Central Texas Housing Market Maintains Momentum Heading into Summer

The Central Texas housing market continued to show resilience in May 2026, with buyer activity remaining strong as the region moved through the peak spring selling season. Recent data from Unlock MLS indicates that the demand seen earlier in the year has carried forward, even after the temporary decline in mortgage rates that initially encouraged more buyers to return to the market.

One of the most significant indicators of market strength was the increase in pending sales. During May, pending transactions reached 3,310, representing a 14.3% increase compared to the same period last year. This figure remained close to April’s elevated level, suggesting that buyer interest has remained steady despite ongoing affordability concerns and broader economic uncertainty.

Market analysts note that consumers appear to be adapting to current conditions rather than waiting for the “perfect” time to buy. Many buyers are moving forward based on personal housing needs and long-term goals instead of trying to predict future market shifts. At the same time, key indicators such as home prices, time on market, and sale-to-list price ratios point to a market that is becoming more balanced and predictable for both buyers and sellers.

Industry leaders also highlight the advantages of today’s environment. With less pressure than in previous years, buyers and sellers have more time to evaluate options, negotiate effectively, and make informed decisions. This shift has created opportunities for consumers to approach real estate transactions more strategically and with greater confidence.

Across the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan area, residential home sales totaled 2,953 in May, a slight decrease of 3.4% compared to May 2025. The median home price settled at $440,000, down 0.9% year over year. Meanwhile, the number of new listings entering the market fell to 4,786, while active listings stood at 12,508, both showing declines from the previous year. Despite lower inventory levels, the substantial increase in pending sales demonstrates that buyer demand remains healthy throughout the region.

Overall, the May housing data suggests that the Central Texas market is experiencing a period of stability. While challenges such as affordability and economic uncertainty persist, consistent buyer engagement and balanced market conditions indicate a housing environment that continues to support both buyers and sellers as the summer season begins.

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA

May 2026 - For Sale

• 2,953 – Residential homes sold, 3.4% less than May 2025.
  
  
• $440,000 – Median price for residential homes, 0.9% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 4,786 – New home listings on the market, 16.7% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 12,508 – Active home listings on the market, 16.6% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 3,310 – Pending sales, 14.3% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 4.7 – Months of inventory, 0.3 less than May 2025.
  
  
• $1,744,835,169 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 2.2% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 94.5% – Average close to list price, flat compared to May 2025.
  
  

May 2026 - For Lease

• 2,893 – Closed leases, 1.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• $2,150 – Median price for rent, 2.1% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 3,953 – New lease listings on the market, 12.0% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 3,843 – Active lease listings on the market, 21.3% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 3,307 – Pending sales, 4.3% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 1.8 – Months of inventory, 0.2 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $6,872,951 – Total dollar volume of leases, 4.1% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 97.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.5% in May 2025.
  
  

City of Austin

May 2026 - For Sale

• 1,076 – Residential homes sold, 4.6% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $595,000 – Median price for residential homes, 0.5% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,757 – New home listings on the market, 19.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 4,374 – Active home listings on the market, 24.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,157 – Pending sales, 15.9% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 4.4 – Months of inventory, 1.2 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $843,057,619 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 3.4% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 95.2% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.6% in May 2025.
  
  

May 2026 - For Lease

• 1,516 – Closed leases, 0.8% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $2,250 – Median price for rent, 2.2% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 2,044 – New lease listings on the market, 11.2 less than May 2025.
  
  
• 2,019– Active lease listings on the market, 17.9% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,738 – Pending sales, 5.7% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 2.0 – Months of inventory, 0.1 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $3,855,926 – Total dollar volume of leases, 2.1% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 97.5% – Average close to list price, compared to 96.9% in May 2025.
  
  

Travis County

May 2026 - For Sale

• 1,353 – Residential homes sold, 1.6% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $535,000 – Median price for residential homes, 3.9% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 2,308 – New home listings on the market, 17.3% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 6,096 – Active home listings on the market, 19.8% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,524 – Pending sales, 20.3% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 4.8 – Months of inventory, 0.9 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $988,446,319 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 2.9% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 94.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.7% in May 2025.
  
