Real Estate Investing in Houston, Texas (77018)

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

Harris County • Population: 29,595 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 77018 (Houston, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Houston, TX (77018)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $539,739
Avg Monthly Rent $2,148
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $111,524
% Renters 30.6%

Market Analysis: 77018 Houston

ZIP 77018 in Houston, TX carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $540K and rents of $2,148/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 77018 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $540K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 77018 and stronger Houston ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 77018 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategically, 77018 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Houston:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,148/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
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
79 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.2%
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 Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 77018

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$158,290/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $431,433 $1,500 2.5% +6.0% $215,717
3BR $474,871 $2,020 3.1% +4.3% $158,290
4BR $921,436 $2,520 2.0% +6.2% $230,359
5BR $1,245,536 +6.4% $249,107

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$577K$497K$417K$338K$258K$178KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,220$2,135$2,051$1,967$1,882$1,798Sep 2022Aug 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 77018 Compare?

Metric 77018 Houston Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Texas
Home Value $539,739 $318,356 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 2.6% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $2,148 $1,555 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.1% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 77018? Click to expand

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

📊 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 77018 (Houston, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Harris County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

SBB Community Management provides Texas HOA management services, including financial management, property maintenance, and technology solutions, serving Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston since 1974. summary from their website

HOACommercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

KPM Property Management offers end-to-end solutions including pre-acquisition due diligence, on-site property management, and development of townhomes in the Houston area. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

SBB Community Management provides Texas HOA management services for homeowners associations, condominium associations, and master-planned communities across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. summary from their website

HOACommercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $539,739
Monthly Rent $2,148
Price-to-Rent 20.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
10.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 77018

Population: 29,595

💰 Median Household Income
$111,524
This area
$111,524
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.6%
This area
30.6%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
57.3%
This area
57.3%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.0 years
This area
37.0 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 68.9%
Other/Mixed 20.5%
Hispanic/Latino 16.4%
Black/African American 7.7%
Asian 2.7%
👶 Under 18
25.2%
This area
25.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.0%
This area
12.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
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 77018

B+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
15.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,515 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

WASHINGTON B T H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
837 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
B+ Above Average

DURHAM EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
570 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
B+ Above Average

GARDEN OAKS MONTESSORI

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
780 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
B+ Above Average

STEVENS EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
574 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HARPER DAEP

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
127 Students
👨‍🏫
5.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
B Good

OAK FOREST EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
922 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
B Good

WALTRIP H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,659 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
B Good

BLACK MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,331 Students
👨‍🏫
18.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

HIGHLAND HTS EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 865 PAUL QUINN ST, HOUSTON
👥
444 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
A Very Good

WAINWRIGHT EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 5330 MILWEE ST, HOUSTON
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
A Very Good

WILLIAMS MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 6100 KNOX ST, HOUSTON
👥
393 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
A Very Good

BURRUS EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 701 E 33RD ST, HOUSTON
👥
216 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
A Very Good

CLIFTON MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 6001 GOLDEN FOREST DR, HOUSTON
👥
419 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 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

8 Nearby 16,904 Off-Campus Students
D
Culinary Institute Inc
334 students · 2.8 mi
C+
Northwest Educational Center
233 students · 3.0 mi
C+
School of Automotive Machinists & Technology
102 students · 3.4 mi
C
The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest
3,794 students · 3.6 mi
C
Premier Barber School
48 students · 5.6 mi
C
University of Houston-Downtown
14,105 students · 5.8 mi
C
South Texas College of Law Houston
1,036 students · 6.3 mi
C+
Houston Community College
49,749 students · 6.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 16,904 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Houston, TX for investors?

Investors tracking Houston, TX will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $540K median home values and $2,148/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

How do experienced investors play Houston, TX?

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

How much is rent in Houston, TX?

Rents in Houston, TX run near $2,148/mo. Compared with median home prices of $540K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How strong is tenant demand in Houston, TX?

Working renters make up the core of the Houston, TX tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Houston, TX?

Rental vacancy in Houston, TX is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

You know 77018 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 77018 ranks in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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