Zilker TX Real Estate Market Data 2026
Zilker is a neighborhood in Austin, Travis County, Texas, sitting immediately south of Lady Bird Lake and just southwest of downtown Austin, bounded roughly by Lamar Boulevard on the east, MoPac (Loop 1) on the west, Barton Skyway and the Barton Hills boundary on the south, and the lake on the north. According to the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data, Zilker (centered on the 78704 ZIP code) supports approximately 6,800 residents within a tightly compact urban-core footprint. According to the Austin Board of REALTORS (ABoR), Zilker's median home price reached $900,000 at the start of 2026 against a Travis County median of $475,000, anchoring a real estate market data story shaped by walk-to-park premiums, Barton Springs proximity, and a transaction velocity that runs faster than nearly any comparable inner-loop Austin neighborhood.
Key Findings
Zilker's median home price of $900,000 sits 89% above the Travis County median, according to ABoR market reporting.
Approximately 175 single-family closings per year make Zilker a moderate-volume but highly desirable Austin urban-core farm, according to ABoR transaction data.
Average days on market is 32, according to ABoR data, faster than the Austin metro average of 58 days.
Median price per square foot reached $585, according to Zillow Research, with Barton Hills-adjacent homes routinely clearing $700/SF.
Owner-occupancy rate is 56%, according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data, in line with the Travis County average but reflective of significant short-term rental and rental-investor activity.
Market Fundamentals
According to ABoR and Zillow Research, Zilker's market fundamentals describe one of the most velocity-driven inner-loop Austin neighborhoods.
| Market Metric | Zilker | Austin (city) | Travis County | Austin Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $900,000 | $625,000 | $475,000 | $455,000 |
| Avg Sale Price | $1,055,000 | $785,000 | $552,000 | $528,000 |
| Price per Sq Ft | $585 | $345 | $268 | $251 |
| Avg Days on Market | 32 | 52 | 56 | 58 |
| Months of Supply | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.7 |
| Annual Closings (SFH) | 175 | 9,800 | 12,400 | 32,200 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.6% | 97.2% | 97.4% | 97.5% |
According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, the Austin metro carried 4.7 months of supply at the start of 2026; Zilker sat below that at 3.6 months, the tightest of any Austin urban-core neighborhood at the $900K median band. According to ABoR, Zilker's 97.6% sale-to-list ratio is the highest among the comparable south-of-the-river inner-loop neighborhoods.
Zilker's combination of a 32-day DOM, a 3.6-month supply, and a 97.6% sale-to-list ratio describes one of the few Austin urban-core neighborhoods where well-priced listings still transact in less than 30 days at near asking. According to NAR, this velocity profile is most often associated with neighborhoods that combine high walk score, premium open space (Zilker Park, Barton Springs), and a moderately constrained housing stock — all of which describe Zilker.
Sub-Market Analysis
According to ABoR sub-market data and the Travis Central Appraisal District, Zilker breaks into recognizable sub-areas each with distinct price drivers. Street-level transaction counts are not always publishable with full granularity, so the table below uses qualitative volume bands.
| Sub-Area | Approx Median Price | Annual Volume Band | Avg DOM | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zilker Park edge | $1,150,000 | Moderate | 28 | Park frontage premium |
| Barton Hills border | $1,050,000 | Moderate | 30 | Walk-to-park, larger lots |
| Lamar / South 1st corridor | $785,000 | Moderate-high | 26 | Walk-to-bars, condo mix |
| Barton Skyway south edge | $865,000 | Low-moderate | 38 | Quieter blocks, mid-tier |
| MoPac-adjacent | $735,000 | Low | 42 | Highway proximity discount |
According to ABoR, the Lamar / South 1st corridor produces the highest annual volume inside Zilker, while Zilker Park edge produces the highest single-deal commissions. Farming agents who segment Zilker by sub-area — rather than treating it as one homogenous market — close more deals because their messaging fits the actual buyer pool for each sub-area.
