“The reasons vary, but boil down to Austin’s relative unwillingness–thanks to NIMBYism and regulations–to build more housing.”
“Large or small, neighborhood groups in Austin,” writes the Austin Business Journal, “are not shy about flexing their political muscle to prevent development they do not like — even if existing rules permit it.”
The first sentence was a gross over simplification and doesn’t explain the housing appreciation taking place in Williamson (outside of COA) and Hays Counties.
The second sentence is absolutely true, case in point being the proposed hotel on E. Cesar Chavez that was shot down last year despite conforming to existing zoning and not requesting any variances.