South Congress Austin TX Home Prices & Data 2026
South Congress is a neighborhood in Austin, Travis County, Texas (commonly known as SoCo), stretching along South Congress Avenue from Lady Bird Lake southward to Ben White Boulevard. According to the Austin Board of Realtors, this corridor has become one of Austin's most desirable residential addresses, blending walkable vintage retail, acclaimed food trailers, live music venues, and renovated bungalows with modern infill construction. The neighborhood's median home price of approximately $785,000 positions it among Austin's premium markets, commanding significant attention from both local move-up buyers and out-of-state relocators.
Key Takeaways
Median home price in South Congress is approximately $785,000 according to the Austin Board of Realtors, roughly 48% above the Austin metro median of $530,000
Average listing-side commission of $19,625 makes SoCo one of the highest GCI-per-transaction neighborhoods in Austin for farming agents
Days on market average 28 for properly priced listings according to Zillow, reflecting strong demand despite elevated price points
The walkability score of 82 according to Walk Score positions SoCo as one of Austin's most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, a key differentiator for buyer marketing
Agents using US Tech Automations can automate SoCo listing alerts and commission tracking to maximize farming efficiency in this high-value corridor
Home Price Analysis
Current Price Landscape
What are home prices in South Congress Austin TX in 2026?
According to the Austin Board of Realtors and Zillow's Home Value Index, the South Congress corridor has experienced steady price appreciation driven by limited inventory, high walkability demand, and the neighborhood's cultural cachet. SoCo prices reflect a premium market where buyers pay for lifestyle access as much as square footage.
| Price Metric | South Congress | Austin Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $785,000 | $530,000 | +48% |
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $485 | $295 | +64% |
| Average Sale Price | $865,000 | $585,000 | +48% |
| Median List Price | $815,000 | $549,000 | +48% |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.5% | 96.8% | +0.7% |
According to Redfin data, the sale-to-list ratio of 97.5% indicates that SoCo sellers are achieving near-asking-price results, a sign of healthy demand. Properties priced under $700,000 often receive multiple offers within the first two weeks, according to local listing agents.
South Congress properties priced under $700,000 represent the "sweet spot" for first-time SoCo buyers. According to Austin Board of Realtors data, these listings sell 35% faster than properties above the neighborhood median.
Price Trends Over Time
| Year | Median Sale Price | YoY Change | Avg Days on Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $825,000 | +18% | 22 |
| 2023 | $760,000 | -7.9% | 42 |
| 2024 | $748,000 | -1.6% | 36 |
| 2025 | $772,000 | +3.2% | 30 |
| 2026 (YTD) | $785,000 | +1.7% | 28 |
According to the Austin Board of Realtors, South Congress prices peaked in 2022 during the pandemic-era surge, corrected through 2023-2024, and have resumed modest appreciation. The current $785,000 median remains below the 2022 peak, suggesting room for continued recovery as Austin's broader market stabilizes.
How have South Congress home prices changed since the 2022 peak?
The SoCo market experienced a 9.3% correction from its 2022 peak of $825,000 to the 2024 trough of $748,000, according to Austin Board of Realtors transaction records. Since then, prices have rebounded approximately 5%, reflecting a market that has largely absorbed the post-pandemic adjustment. According to Zillow's forecast models, SoCo is projected to appreciate 3-5% annually through 2028, slightly above the Austin metro average of 2-4%.
Price Distribution by Property Type
| Property Type | Median Price | Share of Sales | Avg Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renovated Bungalow | $695,000 | 28% | 50+ years |
| Modern Infill | $925,000 | 22% | 0-5 years |
| Condo/Townhome | $485,000 | 30% | 5-15 years |
| Duplex/Multi-Family | $850,000 | 8% | 30+ years |
| Teardown/Lot Value | $550,000 | 12% | N/A |
According to Realtor.com data, the SoCo market is notably diverse in property types. Renovated bungalows remain the neighborhood's signature housing stock, but modern infill construction at $925,000+ has become an increasingly significant segment. Condos and townhomes at $485,000 provide the primary entry point for buyers seeking the SoCo lifestyle at a lower price point.
Teardown lots in South Congress are selling at $550,000 for land value alone, according to Travis County Appraisal District records. This floor price reflects the premium buyers place on SoCo's location regardless of existing structure condition.
Commission & Agent Economics
Commission Structure
How much do South Congress Austin agents earn per transaction?
