What’s an Acre of Texas Land Worth Right Now in 2026?

Texas land values don’t move in a straight line. Prices shift by region, by land type (cropland vs. pasture vs. recreational), and by what an acre can realistically do—produce income, support a home site, or hold long-term value. The good news: recent market reports give today’s buyers and sellers clearer benchmarks than ever.

Texas land prices at a glance (latest statewide benchmarks)

If you want a current “ballpark” for rural land, start with statewide indicators and then narrow down by region and property type.

• Small rural land (statewide): Texas’ statewide small rural land sales price averaged $10,242 per acre in early 2025, up 6.42% year over year, according to the Texas Alliance of Appraisal Districts (TAAD).
• Cropland (statewide): Texas cropland averaged $2,710 per acre in 2025, up 5.4%, according to the Texas Farm Bureau.
• Pastureland (statewide): Texas pastureland averaged $2,300 per acre in 2025, up 4.5%, according to the Texas Farm Bureau.

These figures often differ from “headline” recreational or ranchette pricing because improvements, water features, access, and proximity to growth corridors can push values far beyond agricultural averages.

Regional land prices in Texas (what an acre costs depends on where)

Texas is a state of distinct land markets. Even within the same year, some regions accelerate while others cool, and quarterly shifts can change the story quickly.

Austin–Waco–Hill Country

In this high-demand corridor, prices have been relatively steady—yet still sensitive to interest rates, inventory, and buyer competition. The median rural land price in the Austin–Waco–Hill Country region was up 0.95% year over year to $7,203 per acre in Q4 2024, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center. By mid-2025, the same region saw a different direction: the price slipped 2.09% year over year to $7,454 per acre in Q2 2025, per the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

Panhandle–South Plains

The Panhandle–South Plains market is often more price-accessible than Central Texas, but it can still move sharply based on agricultural economics and buyer demand. Rural land there gained 8.19% year over year to $1,862 per acre in Q4 2024, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center. Momentum continued into 2025, with the region’s price rising 3.89% year over year to $1,894 per acre in Q2 2025, per the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

West Texas

West Texas can offer larger tracts and fewer competing buyers than metro-adjacent markets, but it’s not immune to price swings. In fact, rural land prices in West Texas rose 16.77% year over year to $2,702 per acre in Q2 2025, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

South Texas

South Texas shows how quickly conditions can change from one quarter to the next. The region’s rural land price fell 5.81% to $5,850 per acre in Q4 2024, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center. In Q2 2025, the region’s price was $6,234 per acre, per the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

Why one acre in Texas can cost $1,800—or $100,000+

Land pricing is not just about acres; it’s about attributes. Two parcels of the same size can carry radically different values based on what they offer a buyer.

Location and demand

Proximity to job growth, major highways, and fast-expanding metros can multiply land values—especially where buyers want small tracts for homesites, short-term rentals, or future development.

Water access and water rights

In many parts of Texas, water availability is the deal. Reliable wells, surface water, and documented water rights can materially increase value and reduce long-term risk.

Development potential and zoning

An acre that can be subdivided, rezoned, or served by utilities will often price at a premium compared with land limited to agricultural use.

Minerals, timber, and other natural resources

Oil, gas, and mineral rights can change an appraisal—and so can marketable timber in forested areas. Always confirm what conveys with the sale.

Infrastructure and access

Paved road frontage, power, internet availability, and reasonable drive times to services can raise demand quickly. Landlocked tracts or properties with difficult access may sell at a discount.

Is buying land in Texas still worth it?

Buying Texas land can be a strong move when the property fits your plan—whether that plan is building, ranching, recreation, or holding long-term. Recent data supports the idea that many parts of the market remain resilient, with statewide small rural land averaging $10,242 per acre in early 2025 and showing 6.42% year-over-year growth according to the Texas Alliance of Appraisal Districts (TAAD).

The smartest approach is to match the land to the use case. If you’re evaluating agricultural value, statewide benchmarks like 2025 cropland at $2,710 per acre (up 5.4%) and 2025 pastureland at $2,300 per acre (up 4.5%) from the Texas Farm Bureau can help you sanity-check a listing price—then layer in improvements, water, access, and location.

How to price an acre (buyer and seller checklist)

• Compare within the same region: Use current regional medians and trends—like the Austin–Waco–Hill Country figures reported by the Texas Real Estate Research Center—not statewide averages alone.
• Separate land value from improvements: Fences, wells, barns, and utilities can justify a premium, but they’re not the same as raw land value.
• Verify water and minerals: Confirm well logs, water rights, and whether mineral rights convey before you negotiate.
• Account for access and easements: Road frontage and legal access can be the difference between a straightforward sale and a stalled deal.
• Understand tax implications: Agricultural exemptions and rollback rules can affect your carrying costs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is one acre of land worth in Texas right now?

It depends on land type and location. For statewide context, Texas small rural land averaged $10,242 per acre in early 2025 (up 6.42% YoY) according to the Texas Alliance of Appraisal Districts (TAAD). Regionally, recent medians ranged from $1,894 per acre in the Panhandle–South Plains (Q2 2025) to $7,454 per acre in the Austin–Waco–Hill Country (Q2 2025), per the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

Which Texas regions are rising the fastest?

Recent quarterly reports show strong movement in some areas. For example, West Texas rural land rose 16.77% YoY to $2,702 per acre in Q2 2025, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

Are cropland and pastureland priced differently than recreational or ranchette land?

Yes. Agricultural averages are often lower than small-tract “lifestyle” pricing near growth corridors. In 2025, Texas cropland averaged $2,710 per acre (up 5.4%) and pastureland averaged $2,300 per acre (up 4.5%), according to the Texas Farm Bureau.

What factors have the biggest impact on per-acre value?

Location, water access/rights, development potential, utilities and road access, and any natural resources (minerals or timber) typically drive the largest price differences between otherwise similar acres.

Can Texas rural land prices go down?

Yes. Regional declines happen. For example, South Texas rural land fell 5.81% to $5,850 per acre in Q4 2024, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, before later reporting a $6,234 per acre price point in Q2 2025 per the Texas Real Estate Research Center.