Real Estate Investing in Dripping Springs, Texas (78620)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Hays County • Population: 20,624 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78620 (Dripping Springs, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (42/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Declining values: 0.0% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

What’s happening in Dripping Springs, TX (78620)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $684,808
Avg Monthly Rent $2,406
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $138,639
% Renters 14.0%

Market Analysis: 78620 Dripping Springs

The 78620 ZIP covers a section of Dripping Springs that demands careful diligence. Prices near $685K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $2,406/mo on a $685K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 78620 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 78620's metrics run below Hays County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 78620 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Dripping Springs averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Dripping Springs:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,406/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
89 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.5%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 78620

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$169,351/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $454,532 $1,850 2.9% +4.4% $227,266
3BR $508,052 $2,350 3.3% +5.6% $169,351
4BR $742,851 $2,760 2.7% +6.5% $185,713
5BR $936,167 +7.4% $187,233

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$919K$778K$638K$497K$357K$216KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,098$2,892$2,687$2,481$2,276$2,070May 2022Jun 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78620 Compare?

Metric 78620 Dripping Springs Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX Texas
Home Value $684,808 $684,808 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $2,406 $2,406 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78620 (Dripping Springs, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Hays County

Manage rentals here? List your business →
Jenkins Property Management
Dripping Springs, TX

Jenkins Property Management provides property management services. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
0.0%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $684,808
Monthly Rent $2,406
Price-to-Rent 23.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 2.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR -2.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR 0.0% ▼
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -19.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR -6.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
6.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
0.0%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78620

Population: 20,624

💰 Median Household Income
$138,639
This area
$138,639
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.0%
This area
14.0%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
61.7%
This area
61.7%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.7 years
This area
41.7 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.2%
This area
6.2%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.9%
Other/Mixed 10.5%
Hispanic/Latino 6.8%
Asian 2.6%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
25.4%
This area
25.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 78620

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.9:1 Avg Class Size
$14,269 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

DRIPPING SPRINGS MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
920 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,269 Per Student
B+ Above Average

WALNUT SPRINGS EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
916 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,269 Per Student
B+ Above Average

DRIPPING SPRINGS EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
1,059 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,269 Per Student
B Good

DRIPPING SPRINGS H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,484 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,269 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight is the rental market in Dripping Springs, TX?

Dripping Springs, TX vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Dripping Springs, TX?

House hacking works a challenging in Dripping Springs, TX. Rents of $2,406/mo against $685K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Dripping Springs, TX?

Tenant quality in Dripping Springs, TX ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $2,406/mo.

How much do tenants pay in Dripping Springs, TX?

Rental rates in Dripping Springs, TX average $2,406/mo. Tenant demand and $685K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Dripping Springs, TX?

Median home price in Dripping Springs, TX is near $685K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been even-keeled and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

You know 78620 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 78620 ranks in Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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