According to the Austin Board of Realtors, commission rates in the South Congress corridor have remained relatively stable despite the NAR settlement adjustments that took effect in 2024. The high price points in SoCo translate to substantial per-transaction GCI for farming agents.
| Commission Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $785,000 |
| Typical Total Commission | 5.0% |
| Listing Side (2.5%) | $19,625 |
| Buyer Side (2.5%) | $19,625 |
| Annual Transactions (Top Agents) | 12-18 |
| Potential Annual GCI | $235,500 - $353,250 |
According to industry benchmarks, top-producing agents in South Congress close 12-18 transactions annually, generating potential GCI of $235,500 to $353,250 on the listing side alone. This per-transaction economics makes SoCo one of the most lucrative farming territories in the Austin metro.
Commission Comparison Across Austin Neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Listing Commission (2.5%) | Volume Needed for $200K GCI |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Congress | $785,000 | $19,625 | 10-11 transactions |
| East Austin | $545,000 | $13,625 | 15 transactions |
| Zilker | $1,150,000 | $28,750 | 7 transactions |
| Mueller | $520,000 | $13,000 | 16 transactions |
| Clarksville | $1,350,000 | $33,750 | 6 transactions |
According to this comparison, South Congress occupies a productive middle ground: higher per-transaction GCI than East Austin or Mueller, with more transaction volume opportunities than ultra-premium Clarksville or Zilker where inventory is extremely limited.
The US Tech Automations platform enables agents to track commission economics across their farming territories in real-time, automatically calculating GCI projections based on current pending and closed transactions. This automated tracking eliminates the spreadsheet overhead that consumes hours of agent time each month.
Market Activity & Transaction Volume
Sales Velocity
| Activity Metric | 2025 | 2026 (YTD) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed Transactions | 285 | 78 (Q1) | On pace for 310 |
| New Listings | 320 | 85 | Slight increase |
| Pending Sales | 42 | 48 | Strong demand |
| Expired/Withdrawn | 35 | 8 | Declining |
| Months of Supply | 2.4 | 2.2 | Tightening |
According to the Austin Board of Realtors, South Congress transaction volume is on pace to exceed 2025 levels, with Q1 2026 closings tracking approximately 9% above the same period last year. The declining expired/withdrawn rate suggests improving pricing accuracy among listing agents, according to MLS data.
What is the absorption rate in South Congress Austin?
The current absorption rate of 2.2 months of supply places South Congress firmly in seller's market territory, according to the Austin Board of Realtors. This tight supply dynamic benefits listing agents who can demonstrate neighborhood expertise and attract sellers in a competitive listing environment.
Buyer Profile Analysis
| Buyer Segment | Share | Median Purchase Price | Financing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Move-Up | 35% | $820,000 | Conventional |
| Out-of-State Relocator | 28% | $750,000 | Conventional/Cash |
| Investor (Long-term) | 18% | $485,000 (condos) | Cash/Conventional |
| First-Time SoCo Buyer | 12% | $510,000 | Conventional/FHA |
| Downsizer | 7% | $520,000 | Cash |
According to NAR's Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, out-of-state relocators represent a significant 28% of SoCo buyers. Many of these buyers are drawn by Austin's tech economy and SoCo's nationally recognized cultural identity, according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Agents farming South Congress must build marketing funnels that capture both local and out-of-market buyer attention.
US Tech Automations allows agents to create geo-targeted digital ad campaigns that reach out-of-state prospects searching for South Congress properties, automatically routing leads into SoCo-specific drip sequences that highlight walkability, dining, and lifestyle amenities.
Walkability & Lifestyle Metrics
Why is South Congress walkability important for home values?
| Walkability Metric | Score/Value |
|---|---|
| Walk Score | 82 (Very Walkable) |
| Bike Score | 75 (Very Bikeable) |
| Transit Score | 48 (Some Transit) |
| Restaurants within 0.5 miles | 85+ |
| Retail Shops within 0.5 miles | 60+ |
| Live Music Venues | 12+ |
According to Walk Score, South Congress earns an 82 (Very Walkable), placing it among Austin's top five most walkable neighborhoods. Research published by the Brookings Institution indicates that each Walk Score point adds approximately $700-$3,000 to median home values in urban markets, suggesting SoCo's walkability contributes $57,000-$246,000 to the neighborhood price premium.
According to Redfin research, homes in walkable neighborhoods sell 8-12 days faster and command 12-18% price premiums over comparable properties in car-dependent areas. South Congress exemplifies this dynamic.
