Real Estate Investing in Lockhart, Texas (78644)

Caldwell County • Population: 20,599 • Data updated: June 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 78644 (Lockhart, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Lockhart, TX (78644)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $286,928
Avg Monthly Rent $1,638
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,496
% Renters 30.4%

Market Analysis: 78644 Lockhart

ZIP 78644 inside Caldwell County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $287K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 78644 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $287K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 78644 among TX's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Meanwhile, 20,599 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lockhart:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,638/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
79 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 78644

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
6.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$77,417/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $203,829 $1,490 5.3% +4.8% $203,829
2BR $211,134 $1,760 6.0% +6.2% $105,567
3BR $272,993 $2,240 5.9% +5.5% $90,998
4BR $309,667 $2,600 6.0% +4.8% $77,417

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$358K$305K$252K$199K$146K$93KJan 2009Sep 2017May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,817$1,770$1,722$1,675$1,628$1,581Jul 2024Jun 2025May 2026

📊 How Does 78644 Compare?

Metric 78644 Lockhart Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX Texas
Home Value $286,928 $286,928 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 3.3% 3.3% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,638 $1,638 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 78644? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78644 (Lockhart, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 78644 (Lockhart, TX)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $286,928
Monthly Rent $1,638
Price-to-Rent 14.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.6% ▼
5-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -9.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
9.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78644

Population: 20,599

💰 Median Household Income
$70,496
This area
$70,496
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.4%
This area
30.4%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.5%
This area
0.5%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.7%
This area
18.7%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.7 years
This area
38.7 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 70.5%
Other/Mixed 24.0%
Hispanic/Latino 22.1%
Black/African American 4.3%
Asian 1.3%
👶 Under 18
22.4%
This area
22.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.5%
This area
16.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 78644

C+ Avg School Grade
11 Schools
16.5:1 Avg Class Size
$11,997 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

TRINITY CHARTER SCHOOLS - LOCKHART CAMPUS

📚 05 – 12 High School Charter
👥
129 Students
👨‍🏫
5.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,804 Per Student
B+ Above Average

PLUM CREEK EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
526 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
B Good

BLUEBONNET EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
579 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
B Good

CLEAR FORK EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
B Good

GEORGE W CARVER EARLY EDUCATION CENTER

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
308 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
B Good

NAVARRO EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
603 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
C+ Average

LOCKHART PRIDE H S

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
67 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
C+ Average

LOCKHART H S

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
2,012 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
C+ Average

LOCKHART J H

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,432 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,622 Per Student
C Below Average

THE EXCEL CENTER (FOR ADULTS)

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
506 Students
👨‍🏫
21.7:1 Class Size
💰
$8,094 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

THE EXCEL CENTER FOR ADULTS - LOCKHART

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
193 Students
👨‍🏫
27.9:1 Class Size
💰
$8,094 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C
Total Transformation Institute of Cosmetology
94 students · 14.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lockhart, TX good for landlords?

Landlord-friendliness in Lockhart, TX is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

What is the renter demographic in Lockhart, TX?

The tenant pool in Lockhart, TX is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,638/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What approach is best for Lockhart, TX real estate?

In Lockhart, TX the robust play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $287K prices and $1,638/mo rents suits that approach.

Is Lockhart, TX a smart market for rental property?

Our data puts Lockhart, TX at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $287K and rents around $1,638/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Is Lockhart, TX suited for a house hack?

Lockhart, TX is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $287K price point reasonable to enter.

See what 78644 really looks like for investors

You're reading the free snapshot. Unlock appreciation trends, cap rates, vacancy signals, Section 8 data, and full demographics for 78644.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 78644 (Lockhart)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 78644 (Lockhart, TX).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.