Transaction Volume & Growth Trends
According to ABoR transaction summaries and NAR, Zilker's transaction volume reflects both stable inner-loop demand and the area's outsized appeal to dual-income professional buyers.
| Year | SFH Closings | Median Price | Avg DOM | Total Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 218 | $735,000 | 18 | $176M |
| 2022 | 165 | $885,000 | 24 | $156M |
| 2023 | 152 | $850,000 | 39 | $143M |
| 2024 | 168 | $875,000 | 35 | $158M |
| 2025 | 175 | $900,000 | 32 | $185M |
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Austin metro saw the sharpest 2022–2023 home-price correction of any major U.S. metro at roughly 10%; Zilker's correction was milder at approximately 4%, reflecting the structural support from walk-score-driven buyer demand. According to ABoR, the neighborhood's 2025 median exceeds its 2022 cycle peak, marking one of the cleanest "recovered" inner-loop Austin neighborhoods.
Buyer & Seller Profile
According to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data and the Travis Central Appraisal District, Zilker's buyers and sellers differ meaningfully from broader Austin patterns.
| Buyer/Seller Profile | Zilker | Austin Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Median Buyer Household Income | $215,000 | $148,000 |
| Cash Purchase Share | 18% | 14% |
| Out-of-State Buyer Share | 28% | 18% |
| First-Time Buyer Share | 14% | 27% |
| Trade-Up From Within Austin | 41% | 22% |
| Average Buyer Age (years) | 38 | 38 |
According to NAR's Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, Zilker's 28% out-of-state buyer share is among the highest in the Austin metro, reflecting its position as a magnet for relocating tech-industry and creative-industry professionals. The 14% first-time buyer share is well below the metro average of 27%, reflecting the area's $900K median price point.
Inventory & Listing Channel Mix
According to ABoR's listing channel breakdown, Zilker's listing distribution differs from luxury submarkets but resembles other walk-to-park urban-core Austin neighborhoods.
| Listing Channel | Zilker | Austin Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Top 5 Brokerages (combined share) | 52% | 49% |
| Boutique/Independent Brokerages | 22% | 12% |
| Out-of-Area Listing Agents | 8% | 14% |
| iBuyer / Cash-Buyer Programs | 4% | 5% |
| FSBO (For Sale By Owner) | 5% | 4% |
| New Construction Direct | 9% | 16% |
According to NAR transaction survey data, Zilker's 22% boutique brokerage share is meaningfully higher than the Austin metro average of 12%, reflecting the area's appeal to design-and-architecture-focused listing teams. Farming agents at boutique brokerages compete on storytelling, photography, and authentic neighborhood expertise rather than brand reach.
Zilker's relatively high new-construction share (9%) reflects the wave of teardown-and-rebuild activity along the Lamar / South 1st corridor through the mid-2020s. According to the City of Austin Development Services Department, the neighborhood averaged 38–46 new construction permits annually from 2021 to 2025. This permit signal is one of the cleanest leading indicators of upcoming inventory and pricing pressure in the corridor.
Transaction & Commission Data
According to ABoR transaction summaries and NAR, Zilker's commission economics make it one of the more attractive moderate-volume inner-loop farming territories in central Texas.
| Year | SFH Closings | Total Volume | Total Commission Pool (3% × 2 sides) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 218 | $176M | $10.6M |
| 2022 | 165 | $156M | $9.4M |
| 2023 | 152 | $143M | $8.6M |
| 2024 | 168 | $158M | $9.5M |
| 2025 | 175 | $185M | $11.1M |
According to NAR, the 2025 Zilker commission pool of approximately $11.1 million is concentrated across roughly 175 closings, producing a per-deal commission of roughly $63,000 across both sides. According to ABoR brokerage-share data, the top five listing brokerages account for roughly 52% of Zilker listings, leaving meaningful runway for capable boutique and mid-tier agents.
Seasonal Rhythm and Listing Cadence
According to ABoR monthly closings data, Zilker's seasonal rhythm is pronounced — listings released in late winter and early spring reach the strongest buyer attention by late spring.
| Quarter | Share of New Listings | Share of Closings | Avg DOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan–Mar) | 28% | 19% | 38 |
| Q2 (Apr–Jun) | 36% | 31% | 28 |
| Q3 (Jul–Sep) | 22% | 30% | 30 |
| Q4 (Oct–Dec) | 14% | 20% | 36 |
According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, Austin's typical listing-to-closing lag runs roughly 60 days; Zilker sits closer to 50 days because of the velocity of buyer activity. Farming campaigns timed to a March listing release reach peak buyer attention in May.