  

May 2026 - For Lease

• 1,700 – Closed leases, 1.0% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $2,200 – Median price for rent, 4.1% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 2,299 – New lease listings on the market, 10.9% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 2,386 – Active lease listings on the market, 17.2% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,908 – Pending sales, 2.3% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 2.0 – Months of inventory, 0.2 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $4,278,581 – Total dollar volume of leases, 3.0% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 97.6% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.0% in May 2025.
  
  

Williamson County

May 2026 - For Sale

• 1,063 – Residential homes sold, 1.9% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $406,000 – Median price for residential homes, 4.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,552 – New home listings on the market, 15.3% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 3,722 – Active home listings on the market, 16.9% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,124 – Pending sales, 17.8% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 4.2 – Months of inventory, 0.1 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $498,418,101 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 1.0% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 94.3% – Average close to list price, compared to 94.7% in May 2025.
  
  

May 2026 - For Lease

• 843 – Closed leases, 11.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• $2,175 – Median price for rent, 0.7% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,214 – New lease listings on the market, 16.2% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 969 – Active lease listings on the market, 34.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,012 – Pending sales, 1.4% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 1.3 – Months of inventory, 0.4 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $1,869,940 – Total dollar volume of leases, 11.6% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 98.8% – Average close to list price, compared to 98.3% in May 2025.
  
  

Hays County

May 2026 - For Sale

• 375 – Residential homes sold, 28.7% less than May 2025.
  
  
• $390,000 – Median price for residential homes, 1.6% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 628 – New home listings on the market, 19.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 1,751 – Active home listings on the market, 10.8% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 462 – Pending sales, 7.4% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 5.1 – Months of inventory, 1.3 months more than May 2025.
  
  
• $198,345,451 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 24.7% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 94.3% – Average close to list price, compared to 93.9% to May 2025.
  
  

May 2026 - For Lease

• 265 – Closed leases, 14.2% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $1,950 – Median price for rent, 2.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 321 – New lease listings on the market, 12.8% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 353 – Active lease listings on the market, 13.1% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 296 – Pending sales, 25.4% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 1.8 – Months of inventory, 1.8 months more than May 2025.
  
  
• $567,006 – Total dollar volume of leases, 12.1% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 97.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.8% in May 2025.
  
  

Bastrop County

May 2026 - For Sale

• 117 – Residential homes sold, 9.3% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $350,000 – Median price for residential homes, flat compared to May 2025.
  
  
• 222 – New home listings on the market, 20.7% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 719 – Active home listings on the market, 5.1% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 150 – Pending sales, 7.9% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 6.4 – Months of inventory, 1.3 months less than May 2025.
  
  
• $46,330,088 – Total dollar volume of homes sold, 15.0% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 93.2% – Average close to list price, compared to 93.7% in May 2025.
  
  

May 2026 - For Lease

• 67 – Closed leases, 34.0% more than May 2025.
  
  
• $1,890 – Median price for rent, 4.9% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 89 – New lease listings on the market, 23.6% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 96 – Active lease listings on the market, 9.1% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 68 – Pending sales, 30.8% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 2.7 – Months of inventory, 0.1 months more than May 2025.
  
  
• $130,544 – Total dollar volume of leases, 24.7% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 96.9% – Average close to list price, compared to 97.8% in May 2025.
  
  

Caldwell County

May 2026 - For Sale

• 45 – Residential homes sold, 6.3% less than May 2025.
  
  
• $250,000 – Median price for residential homes, 20.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 76 – New home listings on the market, 16.9% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 220 – Active home listings on the market, 15.8% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 50 – Pending sales, 31.6% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 4.9 – Months of inventory, 0.3 months more than May 2025.
  
  
• $13,295,210– Total dollar volume of homes sold, 23.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 92.3% – Average close to list price, compared to 92.7% in May 2025.
  
  

May 2026 - For Lease

• 18 – Closed leases, 5.3% less than May 2025.
  
  
• $1,575 – Median price for rent, 7.4% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 30 – New lease listings on the market, 42.9% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 39 – Active lease listings on the market, 34.5% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 23 – Pending sales, 15.0% more than May 2025.
  
  
• 2.6 – Months of inventory, 2.6 months more than May 2025.
  
  
• $26,880 – Total dollar volume of leases, 12.5% less than May 2025.
  
  
• 96.3% – Average close to list price, compared to 96.9% in May 2025.