Real Estate Investing in Austin, Texas (78735)

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

Travis • Population: 20,112 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78735 (Austin, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (31/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
2 flags
  • Declining values: -0.3% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 40.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Austin, TX (78735)?

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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 $829,910
Avg Monthly Rent $1,708
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $118,593
% Renters 53.7%

Market Analysis: 78735 Austin

This part of Travis is not an easy win. The 78735 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 78735 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 78735 among TX's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A robust renter share of 54% in 78735 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 78735 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Austin:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 46/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,708/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 78735

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$201,330/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $402,660 $2,210 4.0% +3.0% $201,330
3BR $660,207 $2,800 3.1% +4.6% $220,069
4BR $1,002,718 $3,290 2.4% +6.3% $250,680
5BR $1,992,754 +9.6% $398,551

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.1M$906K$754K$603K$451K$299KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,040$1,906$1,772$1,638$1,503$1,369Dec 2017Apr 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78735 Compare?

Metric 78735 Austin Texas
Home Value $829,910 $561,613 $297,000
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,708 $1,810 -
Cap Rate 1.6% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 78735? Click to expand

54% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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 78735 (Austin, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Travis County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

512-Society Property Management provides single-family and multi-family property management services across North Austin and Round Rock since 2005. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Darwin Homes offers tech-driven property management services, making renting easy with 24/7 support, smart locks for viewings, and assistance with moving and utility setup. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Guest Haus Property Management offers Airbnb and vacation rental management services in Austin. summary from their website

Short-term rentals
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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
1.6%
Low
5yr Growth
-0.3%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $829,910
Monthly Rent $1,708
Price-to-Rent 40.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.5%
Cap Rate 1.6%
5-Year IRR 1.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR -1.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR -0.3% ▼
10-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -2.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.4% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.5% ▼
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.6%). 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
6.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.3%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78735

Population: 20,112

💰 Median Household Income
$118,593
This area
$118,593
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
53.7%
This area
53.7%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
70.7%
This area
70.7%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.7 years
This area
37.7 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.9%
This area
6.9%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.3%
Other/Mixed 8.8%
Asian 7.1%
Hispanic/Latino 4.9%
Black/African American 2.7%
👶 Under 18
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.3%
This area
14.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
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 78735

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.8:1 Avg Class Size
$26,950 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

OAK HILL EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
650 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$26,950 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
C
AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine
35 students · 4.8 mi
D
Baldwin Beauty School-South Austin
46 students · 5.3 mi
D
Texas Health and Science University
65 students · 5.4 mi
D
Southern Careers Institute-Austin
1,079 students · 5.7 mi
C
The Recording Conservatory of Austin
82 students · 6.8 mi
C+
Saint Edward's University
3,309 students · 7.2 mi
C
Avenue Five Institute-South Austin Campus
131 students · 7.3 mi
D
The University of Texas System Office
0 students · 7.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Austin, TX a good investment right now?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Austin, TX ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $830K and rents of $1,708/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Which investment style suits Austin, TX?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Austin, TX. The numbers - $830K homes against $1,708/mo rents - support that play.

Does Austin, TX favor landlords or tenants?

Landlord-friendliness in Austin, TX is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Austin, TX?

The tenant pool in Austin, TX is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,708/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How tight is the rental market in Austin, TX?

Rental vacancy in Austin, TX is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

You know 78735 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78735 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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