Abilene Housing Market Update: Higher Prices, Slower Sales

September 2026 | Abilene & the Big Country

If you only looked at September’s median sales price, you’d probably think Abilene’s housing market was booming.

The median reached $300,000, a 24.4% increase over September of last year.

But that’s not really what we’re seeing in the market.

Home sales are down, inventory is down, and mortgage rates have risen sharply in recent weeks. We’re continuing to see a market that’s slowing down, even as the reported median sales price climbs.

September Housing Market Numbers

According to the Abilene Association of REALTORS®:

• Median Sales Price: $300,000, up 24.4%
• Closed Sales: 215, down 15.4%
• Active Listings: 555, down 19.3%
• Days on Market: 36
• Months of Inventory: 2.4, down from 3.3 last year

Why Are Prices Up So Much?

We’ve discussed this in previous market updates, but it’s worth repeating: a 24.4% increase in median sales price doesn’t mean the average home in Abilene is worth 24.4% more than it was a year ago.

The median is heavily influenced by which homes happen to sell during a particular month.

In September, more than half of all sales were above $300,000, while fewer than 17% were below $200,000.

When fewer affordable homes are available and selling, the median naturally moves higher. That doesn’t necessarily reflect a similar increase in the value of individual homes.

We’ve been dealing with limited affordable inventory for quite some time, and that continues to be one of the biggest challenges for buyers in Abilene.

Fewer Sales, But Also Fewer Homes Available

September sales declined 15.4% compared to last year, but active listings fell even further at 19.3%.

That’s an interesting combination.

We have fewer buyers completing purchases, but we also have fewer homeowners putting properties on the market. Inventory remains relatively tight at just 2.4 months.

And as we’ve discussed before, the market looks very different depending on the price range. Affordable homes can still attract significant competition, while higher-priced properties may take longer to sell.

The overall market is slowing, but that doesn’t mean every segment of the market is experiencing the same conditions.

Interest Rates and the Upcoming Election

Mortgage rates have increased sharply over the last several weeks, and I expect that to have a greater impact on the market moving forward.

It’s important to remember that September’s closed sales largely represent contracts negotiated weeks earlier, before much of the recent increase in rates.

Higher rates make homes less affordable for buyers and give existing homeowners with low-rate mortgages another reason to stay put.

We’re also heading into a major election, which can add another layer of hesitation.

In my experience, it’s fairly common for people to put major financial decisions on hold when there’s uncertainty about what’s coming next. And that hesitation isn’t necessarily about which political party wins. Sometimes people simply want the election behind them before making a decision.

I’m hopeful we’ll see some renewed activity once that uncertainty is removed, and perhaps some relief in mortgage rates as well. Of course, interest rates will ultimately depend on broader economic conditions, not simply the election results.

Where Do We Go From Here?

I don’t expect any dramatic changes in Abilene’s housing market overnight.

Affordability remains a challenge, inventory is still limited in important price ranges, and higher interest rates are making things more difficult for buyers.

For sellers, pricing correctly is more important than ever. For buyers, a slower market may create opportunities, particularly with properties that have been sitting on the market longer.

My biggest takeaway from September is that higher median prices don’t necessarily mean a stronger housing market, just as slower sales don’t necessarily mean home values are falling.

There’s a lot more happening beneath the headline numbers, and understanding those differences is what matters when you’re making real estate decisions.

At Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Senter, REALTORS®, we’ve been helping Abilene families and businesses navigate changing markets since 1957.

Nobody Knows Abilene Better.