ZIP Code · TX

ZIP 79720

Part of Big Spring, TX

Pop. 29,936·Howard County·447th most expensive ZIP in Texas

Median rent (all units)

$1,452/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.8%

Month-over-Month

+1.6%

vs US Median

-$480

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 79720 · $1,452

More affordable than 76% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,430

1 BR

$1,440

2 BR

$1,690

3 BR

$2,120

4 BR+

$2,730

Research median

$1,690/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Texas

Rent in ZIP 79720 changed +7.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($68,785) is $1,720 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,690); a 3-bedroom is $2,120.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 79720. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,424/yr

At $1,452/mo median

Location

CityBig Spring

StateTX

CountyHoward County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.8% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 79720 (Big Spring, TX) is majority owner-occupied, 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

29,936

Median income

$68,785

Median age

37.3

Renters

30.8%

Age distribution

21.6%

24.1%

29.3%

13.4%

Under 1821.6%

18–3424.1%

35–5429.3%

55–6411.6%

65+13.4%

Gender

55.6%

44.4%

Male55.6%

Female44.4%

Race & ethnicity

62.7%

47.2%

White62.7%

Black5.3%

Hispanic47.2%

Asian1.4%

Education (25+)

18.9%

32.9%

32.6%

15.7%

No HS diploma18.9%

HS diploma32.9%

Some college32.6%

Bachelor's+15.7%

Housing tenure

69.2%

30.8%

Owner69.2%

Renter30.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 79720 in Big Spring, TX has changed in 5 years

Income

$60,122 → $68,785

up 14.4%

Population

32,431 → 29,936

down 7.7%

Renter share

33.1% → 30.8%

-2.3 pts

Bachelor's+

13.9% → 15.7%

+1.8 pts

Census figures show median household income at $68,785 today, compared with $60,122 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 32,431 to 29,936 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.7% change. About 30.8% of households rent today, against 33.1% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 79720

About renting in ZIP 79720

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 79720 covers Big Spring, TX. The median rent here is $1,452/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,440/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,690/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($68,785/yr), ZIP 79720 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 79720?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (about $28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,452/mo in ZIP 79720. The local median household income is $68,785/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 79720?

Rent in ZIP 79720 has risen 7.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 79720 compare to other ZIPs in Texas?

ZIP 79720 is in the middle among Texas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #447 of 693 at $1,452/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 79720 changed +7.8%, against a typical +1.2% across the 629 Texas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.