Choosing between Temple and Georgetown can feel like choosing between two good options with very different strengths. You may want faster access to Austin jobs, or you might be aiming for more house and yard for your budget. You could be weighing healthcare access, commute times, taxes, or lifestyle. In this guide, you’ll get a clear, side‑by‑side look at both cities so you can match your priorities to the right fit. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot: Temple vs Georgetown
Both cities sit along the I‑35 corridor in Central Texas, but they play different roles in the region.
- Georgetown is in Williamson County on the northern edge of the Austin metro. It functions as an Austin suburb with strong commuter ties to Round Rock and Austin.
- Temple is in Bell County within the Killeen–Temple–Fort Cavazos area. It serves as a regional center, especially for healthcare, and follows different growth dynamics than Austin suburbs.
If your top priority is a shorter drive to northern Austin or Round Rock job centers, Georgetown generally offers an advantage. If your focus is affordability, larger lots at a given budget, or proximity to Bell County healthcare and military employment, Temple often stands out.
Housing and affordability
What you’ll find in Georgetown
Georgetown offers a mix of historic homes close to the downtown square, newer master‑planned neighborhoods, and a notable selection of active adult communities. The area has seen a higher rate of new construction in recent years, shaped by Austin’s expansion and demand from commuters.
Typical patterns in Georgetown include:
- Newer subdivisions and master‑planned communities with HOA and possible special district assessments
- A price per square foot that is commonly higher than in Temple
- Tighter inventory tied to Austin‑area demand and ongoing growth pressure
What you’ll find in Temple
Temple’s housing stock ranges from established, older neighborhoods to more affordable new subdivisions. Buyers often find more options for lower price points and the potential for larger lots at a similar budget compared with Georgetown.
Common Temple advantages include:
- Broader affordability bands for first‑time buyers and value‑focused shoppers
- Access to regional employment clusters in healthcare and education
- A mix of older homes and newer builds without the same Austin‑driven pricing pressure
How to benchmark current pricing
Markets move quickly. For a current snapshot, review recent median sale prices, price per square foot, days on market, and months of supply from sources like local MLS reports or state market publications. Look at the past 12 months for both cities to see the latest trend lines. You can also compare building permit activity to gauge the new‑construction pipeline.
Commutes, corridors, and employer access
Drive times and daily patterns
Both cities rely on I‑35 for north–south movement through Central Texas.
- From Georgetown, many commuters reach parts of Round Rock and northern Austin in roughly 20 to 45 minutes, depending on destination and traffic. Toll routes such as SH 130 can influence route choices for some trips.
- From Temple, count on longer drives to Austin job centers. Many Austin destinations are typically 60 minutes or more, while Temple offers shorter drives within the Killeen–Temple–Waco corridor.
Public transit is limited in both cities, and most commuting is car‑based. If you plan to commute, test peak‑hour drive times to your specific workplace before deciding.
Employer clusters to consider
- Temple: A regional healthcare hub anchored by Baylor Scott & White Health and other medical facilities. Proximity to Fort Cavazos and Killeen also shapes demand and commuting patterns.
- Georgetown: Close to Austin‑area employers, including tech and professional services in Round Rock and north Austin. Local employment includes schools, county government, and regional services, with many residents commuting into the Austin metro.
If access to specialty medical care is a priority, Temple’s concentration of providers is a meaningful advantage. If your goal is to stay close to the Austin tech corridor, Georgetown places you nearer to those job centers.
Property taxes and monthly costs
Texas property tax basics
Texas has no state income tax. Property taxes fund local services through overlapping jurisdictions such as city, county, school district, hospital district, and special districts like MUDs. Your county appraisal district determines the appraised value. Homestead exemptions and additional relief for seniors or disabled homeowners can reduce the school tax portion for a primary residence.
What affects your payment in each city
- Georgetown (Williamson County) and Temple (Bell County) have different composite tax rates based on the mix of city, county, school district, and special districts where a home sits.
- Higher property values in Georgetown can lead to larger dollar tax bills even if the nominal rate is similar to other areas.
- Temple’s generally lower assessed values can reduce the dollar amount due, though local rates and special districts may offset some of that difference.
- Master‑planned communities, more common in Georgetown, often come with HOAs and may include MUDs or other assessments that impact monthly carrying costs.
How to estimate your annual tax
Use this simple approach for a primary residence:
- Appraised value × (1 − homestead exemption percentage) = taxable value for school tax.
- Taxable value × combined tax rate = estimated annual tax.
- Divide by 12 to estimate your monthly tax escrow.
Be sure to add HOA dues, any MUD assessments, tolls for your commute if you plan to use them, and insurance. Review your county appraisal district website for exemption qualifications and deadlines.
