Real Estate Investing in Waco, Texas (76706)

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

McLennan County • Population: 40,668 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 76706 (Waco, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Lower household income: $39,317 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Waco, TX (76706)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $253,884
Avg Monthly Rent $1,421
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $39,317
% Renters 62.6%

Market Analysis: 76706 Waco

Meanwhile, ZIP 76706 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $254K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 76706 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Statewide comparisons place 76706 among TX's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 76706 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 76706, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Waco:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,421/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Waco, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
74 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.5%
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 Waco, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 76706

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$71,210/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $105,471 $1,000 6.8% +5.5% $105,471
2BR $142,420 $1,240 6.3% +7.7% $71,210
3BR $236,584 $1,600 4.9% +7.0% $78,861
4BR $365,097 $1,650 3.3% +7.1% $91,274
5BR $475,817 +8.2% $95,163

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$269K$233K$197K$161K$126K$90KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,658$1,509$1,360$1,210$1,061$912Jan 2017Oct 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 76706 Compare?

Metric 76706 Waco Waco, TX Texas
Home Value $253,884 $120,642 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.2% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,421 $1,382 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.4% 5.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 76706? Click to expand

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

63% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 76706 (Waco, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Waco, TX metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
64%
Days Pending
2/2
74 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $253,884
Monthly Rent $1,421
Price-to-Rent 14.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.7%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -9.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.6% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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.

Vacancy
12.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 76706

Population: 40,668

💰 Median Household Income
$39,317
This area
$39,317
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
62.6%
This area
62.6%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.2%
This area
23.2%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
23.4 years
This area
23.4 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.7%
This area
12.7%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.1%
Other/Mixed 17.0%
Hispanic/Latino 14.4%
Black/African American 13.5%
Asian 2.5%
👶 Under 18
20.6%
This area
20.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.0%
This area
9.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.4%
This area
13.4%
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 76706

B Avg School Grade
13 Schools
14.5:1 Avg Class Size
$13,716 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

SOUTH WACO EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
477 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,641 Per Student
A Very Good

ROBINSON J H

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,695 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ALTA VISTA EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
528 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,641 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
813 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,641 Per Student
B+ Above Average

BELL'S HILL EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
781 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,641 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ROBINSON EL

📚 02 – 03 Elementary
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,695 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ROBINSON H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
717 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,695 Per Student
B Good

ROBINSON INT

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
560 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,695 Per Student
B Good

ROBINSON PRI

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
393 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,695 Per Student
B Good

UNIVERSITY H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,750 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,641 Per Student
C Below Average

CHALLENGE ACADEMY

📚 08 – 11 High School Limited Data
👥
7 Students
💰
$14,303 Per Student
C Below Average

MCLENNAN COUNTY CHALLENGE ACADEMY

📚 Grade 09 High School Limited Data
👥
1 Students
💰
$16,078 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

CHALLENGE ACADEMY

📚 08 – 10 High School Limited Data
👥
2 Students
💰
$11,249 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

4 Nearby 5,693 Off-Campus Students
D
Southern Careers Institute-Waco
205 students · 4.3 mi
B
Baylor University
20,824 students · 5.9 mi
C
McLennan Community College
7,217 students · 9.8 mi
C+
Texas State Technical College
11,436 students · 12.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,693 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Waco, TX?

Waco, TX rentals go for roughly $1,421/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $254K acquisition costs.

How strong is tenant demand in Waco, TX?

Tenant demand in Waco, TX is solid. The local workforce $1,421/mo rents across most rental classes.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Waco, TX?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Waco, TX. With home values at $254K and rents near $1,421/mo, other strategies can work but produce steady rather than outsized returns.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Waco, TX?

Waco, TX is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $254K price point reasonable to enter.

How do home values compare in Waco, TX?

Waco, TX median home values land near $254K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,421/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 76706 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 76706 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.

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How 76706 ranks in Waco, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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