How to Implement Farming Automation in Zilker
Build a walk-score-aware buyer database. According to NAR's 2025 buyer survey, Zilker's defining buyer criterion is walkability to Zilker Park and Barton Springs. Configure US Tech Automations to flag prospects who reference walkability as a top criterion.
Sync Travis CAD ownership tenure. According to the Travis Central Appraisal District, ownership tenure averages 8 years in Zilker, shorter than luxury submarkets but longer than the Austin metro average of 7 years.
Layer in architectural-style segmentation. According to NAR's 2025 buyer survey, architectural style is a top-three Zilker buyer criterion. CRM segmentation by historic style (bungalow, mid-century modern, contemporary infill) supports targeted listing alerts.
Use comparison content for outer-ring trade-down narratives. Linking to outer-ring market data — for example a (Spicewood home prices) — supports trade-up conversations with empty-nesters seeking Hill Country homes.
Monitor permit and remodel activity. According to the City of Austin Development Services Department, Zilker averaged 38–46 new construction permits annually from 2021 to 2025. Permit data is one of the cleanest leading indicators of upcoming inventory.
Track Bastrop and outer-ring outflow. Linking to outer-ring content such as (Bastrop market data) supports cross-market relocation conversations with Zilker sellers seeking lower property tax burdens.
Build a short-term-rental-aware buyer track. According to AirDNA estimates, Zilker has a meaningful share of short-term rental investor activity. Segmenting investor leads from owner-occupant leads is critical for messaging fit.
Connect with Pflugerville and outer-ring agents. Linking to (Pflugerville real estate trends), (Crestview housing stats) and (Boerne housing stats) supports referral-partnership development for relocating buyers.
Implement a property tax protest reminder. According to the Travis Central Appraisal District, average annual property tax bills in Zilker exceed $18,500.
Track Austin Independent School District attendance zones. According to AISD, Zilker is split between Zilker Elementary, Becker Elementary, and Travis Heights for some southern blocks. Stay current to avoid school-zone misstatements.
Comparison with Adjacent Austin Markets
According to ABoR comparative submarket data, Zilker sits inside the high-walkability inner-loop Austin corridor with adjacent neighborhoods that share buyer flow but differ on price tier.
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Annual Volume | Avg DOM | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zilker | $900,000 | 175 | 32 | 81 |
| Bouldin Creek | $895,000 | 175 | 36 | 84 |
| Travis Heights | $945,000 | 165 | 35 | 79 |
| Barton Hills | $1,050,000 | 105 | 38 | 72 |
| South Lamar | $725,000 | 195 | 32 | 88 |
| Old West Austin | $1,000,000 | 145 | 40 | 78 |
According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, Austin's south-of-river high-walkability corridor (Zilker, Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, Barton Hills, South Lamar) produces approximately $885 million in annual volume distributed across roughly 815 closings. This corridor is one of the most consistent inner-loop velocity submarkets in the Austin metro.
Park-Adjacent Premium & Walk-Score Effects
According to Zillow Research and Walk Score data combined with ABoR sales records, Zilker's park-adjacent and walk-score premiums are measurably larger than the Austin metro average.
| Distance to Zilker Park | Approx Median Price | PPSF Premium vs Zilker Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Within 0.25 miles | $1,150,000 | +24% |
| 0.25–0.5 miles | $985,000 | +9% |
| 0.5–0.75 miles | $885,000 | -2% |
| 0.75–1.0 miles | $815,000 | -8% |
| Over 1.0 miles | $735,000 | -16% |
According to NAR's 2025 buyer research, the share of Zilker buyers who explicitly cite Zilker Park or Barton Springs proximity in their criteria is roughly 64%, the highest park-driven preference share of any Austin urban-core neighborhood.
According to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, park-adjacent premiums in Austin have remained remarkably stable for a decade, even as overall metro pricing went through pandemic-era acceleration and 2022–2023 correction. Zilker's park premium has held within a 22–26% band against the neighborhood-wide PPSF for the entire decade — a consistency that makes it one of the most reliable pricing-anchors in the Austin metro and a feature worth highlighting in seller pre-list consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Zilker? According to the Austin Board of REALTORS, Zilker's median single-family home price reached $900,000 at the start of 2026, supported by 3.6 months of supply, a 97.6% sale-to-list ratio, and an average days on market of 32. Prices range from approximately $700,000 in MoPac-adjacent blocks to over $1.5M along the Zilker Park edge.
