The honest comparison — HOA costs, golf access, scale, property taxes, and who each community is actually right for
| Category | Sun City Texas | Kissing Tree | Trilogy Rough Hollow | Del Webb Sweetwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOA / Month | ~$100 | ~$263 | $350–$450 | TBD (active build) |
| Golf On-Site | 3 courses (extra cost) | Yes (on-site) | Nearby courses | No |
| Homes | ~9,500 | 3,200 planned | ~750 | Active build |
| Price Range | $300K–$700K | $350K–$700K | $600K–$1.5M+ | $400K–$700K |
| Location | Georgetown (30 mi N of Austin) | San Marcos (midway Austin/SA) | Lakeway (20 mi W of Austin) | Bee Cave / W Austin |
| Community Age | Est. 1995 — mature | 2016–present | 2010s–present | Newest |
| New Construction | Limited phases | Active | Limited | Active |
| Resale Inventory | Deep — hundreds of listings | Growing | Very limited | None yet |
| Austin Proximity | 30 mi — 35–45 min | 30 mi — 35–45 min | 20 mi — 25–35 min | 15 mi — 20–30 min |
| San Antonio Proximity | 50 mi | 50 mi (closest of all) | 70 mi | 75 mi |
| Lake / Water Access | No | Rivers nearby | Lake Travis access | No |
These are the two most compared communities in this market and the comparison most often gets narrowed to HOA cost ($100/mo vs $263/mo). That is the right place to start but the wrong place to stop. Sun City is 30 years older, has 3x the homes, 3 golf courses, and 150+ clubs. Kissing Tree is newer construction, has a better Hill Country setting, sits midway between both cities, and has on-site golf included in the community concept (though golfers still pay separately).
The $163/month HOA difference ($1,956/year) over 10 years is $19,560. That is real money. Whether Sun City's greater scale and amenity depth is worth less than $20,000 over a decade compared to Kissing Tree's newer homes and better positioning is the decision the comparison actually requires.
Sun City buyers want the deepest resale market, the most established social infrastructure, the lowest HOA, and golf access on 54 holes. Kissing Tree buyers want newer construction, Hill Country aesthetics, the I-35 corridor positioning between both major cities, and a community that feels like it is still building energy rather than coasting on 30 years of history. Both are legitimate preferences — but they are different communities for different people, not interchangeable options at different price points.
These two communities serve almost entirely different buyer profiles. Trilogy at Rough Hollow is a luxury enclave in Lakeway on Lake Travis — smaller scale, much higher price points ($600K–$1.5M+), water access, Shea Homes construction quality, and HOA rates of $350–$450/month that reflect the premium location and amenity investment. Sun City is accessible, value-oriented, and massive. The comparison only makes sense for buyers who are genuinely considering both price points.
Buyers who can afford Trilogy and are drawn to the lake lifestyle, Hill Country views, and proximity to Austin's west side should look at it seriously. Buyers whose budget is $400K–$550K will find Sun City Texas the more realistic option.
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