Tax & Holding Costs
According to the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector, South Congress properties carry the following tax burden:
| Tax Component | Rate (per $100 assessed) |
|---|---|
| Travis County | $0.3143 |
| City of Austin | $0.4403 |
| Austin ISD | $0.9967 |
| Travis County Healthcare District | $0.1029 |
| Austin Community College | $0.0849 |
| Total Effective Rate | $1.9391 |
According to the Travis County Appraisal District, the total effective tax rate of approximately $1.94 per $100 means a $785,000 home carries an annual property tax burden of roughly $15,222. The homestead exemption can reduce this by approximately $2,500-$3,500 annually for owner-occupants, according to Texas Comptroller guidelines.
Cost of Ownership Comparison
| Monthly Cost Component | South Congress ($785K) | East Austin ($545K) | Mueller ($520K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage (20% down, 6.5%) | $3,970 | $2,755 | $2,629 |
| Property Tax | $1,269 | $881 | $841 |
| Insurance | $325 | $260 | $250 |
| HOA (if applicable) | $0-$350 | $0-$200 | $150-$300 |
| Total Monthly | $5,564-$5,914 | $3,896-$4,096 | $3,870-$4,020 |
How to Farm South Congress Austin for Maximum Commission ROI
Map your SoCo farm boundaries precisely. Define a 300-500 property farm within the South Congress corridor using Travis County Appraisal District parcel data. Focus on the blocks between Oltorf Street and Annie Street where turnover rates are highest, according to MLS transaction history.
Build your property database with owner intelligence. Import owner names, purchase dates, estimated equity positions, and mailing addresses into your CRM. According to NAR research, homeowners with 5+ years of tenure and 40%+ equity are 3x more likely to list within 18 months.
Create SoCo-specific content that demonstrates expertise. Develop monthly market updates featuring actual SoCo transaction data, price-per-square-foot trends, and days-on-market comparisons. According to content marketing research, neighborhood-specific data outperforms generic market updates by 5x in engagement.
Design a multi-channel touchpoint calendar. Plan 24-36 touches per year across direct mail, email, social media, and door-knocking. The US Tech Automations platform automates the coordination of these channels, ensuring consistent timing without manual scheduling.
Launch targeted seller prospecting campaigns. Identify high-equity homeowners with 7+ years of tenure and trigger automated valuation sequences. According to Zillow research, personalized home value estimates generate 40% higher response rates than generic farming mailers.
Build out-of-state buyer funnels. Create landing pages and digital ad campaigns targeting California, New York, and Pacific Northwest relocators searching for Austin real estate. According to Austin Chamber of Commerce data, these three regions account for 45% of out-of-state Austin relocations.
Leverage just-sold marketing aggressively. After each SoCo closing, deploy a five-touch just-sold campaign within a 0.25-mile radius. According to the Real Estate Trainer, just-sold marketing generates 3-5 listing leads per deployment in high-value neighborhoods.
Track commission ROI per marketing channel. Use US Tech Automations analytics to attribute each listing appointment and closed transaction back to the originating marketing channel. According to farming ROI research, agents who track channel-level attribution optimize their spend 2x faster than those using aggregate metrics.
Host neighborhood events. Partner with SoCo businesses to co-host community events that position you as the neighborhood expert. According to NAR, agents who host 4+ community events per year achieve 2x higher brand recognition within their farm.
Scale your SoCo authority into adjacent corridors. Once you've achieved market share dominance in South Congress (3+ closings per quarter), expand into adjacent Travis Heights or Bouldin Creek using the same data-driven farming framework.
Competitor Platform Comparison
| Feature | US Tech Automations | kvCORE | BoomTown | Ylopo | Follow Up Boss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood-Level Price Tracking | Automated per-farm | Manual CMA | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Commission ROI Attribution | AI-powered per channel | Basic reporting | Ad-focused | Ad-focused | Activity logs |
| Multi-Channel Campaign Coordination | Mail + digital + email integrated | Email + text | Digital + email | Digital + email | Email + text |
| Out-of-State Buyer Funnels | Built-in geo-targeting | Manual setup | Available ($$) | Available | Not available |
| Automated Valuation Sequences | Triggered by tenure/equity | Manual CMA | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Monthly Cost | Competitive | $499+ | $1,000+ | $395+ | $69+ (no farming) |
US Tech Automations excels in the South Congress market because it combines farming-specific automation with the high-value commission tracking that premium neighborhood agents need. While BoomTown and Ylopo offer strong digital advertising capabilities, neither provides the integrated mail-digital-email coordination that consistent SoCo farming requires.
