January 2025 Central Texas Housing Market Report

Unlock MLS launches monthly leasing data, offering a more transparent housing market outlook

AUSTIN, Texas—In January, closed sales across the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA saw a slight increase of 1.1% year-over-year to 1,761 sales, according to the latest Central Texas Housing Report released by Unlock MLS. While shifts in affordability and inventory continue to shape the market, the rise in active listings–up 17.0% from last year–indicates increased buyer opportunities. At the same time, a notable 11.7% year-over-year increase in closed leases highlights the persistent demand for rental options as many navigate affordability challenges.

Clare Knapp, Ph.D., housing economist for Unlock MLS and the Austin Board of REALTORS^®, noted that rising mortgage rates and ongoing affordability challenges have driven first-time homebuyers to lease single-family homes as a more accessible option.

“The single-family leasing market is often a more affordable option for potential homebuyers, and with median rents stabilizing at $2,195 in the MSA, we’re seeing a shift in dynamics. While home prices increased nearly 40% from 2019 to 2024, rents rose a more moderate 25%, making leasing a relatively more accessible option–particularly for potential first-time buyers. However, while leasing provides short-term affordability and flexibility, renters miss out on the long-term financial benefits of building equity through homeownership. With more inventory in both the for-sale and for-lease markets, potential homeowners and renters have more options than ever before. This dynamic allows them the opportunity to plan for a transition into homeownership while still benefitting from competitive lease options.”

Brandy Wuensch, 2025 Unlock MLS and ABoR president, emphasized that Unlock MLS’ expansion of the Central Texas Housing Report to include single-family residential leasing activity gives a more transparent and robust picture of the region’s real estate market.

“With the increased leasing activity we’re seeing alongside home sales, it’s clear that both buyers and renters are actively engaging with Central Texas’ housing market. Unlock MLS is proud to start delivering leasing data to provide a deeper look at market trends, empowering professional agents with the insights they need to make informed decisions on behalf of their clients. Whether someone is looking to purchase, sell or rent a home, working with an Unlock MLS agent who has access to the most transparent data ensures they can confidently navigate their next move in our housing market.”

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA

January 2025 - For Sale

• 1,761 – Residential homes sold, 1.1% more than January 2024.
• $409,765 – Median price for residential homes, 4.7% less than January 2024.
• 3,690 – New home listings on the market, 20.6% more than January 2024.
• 9,616 – Active home listings on the market, 16.5% more than January 2024.
• 2,202 – Pending sales, 7.5% less than January 2024.
• 5.6 – Months of inventory, 0.9 months more than January 2024.
• $942,713,638 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 0.2% less than January 2024.
• 92.3% – Average close to list price, compared to 91.9% in January 2024.

January 2025 - For Lease

• 1,871 – Closed leases, 11.7% more than January 2024.
• $2,195 – Median rent price, 1.3% less than January 2024.
• 2,425 – New lease listings on the market, 10.7% more than January 2024.
• 4,246 – Active lease listings on the market, 8.0% more than January 2024.
• 2,179 – Pending sales, 13.9% more than January 2024.
• 2.6 – Months of inventory, 0.1 months less than January 2024.
• $3,513,079 – Total dollar volume of leases, 4.8% more than January 2024.
• 95.4% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.1% in January 2024.

Travis County

January 2025 - For Sale

• 744 – Residential homes sold, 0.8% less than January 2024.
• $475,000 – Median price for residential homes, flat compared to January 2024.
• 1,779 – New home listings on the market, 27.3% more than January 2024.
• 4,468 – Active home listings on the market, 13.0% more than January 2024.
• 963 – Pending sales, 4.0% less than January 2024.
• 6.2 – Months of inventory, 0.9 months more than January 2024.
• $492,165,162 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 1.9% more than January 2024.
• 91.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 90.9% in January 2024.

January 2025 - For Lease

• 1,062 – Closed leases, 13.3% more than January 2024.
• $2,300 – Median price for rent, 4.0% less than January 2024.
• 1,315 – New lease listings on the market, 5.1% more than January 2024.
• 2,418 – Active lease listings on the market, 1.2% less than January 2024.
• 1,229 – Pending sales, 16.9% more than January 2024.
• 2.6 – Months of inventory, 0.5 months less than January 2024.
• $2,362,318 – Total dollar volume of leases, 10.2% more than January 2024.
• 95.3% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.6% in January 2024.

