Real Estate Investing in Abilene, Texas (79601)

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

Taylor County • Population: 26,917 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 79601 (Abilene, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (81/100)

A balanced market — moderate cash flow and moderate appreciation. A "steady" investor profile fits best.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 19.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Abilene, TX (79601)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $217,712
Avg Monthly Rent $2,218
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $53,049
% Renters 53.3%

Market Analysis: 79601 Abilene

Investors looking for drama won't find it in 79601. The Abilene, TX ZIP offers $218K homes, steady $2,218/mo rents, and a a strong candidate for risk profile.

Stable does not mean boring — it means underwritable. ZIP 79601 sits at consistent rent collection, moderate price movement, and a tenant base of 53% renters.

In Taylor County, ZIP 79601 reads as a dependable comp. Its numbers move in line with Abilene averages, which is a an appealing option for signal for underwriters who value predictability.

Who lives in 79601 has not changed much in five years, and that is precisely why the numbers look the same. Demographic stability feeds market stability.

Core portfolios, patient capital, and first-time landlords all tend to find 79601 a sensible holding. That consistency across investor types is the defining strategic feature.

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 Abilene:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,218/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Abilene, TX Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
34 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.1%
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 Abilene, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 79601

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$58,466/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $93,300 $900 6.9% +7.0% $93,300
2BR $116,932 $1,130 7.0% +8.3% $58,466
3BR $225,376 $1,470 4.7% +6.8% $75,125
4BR $282,338 $1,760 4.5% +6.2% $70,584

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$228K$198K$169K$139K$110K$80KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,306$2,052$1,798$1,543$1,289$1,035Dec 2021Apr 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 79601 Compare?

Metric 79601 Abilene Abilene, TX Texas
Home Value $217,712 $141,154 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 6.7% 6.0% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $2,218 $2,094 N/A -
Cap Rate 8.0% 7.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 79601? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $2,218/mo on homes averaging $217,712 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

53% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 79601 (Abilene, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.0%
Good
5yr Growth
+6.7%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Abilene, TX metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
38%
Days Pending
0/2
34 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $217,712
Monthly Rent $2,218
Price-to-Rent 8.2:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 12.2%
Cap Rate 8.0%
5-Year IRR 14.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +45.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +17.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.0%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
19.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 79601

Population: 26,917

💰 Median Household Income
$53,049
This area
$53,049
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
53.3%
This area
53.3%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.0%
This area
20.0%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
29.5 years
This area
29.5 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.4%
Other/Mixed 17.0%
Hispanic/Latino 13.9%
Black/African American 12.6%
Asian 2.9%
👶 Under 18
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.1%
This area
11.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.5%
This area
14.5%
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 79601

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.0:1 Avg Class Size
$18,397 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

CRAIG MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
757 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

TAYLOR EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
640 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MULLIN NEW HORIZONS ABILIENE

📚 K – 11 High School
👥
17 Students
👨‍🏫
3.4:1 Class Size
💰
$30,533 Per Student
B+ Above Average

WOODSON CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
149 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 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

5 Nearby
C+
Abilene Christian University
5,114 students · 8.0 mi
D
Hardin-Simmons University
1,655 students · 8.3 mi
C
Texas College of Cosmetology-Abilene
74 students · 10.3 mi
C
McMurry University
2,549 students · 11.4 mi
D
Neecee's Barber College
33 students · 13.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Abilene, TX?

Average rent in Abilene, TX is approximately $2,218/mo per month. Against $218K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What are home prices like in Abilene, TX?

Median home price in Abilene, TX is near $218K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What kind of market is Abilene, TX for investors?

Our data puts Abilene, TX at 4.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $218K and rents around $2,218/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Does Abilene, TX favor landlords or tenants?

Abilene, TX operates under TX law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How viable is house hacking in Abilene, TX?

House hacking in Abilene, TX is an attractive. With home values around $218K and rents at $2,218/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 79601 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 79601 ranks in Abilene, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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