Real Estate Investing in Houston, Texas (77021)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 77021 (Houston, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- High vacancy: 12.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.8% CAGR).
- Elevated poverty: 21.3% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Higher unemployment: 7.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
What’s happening in Houston, TX (77021)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 77021 Houston
Investors eyeing 77021 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $194K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The 77021 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 Houston have seen price recovery that 77021 has not matched. Harris County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
The 77021 ZIP's population of 24,884 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.
The 77021 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 Houston:
Property Strategy for 77021
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $134,610 | $1,420 | 7.6% | +2.2% | $67,305 |
| 3BR | $200,539 | $1,910 | 6.9% | +2.9% | $66,846 |
| 4BR | $288,067 | $2,380 | 5.9% | +2.7% | $72,017 |
| 5BR | $650,320 | — | — | +5.3% | $130,064 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 77021 Compare?
| Metric | 77021 | Houston | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $194,174 | $318,356 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 0.8% | 2.6% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,853 | $1,555 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 7.5% | 4.6% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 77021 (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
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
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
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $194,174 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,853 |
| Price-to-Rent | 8.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 11.5% |
| Cap Rate | 7.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -2.4% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +0.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.2% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +1.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.5%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.
⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 77021
Population: 24,884
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 77021
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
BLACKSHEAR EL
CAGE EL
LOCKHART EL
YATES H S
ALCOTT EL
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
Investor Insight: With 25,294 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical home price in Houston, TX?
Houston, TX home values average about $194K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,853/mo in monthly income.
What is the tenant pool like in Houston, TX?
Tenant quality in Houston, TX ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $1,853/mo.
How much is rent in Houston, TX?
The typical rental in Houston, TX commands about $1,853/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $194K purchase basis.
What is the best play in Houston, TX?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Houston, TX best. The market produces reliable results for that approach at the $194K price point.
Is Houston, TX suited for a house hack?
Houston, TX offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,853/mo rent level.
You know 77021 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 77021 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 77021 ranks in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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