Real Estate Investing in Chico, Texas (76431)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 76431 (Chico, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Chico, TX (76431)?
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Market Analysis: 76431 Chico
ZIP 76431 inside Wise County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $358K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Rent of $1,089/mo on a $358K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 76431 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Within TX, ZIP 76431 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Wise County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
Employment concentration in 76431 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
The 76431 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Chico:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 76431 Compare?
| Metric | 76431 | Chico | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $357,797 | $357,797 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.3% | 3.3% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,089 | $1,089 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% | 2.4% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 76431 (Chico, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $357,797 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,089 |
| Price-to-Rent | 27.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.7% |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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.
Demographics in 76431
Population: 4,480
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 76431
Schools in This ZIP Code
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should investors approach Chico, TX?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Chico, TX. With home values at $358K and rents near $1,089/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.
Is Chico, TX landlord-friendly?
The landlord environment in Chico, TX is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
How strong are rents in Chico, TX?
Expect rents around $1,089/mo per month in Chico, TX. With home values at $358K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Chico, TX?
House hacking in Chico, TX is reasonable to execute. Prices around $358K and rents of $1,089/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
Are there empty rentals in Chico, TX?
Chico, TX carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $1,089/mo.
You know 76431 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 76431 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 76431 ranks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
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