Real Estate Investing in Stephenville, Texas (76401)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Erath County • Population: 30,873 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 76401 (Stephenville, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Stephenville, TX (76401)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $327,018
Avg Monthly Rent $899
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,918
% Renters 43.2%

Market Analysis: 76401 Stephenville

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Stephenville's 76401 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $327K pricing implies.

The 76401 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in Stephenville have seen price recovery that 76401 has not matched. Erath County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 76401 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 76401 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Stephenville:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $899/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Stephenville, TX Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
6.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Stephenville, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 76401

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$98,825/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $198,377 $1,170 4.2% +11.1% $99,189
3BR $296,475 $1,630 4.0% +9.4% $98,825
4BR $431,672 $1,900 3.2% +9.7% $107,918

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$346K$300K$254K$208K$162K$116KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,459$1,332$1,205$1,078$951$824Mar 2023Nov 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 76401 Compare?

Metric 76401 Stephenville Stephenville, TX Texas
Home Value $327,018 $163,509 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $899 $899 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 76401? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 43% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 76401 (Stephenville, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Stephenville, TX metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
65%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $327,018
Monthly Rent $899
Price-to-Rent 30.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -4.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
12.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 76401

Population: 30,873

💰 Median Household Income
$56,918
This area
$56,918
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
43.2%
This area
43.2%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
34.8%
This area
34.8%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
29.6 years
This area
29.6 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.0%
This area
12.0%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 82.2%
Other/Mixed 14.7%
Hispanic/Latino 11.8%
Black/African American 1.9%
Asian 1.3%
👶 Under 18
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.7%
This area
7.7%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 76401

B+ Avg School Grade
11 Schools
12.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,499 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

HUCKABAY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
330 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,715 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CHAMBERLIN EL

📚 01 – 02 Elementary
👥
488 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,988 Per Student
B+ Above Average

GILBERT INT

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
528 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,988 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HENDERSON J H

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
553 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,988 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HOOK EL

📚 03 – 04 Elementary
👥
552 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,988 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MORGAN MILL EL

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
122 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,336 Per Student
B Good

CENTRAL EL

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
442 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,988 Per Student
B Good

STEPHENVILLE H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,115 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,988 Per Student
B Good

THREE WAY H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
43 Students
👨‍🏫
4.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,329 Per Student
B Good

THREE WAY PK-8

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
162 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,329 Per Student
C+ Average

HUSTON ACADEMY

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
50 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,851 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
C+
Tarleton State University
15,937 students · 4.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How do experienced investors play Stephenville, TX?

The best-fit strategy in Stephenville, TX is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How much do tenants pay in Stephenville, TX?

Expect rents around $899/mo per month in Stephenville, TX. With home values at $327K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Stephenville, TX?

The tenant pool in Stephenville, TX is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $899/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Stephenville, TX?

Stephenville, TX sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader TX rental market.

Is Stephenville, TX good for house hacking?

House hacking in Stephenville, TX is a challenging. With home values around $327K and rents at $899/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

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How 76401 ranks in Stephenville, TX

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