Williamson County

January 2025 - For Sale

• 623 – Residential homes sold, 0.8% less than January 2024.
• $400,000 – Median price for residential homes, 7.0% less than January 2024.
• 1,114 – New home listings on the market, 12.4% more than January 2024.
• 2,853 – Active home listings on the market, 18.8% more than January 2024.
• 762 – Pending sales, 11.6% less than January 2024.
• 4.7 – Months of inventory, 0.4 months more than January 2024.
• $287,030,206 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 3.6% less than January 2024.
• 92.9% – Average close to list price, flat compared to January 2024.

January 2025 - For Lease

• 582 – Closed leases, 6.1% more than January 2024.
• $2,100 – Median rent price, 4.3% less than January 2024.
• 803 – New lease listings on the market, 15.9% more than January 2024.
• 1,272 – Active lease listings on the market, 20.1% more than January 2024.
• 697 – Pending sales, 9.4% more than January 2024.
• 2.4 – Months of inventory, flat compared to January 2024.
• $891,675 – Total dollar volume of leases, 4.4% less than January 2024.
• 95.7% – Average close to list price, flat compared to January 2024.

Hays County

January 2025 - For Sale

• 275 – Residential homes sold, 5.2% more than January 2024.
• $358,500 – Median price for residential homes, 2.1% less than January 2024.
• 558 – New home listings on the market, 24.0% more than January 2024.
• 1,546 – Active home listings on the market, 16.8% more than January 2024.
• 328 – Pending sales, 10.9% less than January 2024.
• 5.8 – Months of inventory, 0.7 months more than January 2024.
• $117,801,407 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 2.9% less than January 2024.
• 91.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.7% in January 2024.

January 2025 - For Lease

• 180 – Closed leases, 12.9% more than January 2024.
• $1,995 – Median rent price, 5.0% less than January 2024.
• 247 – New lease listings on the market, 24.1% more than January 2024.
• 454 – Active lease listings on the market, 38.0% more than January 2024.
• 192 – Pending sales, 9.1% more than January 2024.
• 3.1 – Months of inventory, 1.0 months more than January 2024.
• $224,161 – Total dollar volume of leases, 6.6% less than January 2024.
• 94.7% – Average close to list price, compared to 95.5% in January 2024.

Bastrop County

January 2025 - For Sale

• 88 – Residential homes sold, 3.7% more than January 2024.
• $349,950 – Median price for residential homes, 4.4% less than January 2024.
• 180 – New home listings on the market, 0.6% less than January 2024.
• 601 – Active home listings on the market, 30.9% more than January 2024.
• 119 – Pending sales, 6.3% more than January 2024.
• 7.0 – Months of inventory, 1.6 months more than January 2024.
• $36,043,872 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 5.3% more than January 2024.
• 92.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 90.4% in January 2024.

January 2025 - For Lease

• 30 – Closed leases, 40.9% more than January 2024.
• $1,950 – Median price for rent, 2.9% more than January 2024.
• 40 – New lease listings on the market, 2.4% less than January 2024.
• 69 – Active lease listings on the market, 10.4% less than January 2024.
• 40 – Pending sales, 17.6% more than January 2024.
• 2.7 – Months of inventory, 1.5 months less than January 2024.
• $26,061– Total dollar volume of leases, 10.1% more than January 2024.
• 95.4% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.4% in January 2024.

Caldwell County

January 2025 - For Sale

• 31 – Residential homes sold, 80.9% more than January 2024.
• $287,995 – Median price for residential homes, 4.9% less than January 2024.
• 59 – New home listings on the market, 43.9% more than January 2024.
• 147 – Active home listings on the market, 24.6% more than January 2024.
• 30 – Pending sales, 14.3% less than January 2024.
• 4.9 – Months of inventory, 2.0 months less than January 2024.
• $9,672,992 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 23.3% more than January 2024.
• 92.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.2% in January 2024.

January 2025 - For Lease

• 17 – Closed leases, 116.8% more than January 2024.
• $1,895 – Median rent price, 8.7% less than January 2024.
• 20 – New lease listings on the market, 233.3% more than January 2024.
• 33 – Active lease listings on the market, 65.0% more than January 2024.
• 21 – Pending sales, 40.0% more than January 2024.
• 2.8 – Months of inventory, 0.2 months less than January 2024.
• $8,864 – Total dollar volume of leases, 32.1% less than January 2024.
• 97.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 96.0% in January 2024.

This article originally appeared on ABoR.com. For more information or to download the January 2025 Central Texas Housing Market Report, visit UnlockMLS.com/Stats.