Real Estate Investing in Abilene, Texas (79605)

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

Taylor County • Population: 28,257 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 79605 (Abilene, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Abilene, TX (79605)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $182,823
Avg Monthly Rent $1,718
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,890
% Renters 46.0%

Market Analysis: 79605 Abilene

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 79605 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $183K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 79605 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

ZIP 79605's metrics run below Taylor County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 79605 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

trends toward 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 Abilene:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 78/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,718/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
⚖️
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 79605

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$59,336/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $120,348 $1,360 8.1% +5.9% $60,174
3BR $178,009 $1,760 7.1% +6.4% $59,336
4BR $252,332 $2,120 6.0% +6.2% $63,083

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$191K$167K$143K$120K$96K$72KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,824$1,597$1,371$1,144$917$690Jun 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 79605 Compare?

Metric 79605 Abilene Abilene, TX Texas
Home Value $182,823 $141,154 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 6.0% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,718 $2,094 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.3% 7.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 79605? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 46% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 79605 (Abilene, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.3%
Good
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📉 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 $182,823
Monthly Rent $1,718
Price-to-Rent 8.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.3%
Cap Rate 7.3%
5-Year IRR 13.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +22.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +13.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +11.4% ▲
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.3%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
10.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 79605

Population: 28,257

💰 Median Household Income
$56,890
This area
$56,890
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
46.0%
This area
46.0%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.0%
This area
24.0%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.5 years
This area
33.5 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.7%
This area
10.7%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 69.9%
Other/Mixed 19.6%
Hispanic/Latino 15.3%
Black/African American 9.1%
Asian 1.3%
👶 Under 18
24.1%
This area
24.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.1%
This area
15.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.8%
This area
10.8%
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 79605

B Avg School Grade
8 Schools
17.1:1 Avg Class Size
$13,439 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

BONHAM EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
478 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ALCORTA EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

AUSTIN EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
699 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CLACK MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
740 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MADISON MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
778 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

COOPER H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,596 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,351 Per Student
C+ Average

CROCKETT EARLY HEADSTART

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
👥
132 Students
💰
$14,351 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

PREMIER H S OF ABILENE

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
174 Students
👨‍🏫
30.5:1 Class Size
💰
$7,056 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
McMurry University
2,549 students · 2.0 mi
C
Texas College of Cosmetology-Abilene
74 students · 2.3 mi
D
Neecee's Barber College
33 students · 3.1 mi
D
Hardin-Simmons University
1,655 students · 4.0 mi
C+
Abilene Christian University
5,114 students · 4.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TX a landlord-friendly state?

TX law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Abilene inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

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

Tenant quality in Abilene, TX ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $1,718/mo.

How do home values compare in Abilene, TX?

The median home value in Abilene, TX is roughly $183K. That puts it reasonable relative to the TX statewide average.

How does Abilene, TX stack up for property investment?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Abilene, TX ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $183K and rents of $1,718/mo drive the underlying numbers.

What is the best play in Abilene, TX?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Abilene, TX. The numbers - $183K homes against $1,718/mo rents - support that play.

You know 79605 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 79605 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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How 79605 ranks in Abilene, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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