Rental & Investment Analysis
| Rental Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Monthly Rent (1BR Condo) | $1,850 |
| Median Monthly Rent (2BR Condo) | $2,450 |
| Median Monthly Rent (3BR House) | $3,200 |
| Short-Term Rental Revenue (est.) | $4,500-$6,000/month |
| Cap Rate (Long-term) | 3.8% |
| Cap Rate (Short-term) | 6.2% |
According to Zillow rental data and AirDNA short-term rental analytics, South Congress investment properties generate significantly higher returns through short-term rental platforms than traditional long-term leases. The neighborhood's tourism draw, anchored by restaurants like Perla's and venues like the Continental Club, creates consistent short-term rental demand.
According to AirDNA, South Congress short-term rentals average 72% occupancy with a nightly rate of $225-$350, generating estimated monthly revenues of $4,500-$6,000. However, agents should note that Austin's short-term rental regulations restrict Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) STR permits, limiting new investor entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in South Congress Austin in 2026?
According to the Austin Board of Realtors, the median sale price in the South Congress corridor is approximately $785,000 as of early 2026, representing a 1.7% increase from 2025. This positions SoCo roughly 48% above the Austin metro median of $530,000, reflecting the premium buyers place on walkability, cultural amenities, and proximity to downtown.
How much commission do South Congress agents earn?
At the median sale price of $785,000 and a typical 5.0% total commission rate, listing agents earn approximately $19,625 per transaction according to Austin Board of Realtors data. Top-producing SoCo agents close 12-18 transactions annually, generating potential GCI of $235,500-$353,250.
What types of homes are available in South Congress?
The SoCo housing stock includes renovated 1930s-1960s bungalows (median $695,000), modern infill construction ($925,000+), condos and townhomes ($485,000), duplexes ($850,000), and teardown lots valued at $550,000+ for land alone, according to Travis County Appraisal District records and MLS data.
How long do homes take to sell in South Congress?
According to the Austin Board of Realtors, the average days on market for South Congress properties is 28 days in 2026, down from 42 days during the 2023 market correction. Properties priced under $700,000 sell approximately 35% faster than the neighborhood median, according to MLS data analysis.
What makes South Congress different from other Austin neighborhoods?
South Congress's distinctive combination of walkable retail (Walk Score 82), live music venues, food trailer culture, and proximity to Lady Bird Lake creates a lifestyle proposition that commands premium pricing according to Austin Board of Realtors market reports. The neighborhood's cultural identity is nationally recognized, attracting out-of-state buyers who specifically seek the SoCo experience.
Are short-term rentals profitable in South Congress?
According to AirDNA analytics, SoCo short-term rentals generate $4,500-$6,000 monthly revenue at 72% average occupancy. However, Austin's Type 2 STR permit restrictions limit new non-owner-occupied rental entries. Owner-occupied Type 1 permits remain available, making live-in STR strategies more feasible for investors.
What school district serves South Congress Austin?
South Congress falls within Austin Independent School District boundaries, according to AISD enrollment maps. Travis Heights Elementary, Fulmore Middle School, and Travis High School serve the area. AISD's open enrollment policy allows families to apply for magnet programs across the district, adding flexibility for SoCo families.
How does South Congress compare to East Austin for agents?
South Congress offers higher per-transaction GCI ($19,625 vs $13,625 at median prices) but lower transaction volume potential. According to Austin Board of Realtors data, SoCo sees approximately 285 annual transactions compared to East Austin's 450+. Agents must choose between premium commissions with fewer deals or higher volume at lower price points.
What are property taxes on a South Congress home?
According to the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector, the total effective property tax rate for South Congress properties is approximately $1.94 per $100 of assessed value. On the median-priced $785,000 home, this produces an annual property tax bill of roughly $15,222 before homestead exemptions.
Conclusion: Maximize Your SoCo Commission with Automated Farming
South Congress represents one of Austin's most compelling farming opportunities for agents who can match the neighborhood's premium expectations with data-driven marketing execution. The combination of high per-transaction commissions, strong buyer demand from both local and out-of-state sources, and a tightening supply environment creates favorable conditions for agents who invest in consistent, automated farming campaigns.
Transform your South Congress farming strategy with the data intelligence and multi-channel automation that US Tech Automations delivers. From commission tracking to out-of-state buyer funnels, the platform provides everything SoCo agents need to capture their share of this premium market.
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About the Author
Helping real estate agents leverage automation for geographic farming success.
