750
Leander$340K–$520K$1,250–$1,700
Round Rock$360K–$580K$1,350–$1,850
Cedar Park$380K–$580K$1,400–$1,900
North Austin$350K–$600K$1,300–$1,900

Dell salaries range from $70K for entry-level IT and support roles to $250K+ for engineering directors and executives. At $100K–$150K, Round Rock and Georgetown offer genuine homeownership — a 4BR home in a top school district for under $500K. At $150K+, you can comfortably buy anywhere in the Dell corridor, including Cedar Park and Leander.

The Dell corridor — Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville — represents Austin's strongest combination of commute time, school quality, and price. This is where the metro's value is. You're not competing with Domain-area buyers or paying an East Austin premium for the same square footage.

See full Austin cost of living breakdown →

The First Decision

Should You Rent First
or Buy Right Away?

Rent First
Pros
  • Learn the Round Rock / north Austin corridor before committing
  • Rental market is more balanced here than in northwest Austin — less pressure
  • Flexibility if your Dell role or team shifts between offices
Cons
  • Round Rock rental inventory is limited at the $1,400–$1,700 range — you may end up in a subdivision far from amenities
  • You're building no equity; Round Rock appreciation has been consistent
  • If you have kids, mid-year school changes are disruptive
Best for: New to the area entirely, evaluating whether the role is long-term, first 6–12 months
Buy Now
Pros
  • Round Rock and Georgetown are priced to own — buying vs. renting math often favors buying here
  • Lock in Round Rock ISD or Leander ISD school zoning from day one
  • Dell corridor has shown consistent appreciation over 20+ years
Cons
  • Need 30–60 days to close — start 90 days before your start date
  • $360K–$480K range in Round Rock moves quickly — be ready to decide fast
Best for: Families with school-age kids, buyers comparing rent vs. mortgage payment, 3+ year commitment to Dell
Dell's Round Rock campus has been the anchor of this community for decades — the housing market here is mature and stable. Unlike some tech corridors, you're not betting on a neighborhood still figuring itself out.

For Families

Schools Near
Dell's Round Rock Campus

Round Rock ISD
Round Rock · Pflugerville border

One of the top-rated large districts in Central Texas. McNeil HS, Round Rock HS, Cedar Ridge HS — all consistently strong. If you live in Round Rock, you're in this district automatically. Many Dell families choose Round Rock specifically for RRISD.

Leander ISD
Cedar Park · Leander

Consistently one of the top-rated large districts in Texas. Vista Ridge HS, Cedar Park HS, Rouse HS all highly rated. The #1 reason families choose Cedar Park or Leander over Round Rock proper — and worth the extra 5–10 minutes on the Dell commute.

Georgetown ISD
Georgetown

Growing and improving. East View HS and Georgetown HS serve the area. Wolf Ranch and newer communities feed into newer, well-resourced campuses. A solid option that's improving year over year as the district adds enrollment.

Pflugerville ISD
Pflugerville

Solid mid-range district with improving ratings — Pflugerville HS and Hendrickson HS serve the area. The underrated pick in the Dell corridor: you get genuinely good schools at the area's lowest home prices.

The Financial Upside

What Texas Taxes Mean
for Your Dell Salary

💰

No State Income Tax

Texas has zero state income tax. On a $130K Dell salary, that's $7,000–$10,500 more take-home per year vs. California. For Dell employees relocating from the Bay Area or Seattle, this shows up immediately and meaningfully — often covering the property tax difference entirely within the first two years.

🏠

Property Tax Reality

Texas property taxes run 1.8%–2.4% of assessed value. On a $460K home in Round Rock, budget $8,280–$11,040/year ($690–$920/mo). Round Rock and Williamson County rates are mid-range for Texas. Factor this into your mortgage calculation — lenders will include it in your DTI from day one.

