The Texas rural land market is continuing to hold strong in 2026, even though sales activity has slowed from the busy post-pandemic years. According to Lynn D. Krebs, Ph.D., Research Economist with the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University, buyers are still actively looking for quality properties in desirable locations, and land values remain steady across much of the state.
As of the most recent reporting period, the statewide average rural land price reached $5,158 per acre, showing a 5.9% increase year over year. While fewer properties changed hands and overall acreage sold declined slightly, rising prices helped keep the total dollar volume of land sales strong.
One of the biggest trends shaping today’s market is what researchers call “price stickiness.” Many landowners are still holding onto peak pricing expectations from 2022 and 2023 and are reluctant to lower asking prices. At the same time, buyers are being more cautious because of higher interest rates and economic uncertainty. This has created a market where well priced properties with strong features like water access, fencing, location, and improvements continue to move quickly, while overpriced listings tend to sit longer.
Different regions across Texas are seeing different results. West Texas has experienced strong price growth, while the Panhandle and South Plains region saw a slight decline in average price per acre along with lower sales volume. Areas like the Hill Country and Gulf Coast regions continue to see strong buyer demand and upward momentum.
Looking ahead, the Texas Real Estate Research Center expects rural land prices to continue rising modestly through 2026, with sales activity improving gradually as the year goes on. A major market correction like the downturns seen in the 1980s or after 2008 is not expected, which points to continued long term stability for Texas landowners and investors.
At Triangle Realty, we keep a close eye on these market trends to help buyers and sellers make informed decisions across the Texas Panhandle and beyond. Whether you are thinking about selling farmland, recreational property, or investment acreage, understanding today’s market can make all the difference.
Research and market insights referenced in this article are courtesy of Lynn D. Krebs, Ph.D., Research Economist with the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.
Read the full article here:
https://trerc.tamu.edu/article/rural-land-spring-2026/