Relocating to Buda, TX: Every New Construction Community and What It Actually Costs

Quick Answer: If you are relocating to Buda, TX, and you want a brand new home, there are nine new construction communities actively selling right now. Starting prices run from $249,990 at Prairie Lakes up to $564,999 at Persimmon. Tax rates range from 2.05 percent to 2.88 percent depending on whether the community sits inside a MUD, and HOA dues run from $30 to $179 a month. The community you pick changes your monthly payment far more than most buyers expect.

By Brandon Holley, Broker/Owner, Holley Homes Realty

If you would rather watch than read, the full video is right above.

Buda is one of the most underrated towns in the greater Austin area, and I say that as someone who shows homes here almost every week. You have luxury homes, true starter homes, and a real range in between, which is honestly hard to find in Central Texas right now.

Add a solid Hays CISD school district, quick access to both Austin and San Antonio down I-35, and a downtown that still feels like a small town, and you can see why my relocation calls keep landing here.

This is a new construction guide. If you are shopping resale, this is not the article for you. What follows is every actively selling new build community in Buda, with the numbers that actually determine your payment.

What new construction communities are selling in Buda, TX right now?

Here is the full picture as of the taping. Starting prices are base prices, which means the cheapest way in before you touch a single option.

That is a spread of more than $300,000 inside one small town, which is exactly why Buda works for so many different buyers.

Which Buda new construction community is the most affordable?

Prairie Lakes by D.R. Horton is the most affordable, with homes starting at $249,990. The Porch at Du Pre starts at $279,000 and Stallion Run by Century Communities starts at $281,990. Prairie Lakes also carries a 2.76 percent tax rate and an $80 monthly HOA, so run the full payment before you decide.

Prairie Lakes gives you trails, a pool, and a soccer field at that price, which is more than most entry-level communities in Hays County offer. If affordability is the priority, it deserves a close look.

How much does a MUD change your payment in Buda?

This is the part I wish more buyers understood before they fall in love with a floor plan. Most of the newer master planned communities in Buda sit inside a Municipal Utility District, and that district adds its own rate on top of Hays County, the City of Buda, and Hays CISD.

Look at the two ends of that table. The Porch at Du Pre is at 2.05 percent. Stallion Run is at 2.88 percent. On a $400,000 home, that gap of 0.83 percent is about $3,320 a year, or roughly $277 a month, before you have compared a single countertop.

Here is the insight I only picked up from running these numbers for buyers over and over. A cheaper home in a MUD district can cost you more in annual property tax than a pricier home outside one. Prairie Lakes at $249,990 with a 2.76 percent rate runs about $6,900 a year. Turners Crossing at $324,990 with a 2.0719 percent rate runs about $6,733. The Turners Crossing buyer gets $75,000 more house and a slightly smaller tax bill.

That is a full assessed value illustration before exemptions, and your actual bill depends on your lot and your homestead status. Pull the tax certificate from the Hays County tax office before you write an offer. Always.

Which Buda communities stand out and why?

Sunfield is the biggest and most established of the group, and it shows. Seven builders are active, so the product and price variety is real, and the amenities are a step above everything else in town. Two lazy rivers, an event center, trails, and parks. If you want a genuine resort-style community, Sunfield is hard to beat.

The Porch at Du Pre is the one that surprises people. These are detached condos from Risewell Homes and Prominence Homes starting at $279,000, and the location is what makes them unusual. You are within walking distance of historic downtown Buda, which is rare for new construction anywhere in Central Texas. Fun local note: Buda was originally called Du Pre back when it was a train depot town, so the name is a nod to that history. The tax rate is a notably low 2.05 percent, and the HOA is $179 a month, which reflects the condo structure. If you want a lock-and-leave lifestyle or you want to walk to Main Street for dinner, this one is worth a serious look.

Porter Country is MileStone's more attainable Buda community, starting at $329,999 with trails and a pond, a 2.545 percent rate, and $65 a month in dues. Persimmon is Milestone's newer, higher-end play at $564,999.

The Colony at Cole Springs just came on the scene with Meritage and MI Homes, starting around $489,999, and it will feature trails, pickleball courts, and a pool. The HOA is still being finalized, so that number is the one to ask about directly.