Lifestyle and amenities
Georgetown highlights
Georgetown features a historic downtown square with dining and events, plus parks and trails along the San Gabriel River and Lake Georgetown. The city’s active adult market is well known, and proximity to Austin expands options for entertainment, retail, and professional services.
Temple highlights
Temple offers a mid‑sized city feel with family‑oriented recreation and convenient access to regional lakes and parks, including nearby Belton Lake. As a healthcare center, it provides strong access to medical services and specialists. Retail corridors and local events add to daily convenience.
Community character
Growth in Georgetown is closely tied to the Austin metro and has brought significant new development. Temple’s growth reflects its regional employment base in healthcare, education, government, and military, and it generally maintains a broader affordability range for buyers.
Schools and education
School districts matter for many buyers. Georgetown ISD and Temple ISD serve most homes in their respective cities, and district boundaries or program offerings can change over time. Always verify current boundaries and performance through official sources such as the Texas Education Agency and the local districts before making decisions. If schools are a top priority, include campus visits and direct conversations with district offices in your due diligence.
Which buyers fit each city
Georgetown is a strong fit if you want
- Shorter drive times to Round Rock and northern Austin employers
- Newer master‑planned communities and active adult options
- A suburban lifestyle with quick access to Austin amenities
- Market dynamics influenced by Austin spillover that may affect resale trends
Temple is a strong fit if you want
- More house or a larger lot within a set budget
- Close proximity to Bell County healthcare and regional employers
- A value‑forward market with diverse single‑family options
- Central positioning for the Killeen–Temple–Waco corridor
Resale, investment, and hidden costs
- Resale trends: Georgetown often reflects Austin‑area demand, while Temple follows regional dynamics tied to healthcare and military employment. Review recent median price changes and days on market in both cities for the last 12 months to inform expectations.
- Rent versus buy: Compare local rents to your potential mortgage payment and taxes. Investors can look at cap rates using recent sales and current rents to size up potential returns.
- Hidden costs: Budget for HOA dues, possible MUD assessments, and tolls if you choose certain commute routes. These can shape your monthly cost more than you expect.
How to make the choice
Use a simple, data‑driven checklist:
- Commute mapping
- Time peak‑hour drives from a few target neighborhoods to your specific workplace. Test both directions and alternate routes.
- Monthly cost model
- Add principal and interest, property taxes, insurance, HOA or MUD fees, utilities, and tolls. Compare a few homes in both cities with similar features.
- Lifestyle match
- List your top three non‑negotiables, such as access to medical care, trails and parks, or proximity to a particular activity hub.
- School due diligence
- Verify district boundaries and review official accountability reports if schools are important to your decision.
- Resale lens
- Review the past year of sales data for your target neighborhoods, including days on market and supply levels, to understand velocity and competition.
When you weigh these side by side, Georgetown typically shines for Austin‑centric commuters and master‑planned community options. Temple often wins for affordability, lot size, and healthcare access. The right choice depends on which tradeoffs you value most.
Ready to explore neighborhoods and run the numbers for your situation? Reach out to the local team that knows both markets and can guide you calmly through each step. Connect with the advisors at Black White Real Estate to map your move with clarity and confidence.
FAQs
What is the commute difference between Temple and Georgetown?
- Georgetown commonly offers 20 to 45 minute drives to parts of Round Rock and northern Austin, while Temple commutes to Austin are often 60 minutes or more. Temple is better positioned for Killeen and Waco.
How do property taxes compare in Temple and Georgetown?
- Total tax depends on overlapping jurisdictions and appraised value. Georgetown’s higher home values can mean larger dollar bills, while Temple’s lower values may reduce the amount due. Add HOA and any MUD fees.
Which city offers better access to medical care?
- Temple has a major advantage due to its role as a regional healthcare hub anchored by Baylor Scott & White Health. Georgetown also has hospital access, with many specialties available in nearby Round Rock and Austin.
Where will my budget go further on lot size or new homes?
- Temple often provides more options for larger lots and lower entry prices at a similar budget. Georgetown offers more master‑planned choices but typically at higher prices per square foot.
Are there 55+ or active adult communities in either city?
- Georgetown has a notable active adult market within its master‑planned landscape. Temple offers a range of single‑family options, with community types varying by neighborhood.
What hidden monthly costs should I plan for?
- Plan for HOA dues, possible MUD assessments in newer communities, toll expenses for certain routes, insurance, and utilities. These can shift the true monthly total.
How might resale trends differ over time?
- Georgetown often reflects Austin‑area demand patterns, while Temple follows regional drivers like healthcare and military employment. Review recent 12‑month data for your target neighborhoods to set expectations.
