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ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 78738

Part of Austin, TX
Pop. 31,019·Travis County·13th most expensive ZIP in Texas
Median rent (all units)
$2,602/mo
Year-over-Year
+18.5%
Month-over-Month
+17.4%
vs US Median
+$672
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 78738 · $2,602
More expensive than 82% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,930/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,780
1 BR
$1,880
2 BR
$2,230
3 BR
$2,830
4 BR+
$3,320
Research median
$2,230/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: May 18, 2026

Annual cost
$31,224/yr
At $2,602/mo median
Location
CityAustin
StateTX
CountyTravis County
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 78738 (Austin, TX) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 75% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
31,019
Median income
$183,048
Median age
43.4
Renters
24.7%
Age distribution
26.7%
33.4%
16.2%
Under 1826.7%
18–3412%
35–5433.4%
55–6411.7%
65+16.2%
Gender
50.4%
49.6%
Male50.4%
Female49.6%
Race & ethnicity
70.7%
12.3%
White70.7%
Black3%
Hispanic11.9%
Asian12.3%
Other2%
Education (25+)
14.6%
75%
No HS diploma2%
HS diploma8.4%
Some college14.6%
Bachelor's+75%
Housing tenure
75.3%
24.7%
Owner75.3%
Renter24.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 78738 in Austin, TX has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,031 → $2,602
up 28.1%
Income
$143,639 → $183,048
up 27.4%
Population
26,806 → 31,019
up 15.7%
Renter share
22.5% → 24.7%
+2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
74.1% → 75%
+0.9 pts
Median age
42 → 43.4
+1.4 yrs

Rent in ZIP 78738 in Austin, TX has climbed 28.1% since 2021, going from about $2,031 per month to roughly $2,602 today. Median household income grew from $143,639 to $183,048 between 2021 and 2024, a 27.4% shift. Headcount in the area went from 26,806 to 31,019 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.7% change. About 24.7% of households rent today, against 22.5% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 78738 in Austin, TX reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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About renting in ZIP 78738

Last updated: May 18, 2026

ZIP code 78738 covers Austin, TX. The median rent here is $2,602/mo as of May 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,880/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,230/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($183,048/yr), ZIP 78738 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 18.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 78738?

As of May 18, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 78738 (Austin, TX) is $2,602. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 78738 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 78738's median rent of $2,602/mo is $672 (35%) above the US national median of $1,930/mo.

How does ZIP 78738 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 78738 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Texas, ranking #13 out of 687 ZIPs tracked at $2,602/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 78738?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $104,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,602/mo in ZIP 78738. The local median household income is $183,048/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 78738?

Rent in ZIP 78738 has increased 18.5% over the past year as of May 18, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 78738 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 78738 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,602/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($183,048/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 78738 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 78738 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.7% of ZIP 78738 households are renters, while 75.3% are owner-occupied. ZIP 78738 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 78738 compare to the rest of Austin?

ZIP 78738 is pricier than Austin as a whole. At $2,602/mo, it's $1,035 above the Austin citywide median of $1,567/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 78738 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 78738 reflects May 18, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Affordability
17%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,602/mo, rent takes ~17% of ZIP 78738's median household income ($183,048/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 78738 17%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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