IBM Austin · Employee Relocation
IBM's Austin campus sits at the corner of Burnet Road and US-183 in North Austin, a location that gives you something no other major Austin tech campus offers: a fast commute to both the suburban northwest corridor and some of Austin's most walkable, established central neighborhoods. This guide gives you the honest commute math and best neighborhoods for IBM employees in 2026.
Know Before You Search
IBM's primary Austin campus is at 11400 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758, right at the US-183 interchange in North Austin. The Domain and Arboretum area are literally minutes away. MoPac (Loop 1) is a few blocks west. The location puts IBM employees at the hub of Austin's tech corridor, with access heading northwest toward Cedar Park and Leander, and south down Burnet Rd toward some of the city's most established neighborhoods.
That Burnet Rd south access is IBM's unique advantage. Apple employees on Riata Vista have a longer drive to get to Allandale or Crestview. IBM employees can be in those same neighborhoods in 12 to 18 minutes on Burnet Rd, no highway needed. This opens up a category of housing that's simply not practical for most Austin tech workers.
IBM is one of the only Austin tech campuses with practical access to both the northwest suburbs (Cedar Park, Leander) and central Austin neighborhoods (Allandale, Crestview, Hyde Park). Most Austin tech employees have to pick one. IBM employees don't.
Homes for Sale
Homes currently listed for sale within 3 miles of IBM's Austin campus on Burnet Road. Updated daily from MLS.
Where IBM Employees Actually Live
$580K to $950K to buy · $1,900 to $2,700/mo rent
$400K to $700K to buy · $1,600 to $2,400/mo rent
$500K to $850K to buy · $1,900 to $2,700/mo rent
$380K to $580K to buy · $1,400 to $1,900/mo rent
$550K to $900K to buy · $1,800 to $2,600/mo rent
$340K to $520K to buy · $1,250 to $1,700/mo rent
What You'll Pay
| Area | Buy Price | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Leander | $340K to $520K | $1,250 to $1,700 |
| Cedar Park | $380K to $580K | $1,400 to $1,900 |
| Domain / Arboretum | $400K to $700K | $1,600 to $2,400 |
| Great Hills / Balcones | $500K to $850K | $1,900 to $2,700 |
| Hyde Park / North Loop | $550K to $900K | $1,800 to $2,600 |
| Allandale / Crestview | $580K to $950K | $1,900 to $2,700 |
IBM Austin salaries range from $80K for entry-level and support roles to $300K+ for Distinguished Engineers, directors, and executives. At $120K to $170K, Cedar Park and Leander offer strong homeownership, top schools and newer homes well under $500K. At $180K+, Great Hills, Hyde Park, and Allandale become attainable.
Allandale and Crestview are priced at a premium for what they are: established, walkable central Austin neighborhoods that are genuinely hard to buy in. The IBM commute to those areas is the reason many IBM employees live where Dell and Apple employees simply can't justify the drive.
The First Decision
For Families
Great Hills Elementary and Doss Elementary are strong AISD campuses very close to IBM. In the central Burnet corridor, McCallum HS serves Hyde Park and North Loop areas, one of the more highly regarded AISD high schools. Research campus-level ratings carefully; district-wide quality varies significantly.
One of the top-rated large districts in Texas. Vista Ridge HS, Cedar Park HS, Rouse HS all highly rated. Strong athletic programs and academic results. The top reason families accept the 183A commute over living closer to IBM in Austin proper.
One of the top large districts in Central Texas, accessible via US-183 north from IBM's campus in 20 to 28 minutes. A viable option for IBM families who want top schools and are open to a slightly longer commute north rather than going west.
Outstanding ratings, Lake Travis HS is one of the top schools in Texas. Accessible from IBM via 620/2222 west in 30 to 42 minutes. A premium option for IBM buyers with $700K+ budgets who want Hill Country living and elite schools.
The Financial Upside
Texas has zero state income tax. On a $150K IBM salary, that's $8,000 to $13,500 more take-home per year vs. California or New York. IBM's Austin office draws extensively from both coasts, for employees relocating from high-tax states, the difference shows up immediately in your first paycheck and compounds with every raise and bonus.
Texas property taxes run 1.8%, 2.4% of assessed value. On a $650K home in Allandale, budget $11,700 to $15,600/year ($975 to $1,300/mo). Travis County (Austin proper) rates tend to be slightly higher than Williamson County (Cedar Park, Round Rock). Factor this into your mortgage affordability calculation when comparing Austin vs. suburbs.
Texas offers a homestead exemption that reduces your home's taxable value. File with Travis CAD or Williamson CAD after January 1 of your first full year of ownership. On a $700K home, this typically saves $1,200 to $1,800/year. A simple one-time filing that pays dividends annually, IBM's HR onboarding rarely mentions it.
Before You Arrive
Common Questions
IBM's primary Austin campus is at 11400 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758, in North Austin at the intersection of Burnet Rd and US-183. This is just west of the Domain and Arboretum area, with direct access to MoPac (Loop 1) and US-183. The Burnet Rd corridor runs south into Allandale, Crestview, and Hyde Park, established central Austin neighborhoods within 12 to 18 minutes of campus.
The most common areas are Cedar Park, Great Hills/Balcones, the Domain area, and Allandale/Crestview. Cedar Park and Leander via 183A are popular for families. Great Hills is the closest established neighborhood with excellent schools. Allandale and Crestview on Burnet Rd are a unique IBM advantage, walkable, characterful Austin neighborhoods within 12 to 18 minutes via Burnet Rd.
Domain/Arboretum: 5 to 10 min. Great Hills: 8 to 15 min. Allandale/Crestview: 12 to 18 min via Burnet Rd. Cedar Park: 15 to 22 min via 183A. Leander: 20 to 30 min via 183A. Hyde Park/North Loop: 15 to 22 min via Burnet Rd or Lamar. Central Austin/Mueller: 18 to 28 min via MoPac or 183. Avoid South Austin, Kyle, Buda, and East Austin, 35 to 55 min in the wrong direction.
IBM offers relocation packages for new hires and transfers, varying significantly by role level and business unit. Packages typically cover moving expenses; senior roles may include temporary housing allowances. Confirm specifics with IBM HR, if your package includes short-term housing, use that window to explore neighborhoods before committing to a purchase.
IBM's Burnet Rd campus is uniquely positioned between the Domain-area tech corridor and Central Austin's established neighborhoods. Unlike Apple (further north on Riata Vista) or Dell (in Round Rock), IBM employees can realistically live in Allandale, Crestview, or Hyde Park with a sub-20 minute commute. This urban Austin option is not available to most Austin tech employees.
Yes. Great Hills and Allandale are served by Austin ISD, research campus-level ratings carefully as they vary within the district. Cedar Park and Leander are served by Leander ISD, one of the top-rated large districts in Texas. Hyde Park feeds into Lamar MS and McCallum HS, strong AISD campuses. Many IBM families choose Cedar Park or Leander for school quality while accepting the slightly longer commute.
Work With Luke
I specialize in helping tech employees relocate to Austin. IBM's Burnet Rd campus gives you more neighborhood options than almost any other Austin tech employer, I'll help you figure out whether you're an Allandale buyer or a Cedar Park buyer, and get you into a home before your start date.
My buyer representation is free. Most IBM relocations start the search 60 to 90 days before their start date, reach out now and we'll have time to do it right.