🎯

Homestead Exemption

Texas offers a homestead exemption that reduces your home's taxable assessed value. File after January 1 of your first full year of ownership. In Williamson County (Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park), this typically saves $900–$1,500/year — money back annually with zero ongoing effort after the initial filing.

Before You Arrive

Austin Relocation
Checklist for Dell Employees

  • Get Texas driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency
  • Register vehicle in Texas (no annual inspection required post-2025)
  • Register to vote in Williamson County (Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander)
  • Open a local bank account — Frost Bank, UFCU, or Amplify CU are Austin staples
  • Set up Oncor electric or Pedernales Electric depending on your area; shop rates on PowerToChoose.org
  • File homestead exemption with Williamson CAD after Jan 1 of first full year of ownership
  • Get pre-approved for a mortgage before your Dell start date if buying
  • Confirm school district boundaries before making an offer — Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD boundaries are not always intuitive
  • Download TxTag app if commuting via SH-130 or 183A toll roads
  • Budget for summer electric bills — Texas AC season runs May–October, $180–$280/mo
  • Plan for Texas weather: hail insurance riders are strongly recommended in the Round Rock / Williamson County area
  • Contact Luke Allen 60–90 days before your start date if buying — closing takes 30–45 days

Common Questions

Dell Austin
Relocation FAQ

Where is Dell headquarters — Austin or Round Rock?

Dell Technologies HQ is at One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682 — not in Austin proper. Round Rock is a city of ~145,000 immediately north of Austin on I-35, about 20 miles from downtown Austin. Most job listings say "Austin area." Round Rock is a city of ~145,000 immediately north of Austin on I-35. Living in Round Rock puts you closer to Dell than most Austin zip codes.

Where do most Dell employees live near Round Rock?

Round Rock itself is the most popular — many Dell employees live within 5–15 minutes of campus. Georgetown is a close second, especially for employees who want more space or a quieter setting. Cedar Park and Pflugerville are both within 20–25 minutes. North Austin is viable for employees who want city amenities with a reasonable I-35 commute.

How long is the commute from Austin to Dell headquarters?

From Round Rock itself: 5–15 min. Georgetown: 15–22 min via I-35. Cedar Park: 18–25 min via 183A/I-35. Pflugerville: 15–22 min via SH-130. North Austin: 20–30 min via I-35. Central Austin: 28–42 min depending on traffic. Avoid South Austin, Kyle, Buda, and Lakeway — those run 45–65 min each way.

Does Dell offer relocation assistance?

Dell Technologies offers relocation packages for new hires and internal transfers, particularly for professional, engineering, and management roles. Package details vary by level. Relocation typically covers moving expenses and may include a lump-sum allowance. Confirm your specific package with Dell HR — if it includes temporary housing, use that window to evaluate neighborhoods before buying.

What is the cost of living near Dell in Round Rock?

Round Rock is one of Austin's best-value suburbs. Typical buy prices range from $360K–$580K for single-family homes. Georgetown runs $340K–$560K. Cedar Park $380K–$580K. Pflugerville $320K–$500K. Combined with Texas's zero state income tax, a Dell salary goes significantly further here than in comparable tech markets like Silicon Valley or Seattle.

Are the schools good near Dell's campus in Round Rock?

Round Rock ISD is one of the top-rated large school districts in Central Texas — and you're already in it if you live in Round Rock. Georgetown ISD is growing and improving. Leander ISD (Cedar Park) is consistently rated one of the best large districts in Texas. All three are strong options for Dell families relocating with children.

Work With Luke

Let's Find Your
Austin Home

I specialize in helping tech employees relocate to Austin and Round Rock — I know the Dell campus corridor, the neighborhoods worth the premium, and how to get you into a home before your start date. My representation is free to buyers.

Round Rock in the $380K–$500K range moves fast when inventory is low. If you're within 60 days of your Dell start date, reach out today — I've closed deals in 21 days when the timeline required it.

Dell Relocation Consultation
Free buyer representation. No obligation.