How many homes sell in Zilker each year? According to ABoR, Zilker produced approximately 175 single-family closings in 2025, generating an estimated $185 million in transaction volume.
Is Zilker a buyer's or seller's market in 2026? According to ABoR and the Texas Real Estate Research Center, Zilker's 3.6 months of supply and 97.6% sale-to-list ratio describe a balanced-to-mildly-seller-favored market — meaningfully tighter than Travis County overall. Above the $1.3M threshold, supply lengthens to 5+ months.
What sub-area of Zilker has the most sales activity? According to ABoR, the Lamar / South 1st corridor produces the highest annual volume of closings inside Zilker, while the Zilker Park edge produces the highest single-deal commissions.
How does Zilker compare to Bouldin Creek for buyers? According to ABoR, Zilker and Bouldin Creek operate as twin walk-to-downtown urban-core neighborhoods with similar median prices ($900K vs $895K) and similar annual volumes (175 each). Zilker's defining feature is Zilker Park and Barton Springs proximity; Bouldin Creek's is direct walk-to-downtown access.
What share of Zilker buyers come from out of state? According to NAR's profile of relocating buyers and ABoR closings data, Zilker's out-of-state buyer share runs near 28%, well above the Austin metro average of 18%. California, New York, and Illinois originate the bulk of relocating Zilker buyers.
How much do property taxes cost in Zilker? According to the Travis Central Appraisal District, Zilker's effective property tax rate sits near 1.95–2.05% of assessed value. Average annual tax bills exceed $18,500 — a meaningful input on monthly carrying costs.
Short-Term Rental & Investor Activity
According to AirDNA estimates, Travis County licensing records, and ABoR sales data, Zilker has a measurable short-term rental footprint despite being a residential urban-core neighborhood.
| STR Metric | Zilker | Austin Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Licensed STR Units | 220+ | 4,800+ |
| Avg Annual Gross STR Revenue | $48,000 | $32,000 |
| Avg Occupancy Rate | 72% | 64% |
| Avg Nightly Rate | $245 | $185 |
| Estimated Investor Buyer Share | 14% | 6% |
According to AirDNA, Zilker's average annual gross short-term rental revenue ($48,000) is among the highest in the Austin metro, driven by walk-to-park location, downtown proximity, and ACL Festival event-driven demand. Farming agents who develop investor-buyer messaging — including cap rate analyses and Austin STR ordinance updates — capture a meaningful 14% of the buyer pool that competes for the same listings as owner-occupants.
According to the City of Austin, the Type 2 short-term rental ordinance has historically restricted non-owner-occupied STR licenses; ongoing regulatory developments make staying current on STR compliance one of the most differentiated value-adds an agent can offer Zilker investor clients.
Property Tax & Carrying Cost Patterns
According to the Travis Central Appraisal District and ABoR closings data, Zilker carrying costs play a recurring role in negotiations.
| Carrying Cost Category | Zilker Avg | Austin Metro Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Property Tax (annual) | $18,500 | $9,400 |
| Insurance (incl. wind/hail) | $2,800 | $2,400 |
| Utilities (avg monthly) | $325 | $290 |
| Lawn / Landscape (annual) | $1,400 | $1,200 |
| Avg Total Annual Carrying | $26,600 | $16,400 |
According to NAR seller surveys, Zilker's carrying-cost differential vs. Austin metro averages runs roughly 1.6x. Farming agents who include carrying-cost analyses in pre-list consultations help sellers set realistic listing-price expectations and avoid avoidable price reductions.
Closing: Zilker's Velocity-Driven Farming Opportunity
Zilker's farming opportunity is fundamentally about velocity in a high-demand inner-loop submarket. According to ABoR, NAR, the Texas Real Estate Research Center, and U.S. Census Bureau ACS data, the neighborhood combines a $900K median, 175 annual closings, a 32-day DOM, durable Zilker Park and Barton Springs proximity, and a brokerage market share landscape with meaningful runway for capable boutique and mid-tier agents. With US Tech Automations, your Zilker farm can run walk-score-aware buyer databases, ownership-tenure-driven nurture sequences, automated tax protest reminders, architectural-style buyer alerts, and short-term-rental-aware investor segmentation — turning the neighborhood's velocity advantage into a steady, compounding agent business.
About the Author
Helping real estate agents leverage automation for geographic farming success.