If you would like to see a related video on this topic, the one above (or below) is a great next watch.

Who should be relocating to Buda, TX for new construction?

This fits you well if:

• You want a new build under $350,000, and you are willing to trade a little distance from central Austin for it
• You want resort-level amenities without a custom home budget, which is the Sunfield case
• You want a low-maintenance home walkable to a real downtown, which is the Porch at Du Pre case
• You are commuting to Austin or San Antonio and want I-35 access from both directions
• You want a Hays CISD address with newer schools nearby

You should probably look elsewhere if:

• You want mature trees, an established street, and a home with history, because Buda new construction is by definition brand new
• You are highly tax sensitive and unwilling to take on a MUD, since most of these communities carry one
• You need to be inside Austin city limits for work or lifestyle reasons
• You want to negotiate hard on price, since builders typically move on incentives and rate buydowns rather than base price
  

Check out the Free Holley Homes Realty Relocation Guide for Buda, TX - https://holleyhomesrealty.com/moving-to-buda-tx

Frequently asked questions about relocating to Buda, TX

What is the cheapest new construction community in Buda, TX?

Prairie Lakes by D.R. Horton is currently the most affordable, with base prices starting at $249,990. The Porch at Du Pre follows at $279,000 and Stallion Run at $281,990. Keep in mind that base price is only part of the story. The tax rate and HOA dues in each community change your monthly payment significantly, so compare the full number.

Do all new construction communities in Buda have a MUD tax?

No, but most do. Of the nine active communities, Turners Crossing at 2.0719 percent and The Porch at Du Pre at 2.05 percent carry the lowest rates. Willow Springs, Stallion Run, Prairie Lakes, Porter Country, Sunfield, and Persimmon all sit inside a MUD, with rates from roughly 2.545 percent to 2.88 percent depending on the district.

What school district serves Buda, TX new construction?

Buda is served by Hays CISD. Individual campus assignments vary by community, so a home in Sunfield and a home in Porter Country will not necessarily feed the same elementary school. Zoning also shifts as new campuses open, which happens often in a district growing this fast. Always verify the current assignment with Hays CISD before you commit.

Which Buda community has the best amenities?

Sunfield, without much argument. It has two lazy rivers, an event center, trails, and parks, and it is the most established of the group with seven builders active. Prairie Lakes adds a soccer field alongside its pool and trails, and The Colony at Cole Springs is bringing pickleball courts and a pool. Turners Crossing also has pickleball.

How far is Buda from Austin?

Buda sits directly on I-35 about 15 miles south of downtown Austin, which is typically a 20 to 30 minute drive depending on traffic. You are also positioned for a straight shot south toward San Marcos and San Antonio. That two-direction access is one of the main reasons relocation buyers who work in either metro end up looking here.

Is new construction in Buda a good value in 2026?

For the right buyer, yes. You can still get into a brand new home in the $250,000s here, which is difficult to find closer to Austin. The tradeoff is the tax rate in MUD communities and the fact that these neighborhoods are still filling in. If you value newness and warranty over mature trees and location, the value is real.

About the Author

Brandon Holley is the Broker and Owner of Holley Homes Realty in Austin, Texas. He works with first-time homebuyers, new construction clients, and relocation buyers moving to Central Texas from across the country. Brandon hosts a recurring segment on American Dream TV and runs the YouTube channel Your Austin Home Guide, where he breaks down communities, builders, and neighborhoods across Austin, Buda, Kyle, Bastrop, and the surrounding suburbs.

Have a question or thinking about a move to Central Texas? Reach out anytime.

Grab some time - https://calendar.app.google/xsaBqSKfNaXiuZXs7

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@brandonholleyhomes

About me - https://holleyhomesrealty.com/agents/brandon-holley

Relocating to Buda, TX comes down to matching the community to your actual budget, not just the sticker price on the model home. If you tell me your monthly number, I can work backward and show you which of these nine communities you can genuinely afford once taxes and HOA dues are in the math.

I understand now may not be the right time, and I never want to be pushy; just know that I am here if you have questions, would like to start planning, or need anything.