The Relocation Guide · Baylor Scott & White

Moving to Temple for Baylor Scott & White

Where to live near the hospital, what homes cost, and how to plan a move around a new job, a residency or a fellowship.

By the Magnolia Realty Temple-Belton Team · Updated September 2026

Baylor Scott & White is the heart of Temple. It began in 1897 as a small sanitarium opened by two local doctors, and today it is the city's largest employer by far. Every year, nurses, physicians, residents, researchers and staff move here to join the team, and many of them call us to help them find a place to land.

This guide is the conversation we have with every new hospital hire: which parts of town make the commute easy, what homes cost in each, and how to time a home purchase around a start date, a residency or a fellowship. The numbers come from a full year of local home sales.

The Medical Campus at a Glance

Employee counts from the Temple Economic Development Corporation. Hospital details from Baylor Scott & White Health.

Where Hospital Staff Live

The medical campus sits on the south side of Temple, near Loop 363 and South 31st Street. That puts a lot of Temple within a short drive, and Belton and Salado are close enough for an easy commute too. Here is how the main areas compare.

Price ranges show where the middle half of sales fell, based on Central Texas MLS closed sales, September 2025 to September 2026, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic and where you park.

Closest to the Hospital

If a short drive matters most, start with south and southwest Temple. Canyon Creek is an established neighborhood with homes built mostly in the 1980s and 1990s. Alta Vista and Wyndham Hill are from the 2010s, and Hartrick, Tanglewood and Legacy Ranch offer newer and larger homes farther south. Many homes here are zoned to Academy ISD or Belton ISD, even with a Temple address, so always check the district for a specific home.

Established Streets on the West Side

Western Hills has mature trees and homes from the 1960s through the early 1990s, and it was one of the quickest-selling neighborhoods in Temple this past year. Hills of Westwood has grown in phases since the mid-2000s and is zoned to Belton ISD.

New Construction and Lake Access

East Temple has some of the most budget-friendly new homes in the area, in communities like Pecan Creek and Oak Ridge. Northwest Temple, toward Lake Belton, is where much of Temple's growth has happened over the last decade, with Belton ISD zoning and Temple Lake Park a short drive away. Our new construction guide covers what to know before you visit a model home.

See every neighborhood, with prices, years built and time to sell, in our Temple neighborhood guide.

Living in Belton or Salado

Plenty of hospital staff live just outside Temple. Belton offers a historic downtown, two lakes close by and newer neighborhoods on its south and west sides, and most of Belton is a 15 to 25 minute drive to the medical campus. Salado, a creekside village about 20 minutes south on I-35, offers bigger lots and newer homes at a higher price point.

Our Belton guide, Salado guide and Temple vs. Belton guide cover each in detail.

Timing Your Move

If You Are Starting a New Job

• Start the conversation early. A typical financed purchase takes about 30 to 45 days from contract to closing, so begin looking six to eight weeks before your start date if you want to move straight into your new home.
• Test the drive at shift change. If you will work nights or early mornings, drive the route at those times before you choose a neighborhood.
• Get pre-approved before you tour. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you are ready, which matters when you are shopping from out of town on a short timeline.

If You Are Coming for a Residency or Fellowship

• Plan around Match Day. Most residents learn where they matched in mid-March and start in late June or early July. That leaves roughly three months to find a home, which is plenty of time if you start early.
• Ask about physician loan programs. Some lenders offer loans designed for residents and physicians, often with lower down payment options. Compare them with conventional loans before you decide.
• Weigh buying against renting. For a three- to five-year program, buying can make sense, especially if you would keep the home as a rental after you finish. We can help you think through resale and rent potential before you buy.

If You Are Buying From Out of Town

• Tour by video. We can walk homes with you live on a video call, point out what photos miss and share what we know about the street.
• Handle much of the paperwork remotely. Your title company can tell you which closing documents can be signed electronically or with a remote notary.
• Plan one focused trip. Many out-of-town buyers narrow the list by video, then fly in for a weekend to see their top choices in person.

Life in Temple After Your Shift

Downtown Temple has been coming back to life, with restaurants and shops filling historic buildings near the restored Santa Fe depot, now home to the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. Temple Lake Park and Lake Belton are a short drive from the west side of town, and Austin is about an hour south when you want a day in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Temple neighborhoods are closest to Baylor Scott & White?

Neighborhoods in south and southwest Temple, like Canyon Creek, Alta Vista, Wyndham Hill, Hartrick, Tanglewood and Legacy Ranch, are about 5 to 10 minutes from the main campus.

How much do homes cost near Baylor Scott & White in Temple?

In south and southwest Temple, most homes sold between about $255,000 and $400,000 over the past year. Across all of Temple, most homes sold between about $225,000 and $340,000.

How far is Belton from Baylor Scott & White Temple?

Most of Belton is about 15 to 25 minutes from the medical campus, depending on the neighborhood and traffic.

When should residents start looking for a home in Temple?

Most residents learn their match in mid-March and start in late June or early July. Starting your search soon after Match Day leaves time to find a home and close before orientation.

Can I buy a home in Temple before I move?

Yes. Many of our clients tour by video, get pre-approved and handle much of the closing paperwork remotely, then visit in person to see their top choices.

What school districts serve neighborhoods near the hospital?

Depending on the address, homes near the medical campus may be zoned to Temple ISD, Belton ISD or Academy ISD. Always confirm school assignments for a specific address with the district.