Congrats on joining Applied Materials! If you’re moving to Austin for it, one of the first things to figure out is where to live. There are rental options all over the city, from downtown apartments to houses in the suburbs, but the right spot depends a lot on where you’ll be working. Applied’s Austin campus is off US 290 in northeast Austin, near Lake Walter E. Long and just west of Manor, which is a different part of town from where most people start their search.
Finding a room to rent near Applied Materials can take some digging. A lot of Austin’s apartments and shared housing are closer to the city center, and if you’re an intern or co-op, a lease that fits a summer or a semester is even harder to find. We have lease terms that work for interns too. Below are our top options, starting with the closest, plus what to know if you’re here for an internship.
Why does living close to Applied Materials matter?
The US 290 campus is where all of Applied’s Austin manufacturing happens. It’s one of the largest manufacturing plants in the region, with roughly 3,300 people working for Applied in Austin. Much of the work is hands-on, building and testing chip and display equipment in cleanrooms, and the site runs first, swing, night, and weekend shifts. When your shift starts early or ends late, a short drive home makes a real difference.
How far are our homes from Applied Materials?
These are door-to-door drive times, from each home’s front door to Applied’s campus at 9700 US Highway 290 East, closest first:
| Home | Area | Distance | Drive* | Open rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapala | Manor | 5.5 mi | 10 min | 3 |
| Arborside | North Austin | 7.7 mi | 15 min | — |
| Caballo Blanco | East Austin | 12.6 mi | 17 min | 1 |
| Mary Lewis | South Austin | 21.1 mi | 33 min | 1 |
*Typical drive without traffic; rush hour takes longer.
Drive times are for an empty road. US 290 gets busy at rush hour, so give yourself a few extra minutes in your first week while you learn the timing.
What is Chapala like for Applied Materials employees?
Chapala is our closest home to Applied, about 10 minutes and 5.5 miles away, mostly along US 290. From downtown Austin, the same trip is about 17 minutes without traffic, so you’d be cutting the drive by close to half. It’s in the Lagos neighborhood of Manor, just east of the campus, and we hear from a lot of people starting at Applied because it’s so close.
Our Applied residents at Chapala tell us the commute is easy and convenient, and they like how close the house is to grocery stores and places to eat. Having a furnished room makes it even better.
Being in Manor doesn’t mean being far from things. You can walk to historic downtown Manor, Walmart is about 5 minutes away, and H-E-B and the Tech Ridge Center are within 15. Downtown Austin is about 20 minutes away when you want to explore the city on the weekend.
The house is newly built, with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The common areas are furnished, and the bedrooms can be furnished too, which helps if you’re arriving with a suitcase and not much else. There’s also a large covered back patio and plenty of driveway parking.
Is Arborside in North Austin a good option for Applied?
Arborside works well if you want to be a little closer to the rest of Austin. It’s about 15 minutes to Applied’s campus and about 15 to 20 minutes to downtown. The 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home is in the Pioneer Hill neighborhood, with a community pool, H-E-B and Walmart 5 to 10 minutes away, and the Tech Ridge Center about 10 minutes away. The common areas are furnished, and the bedrooms are unfurnished, so you can set up your room your way.
Which rooms are open near Applied Materials right now?
These are our open rooms, closest to Applied first. Prices, bathroom setup, and move-in dates are on each room’s page.
Chapala — Unit B
Furnished private room with private bath
Available September 2026
Chapala — Unit C
Furnished private room with private bath
Available September 2026
Chapala — Unit E
Furnished private room with shared bath
Available September 2026
Caballo Blanco — Unit B
Private room with private bath
Available September 2026
Mary Lewis — Unit D
Private room with shared bath
Available September 2026
Can I rent a room for an Applied Materials internship or co-op?
Yes. Austin is one of Applied’s two largest US sites for hiring interns and new grads, and interns work on-site. Most of Applied’s internships run 8 to 12 weeks in the summer, and co-ops usually run 6 to 8 months.
Our minimum lease is 3 months, which covers a full summer internship, and a co-op fits easily. If your internship is shorter than 3 months, reach out and we’ll see what we can do. If your offer includes relocation assistance, a furnished room is an easy way to make it go further, since you won’t need to buy or move furniture for a few months.
Why do Applied Materials interns and new hires rent a room instead of an apartment?
The reasons we hear most from interns and new hires:
- It costs less than an apartment. You pay for your room plus an even share of utilities, not a full one-bedroom’s rent.
- It’s easier to make friends. Moving to a new city can be lonely at first, and a shared home gives you people to cook, work out, or explore Austin with.
- There’s less to set up. Common areas are furnished, utilities are coordinated for you, and shared spaces are cleaned monthly, so you can focus on your first weeks at work.
How do I rent a room near Applied Materials?
- Fill out the interest form with your start date and lease length.
- We’ll set up a short intro call and a tour. Virtual tours are available if you’re moving from out of state.
- Complete the application and background check.
- Sign the lease and pay the deposit and first month’s rent to reserve the room.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Chapala from Applied Materials in Austin?
About 5.5 miles, or roughly 10 minutes door to door by car without traffic.
How long is the drive from downtown Austin to Applied Materials?
About 11 miles, or roughly 17 minutes without traffic. Rush hour on US 290 takes longer.
Do you offer short-term leases for Applied Materials interns?
Our minimum lease is 3 months, which covers a summer internship, and co-ops fit easily. If your internship is shorter, reach out and we’ll see what we can do.
Are the rooms furnished?
Common areas are furnished in every home. Some bedrooms are furnished too; each room’s page says whether it is.
How are utilities handled?
Utilities are coordinated for you and split evenly among the residents each month, so there are no accounts to set up.