●78742 Homes for Sale

Market Overview for Zip Code 78742

There are 1 active listings in Zip Code 78742 with a median list price of $289K and a median sold price of $275K.

Homes average 6 days on market.

Most homes that closed in the last 90 days sold in the Under $300K range (100% of 1 closings), taking a median 6 days to go under contract; 0% of closings were $500K or more.

Over the past 30 days, 0 homes have sold, with 2 sales in the past 12 months.

The average price per square foot is $265.

About Zip Code 78742

Zip code 78742 covers the Montopolis area of southeast Austin, a small zip code bounded roughly by the Colorado River on the north and west, Highway 71 on the south, and FM 973 on the east. The area sits approximately 5 miles southeast of downtown Austin and 3 miles east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Montopolis is one of Austin's oldest communities, with roots dating to the mid-1800s when it served as a crossing point on the Colorado River. The area is largely flat river bottomland with scattered tree cover along the Colorado River and Onion Creek. Industrial and commercial uses occupy significant portions of the zip code, particularly along the Highway 71 and Montopolis Drive corridors.

Real estate in 78742 consists primarily of modest single-family homes on small lots, many built between the 1940s and 1970s. Homes range from 800 to 1,800 square feet on lots of 0.1 to 0.25 acres, with prices from $250K to $425K. Some newer infill construction and small-lot developments have appeared in recent years, offering updated homes from $350K to $500K. Manufactured homes and duplexes are also present. The median home price across 78742 is approximately $325K, making it one of the most affordable zip codes in close-in Austin. The area has a high share of rental properties, including older apartment complexes and converted single-family homes.

Students in 78742 attend Austin ISD schools. Allison Elementary serves pre-K through 5th grade. Martin Middle School, which covered 6th through 8th grade, closed at the end of the 2025-26 school year under Austin ISD's consolidation plan; its students were reassigned to Kealing, Marshall, or Lively Middle School. Crockett High School is the feeder high school with approximately 1,600 students. The schools offer bilingual and ESL programs. Travis Early College High School, which offers dual-enrollment programs with Austin Community College, is also an option for area students. The district has invested in facility improvements at Crockett and the feeder campuses.

Montopolis Drive and Riverside Drive are the primary local roads, connecting west to I-35 and central Austin. Highway 71 runs along the southern boundary, providing direct access to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in about 5 minutes and to Highway 130 heading south. Commute times to downtown Austin are typically 10 to 20 minutes via Riverside Drive or I-35. Capital Metro bus routes serve the area along Montopolis Drive and Riverside. The nearest major retail is the Eastside H-E-B on East Riverside, about 5 minutes west. The area has limited commercial amenities, with most shopping and dining requiring a short drive to the Riverside or Ben White corridors.

Living in Zip Code 78742

Montopolis is a long-established neighborhood with deep community roots. Median household income in 78742 is approximately $38,000, among the lowest in the Austin metro, though the area's proximity to downtown and the airport has begun to attract investor interest and new development. Many residents work in construction, service industries, food service, and logistics. The community has a high rate of multigenerational homeownership, with households that have lived in the area for decades. The rising property values in surrounding zip codes have placed increasing tax pressure on longtime owners.

Daily life in Montopolis centers on community. The Montopolis Recreation Center, operated by the City of Austin, offers after-school programs, fitness classes, and community meeting space. Montopolis Neighborhood Park has a playground, basketball courts, and picnic areas along the Colorado River. Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park, accessible from the northwestern edge, provides 300+ acres of trails and river access for fishing and kayaking. Local taco trucks and family-owned restaurants along Montopolis Drive serve traditional Mexican food. The nearest full-service grocery is the H-E-B on East Riverside, about 5 minutes west. Community organizations like the Montopolis Neighborhood Association work on issues including code enforcement, flood mitigation, and affordable housing preservation.

Things to Do in Zip Code 78742

• Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park: 300+ acre park on the Colorado River with hiking and biking trails, disc golf, kayak launch, and fishing areas.
• Montopolis Neighborhood Park: Community park with a playground, basketball courts, and picnic areas along the Colorado River.
• Montopolis Recreation Center: City-operated facility with after-school programs, fitness classes, community events, and meeting space.
• Colorado River Fishing: Bank fishing access along the Colorado River for bass, catfish, and sunfish at multiple points within the zip code.
• Thinkery Children's Museum: Interactive children's science museum about 10 minutes north on East Cesar Chavez, with exhibits for ages 0 to 11.

Major Employers in Zip Code 78742

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (Transportation): City-owned airport about 3 miles south employing over 6,000 across airlines, concessions, and ground services.
• Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Manufacturing): Samsung's East Austin semiconductor fab on East Parmer is about 10 miles north, employing 3,000+ people.
• City of Austin (Government): Municipal government provides services including police, fire, EMS, and parks with facilities throughout the area.
• Austin ISD (Education): District employing approximately 11,000 staff across campuses, with feeder schools in the Montopolis area.
• Amazon (Logistics): Amazon operates distribution and delivery facilities in the southeast Austin area employing several hundred.

Zip Code 78742 Schools

78742 is served by Austin ISD, which offers bilingual and ESL programs.

School District: Austin ISD

Public Schools

Pre-Schools

• Montopolis Head Start - Federally funded early childhood program at the Montopolis Recreation Center.
• Eastside Head Start - Head Start program serving income-eligible households in southeast Austin.

Private Schools

• St. Ignatius Catholic School - Pre-K through 8th grade on Oltorf Street, approximately 10 minutes west.
• Austin Waldorf School - Independent school on South Lamar for pre-K through 8th grade, about 15 minutes west.

Frequently Asked Questions