Lubbock Rental Market Report
August 2026: More Leases Closed as Active Supply Fell
August brought more completed leases and higher achieved rents than a year ago. The next test is whether days on market can keep improving after the summer leasing rush.
August at a glance
Leasing Volume Rose 37.5%
In Lubbock County, 341 residential leases closed in August 2026, compared with 248 a year earlier. The average achieved monthly rent climbed from $1,439.28 to $1,526.47, an increase of $87.19 or 6.1%. Average days on market (DOM) moved from 55.3 to 54.2 days.
| August residential leases | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed leases | 210 | 248 | 341 |
| Average achieved rent | $1,316 | $1,439 | $1,526 |
| Average DOM | 46.4 | 55.3 | 54.2 |
The increase in rent also appears within the largest bedroom group: three-bedroom homes averaged $1,610 in August 2026 versus $1,477 in August 2025, about a 9% increase across 188 and 151 leases, respectively. A home’s location, condition and features still matter when setting its price, but the higher average is not limited to a shift in the overall mix of bedroom counts.
Supply and demand
More Closings, Fewer New Listings
FlexMLS recorded 251 new residential lease listings in August 2026, down slightly from 261 in August 2025. Closings, meanwhile, rose from 248 to 341. Its snapshot of active listings declined from 653 to 560 year over year and from 646 in July 2026.
The active count is a snapshot on the 15th of the month, not the number available on August 31 or the total that was active at any point in August. New listings are assigned by listing contract date, while closed leases are assigned by close date. Those figures describe different flows, so subtracting closings from new listings does not produce an end-of-month inventory figure.
August Listing Activity
Light blue: 2025 | Dark blue: 2026
Active listings are measured on the 15th; new and closed listings are monthly totals.
Leasing speed
Can Days on Market Keep Falling This Fall?
Average DOM improved modestly to 54.2 days, about 1.1 days below August 2025. That is still roughly 18 days above our 36-day operating benchmark, but the movement is encouraging alongside higher closing volume and lower active supply. Of the 341 August closings, 174 showed DOM of 36 days or less.
The real test comes as the market moves into its slower season. Will the average return to 60 days or more, or continue toward 36? If DOM keeps declining after the summer rush, that would be stronger evidence of a lasting shift. Marketwide MLS DOM measures time listed, not an individual owner’s actual vacancy rate.
Neighborhood performance
Highest Rent and Fastest Leasing Were Different Zip Codes
We require at least 10 closed leases in a zip code before ranking it. Among qualifying zip codes, 79407 had the highest average achieved rent at $1,855.50 across 28 leases. 79424 had the lowest average DOM at 26.6 days across 44 leases, with average achieved rent of $1,842.95.
| Zip code | Closed leases | Average achieved rent | Average DOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79423 | 52 | $1,581 | 36.5 |
| 79416 | 50 | $1,582 | 44.8 |
| 79424 | 44 | $1,843 | 26.6 |
| 79410 | 37 | $1,526 | 80.4 |
| 79413 | 30 | $1,367 | 62.4 |
| 79407 | 28 | $1,856 | 51.1 |
| 79411 | 20 | $1,046 | 65.2 |
| 79401 | 19 | $1,201 | 115.2 |
| 79382 | 18 | $1,792 | 59.6 |
| 79414 | 12 | $1,150 | 50.4 |
| 79403 | 11 | $1,348 | 43.9 |
79410 includes Tech Terrace, where much of the rental cycle follows the university calendar. A property marketed ahead of the academic-year move-in period can accumulate more DOM than one listed at peak demand. Its August average of 80.4 days calls for a look at listing timing, property type and intended move-in date before judging the area’s underlying demand.
Local development
Texas Tech Opens Fall With Record Enrollment
Texas Tech reported 45,812 students at the opening of fall 2026, more than 3,859 above the year-earlier opening figure. Growth can support demand for rentals serving students, employees and relocating households. It can also attract additional rental supply. The MLS numbers do not show how much of August’s leasing or rent change resulted from enrollment growth.
Fall outlook
Prepare for the Seasonal Slowdown; Watch DOM Closely
Experienced Lubbock leasing professionals expect activity to slow once school starts and the peak summer moving window passes. Families and students settle into fall routines, while football season and events such as the Panhandle-South Plains Fair, September 25 through October 3, fill the local calendar. The data cannot isolate an effect from any one event, but the timing matters when planning marketing and showings.
MLS closings followed that seasonal pattern in both prior years: 210 in August fell to 159 in September 2024, and 248 fell to 198 in 2025. We should prepare for fewer closings than August’s peak. The question is whether the average marketing time also rises or continues its gradual improvement.
Price for today’s choices
Use nearby closed leases with similar bedrooms, condition and features. Review showing and application response early.
Compare rent and speed
A higher asking rent has less value if the property spends considerably longer waiting for a tenant.
Test the trend
Compare September DOM, new listings and active supply with prior falls to see whether August’s improvement holds.
Data and methodology: Lubbock County residential lease activity from FlexMLS Market Statistics and MLS closed-lease records. New listings use listing contract date; closed leases use close date and final close price. FlexMLS active listings are a snapshot on the 15th, not month-end inventory. Zip rankings require at least 10 closed leases. The working August 2026 sheet contains damaged MLS identifiers and 186 damaged close-date cells; although FlexMLS independently confirms the countywide 341 closed leases, the property-level and zip code breakdown should be checked against intact records before publication. Statistics describe MLS-listed properties, not every rental in the county. FlexMLS Market Summary definitions.
Local Experience. Professional Management.
Why Work With Coldwell Banker Residential Property Management?
Property ownership should build value without consuming your time. Our team combines local market knowledge, clear systems, useful technology, and responsive service to protect your investment and simplify the ownership experience.
Simplified Ownership
We coordinate marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, and compliance.
Property Expertise
Our approach is tailored to single-family homes, multifamily communities, and each owner’s plan.
Clear Communication
Owners receive timely information about leasing, property condition, and financial performance.
Useful Technology
Online portals, reporting systems, and marketing tools support efficient property operations.
Responsive Service
Technology supports the process, while attentive and accountable service remains the priority.
Local Market Strategy
Recommendations are grounded in current Lubbock rent, days on market, property condition, and neighborhood activity.
Let’s Talk About Your Property
Choose a convenient time to speak with Michael Fernuik about your goals and property-management needs.
Schedule Time with Michael Fernuik →