Real Estate Investing in Houston, Texas (77031)

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

Harris County • Population: 15,740 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 77031 (Houston, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Houston, TX (77031)?

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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 $255,727
Avg Monthly Rent $1,705
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,412
% Renters 55.9%

Market Analysis: 77031 Houston

ZIP 77031 inside Harris County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $256K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 77031 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

From an investor standpoint, 77031 offers a low basis, the region around Houston has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Employment concentration in 77031 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 77031 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: 64/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,705/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 77031

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$51,202/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $102,404 $1,260 8.9% +6.8% $51,202
3BR $241,900 $1,700 5.1% +6.0% $80,633
4BR $275,082 $2,110 5.5% +5.9% $68,770

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$274K$238K$203K$168K$132K$97KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,714$1,688$1,662$1,636$1,609$1,583May 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 77031 Compare?

Metric 77031 Houston Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Texas
Home Value $255,727 $318,356 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 2.6% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,705 $1,555 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.2% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 77031? Click to expand

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

56% 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 77031 (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
5.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $255,727
Monthly Rent $1,705
Price-to-Rent 12.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.0%
Cap Rate 5.2%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.2%). 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
11.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 77031

Population: 15,740

💰 Median Household Income
$44,412
This area
$44,412
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
55.9%
This area
55.9%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.2%
This area
19.2%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.2 years
This area
35.2 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.9%
This area
11.9%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 40.0%
White 37.6%
Hispanic/Latino 36.8%
Black/African American 17.2%
Asian 5.1%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.5%
This area
12.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.8%
This area
17.8%
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 77031

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
16.0:1 Avg Class Size
$13,444 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

BELL EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
564 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
C+ Average

YES PREP - BRAYS OAKS

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
1,032 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,372 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

BOONE EL

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 11400 BISSONNET, HOUSTON
👥
528 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,230 Per Student
A Very Good

CUMMINGS EL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 10455 S KIRKWOOD, HOUSTON
👥
544 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,230 Per Student
A Very Good

KENNEDY EL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 10200 HUNTINGTON PL DR, HOUSTON
👥
521 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,230 Per Student
A Very Good

SUGAR GROVE ACADEMY

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 8405 BONHOMME, HOUSTON
👥
800 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,515 Per Student
A Very Good

ALEXANDER EL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 8500 BROOKWULF, HOUSTON
👥
693 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,230 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
C
Jay's Technical Institute
26 students · 1.3 mi
D
Trend Barber College
11 students · 1.5 mi
D
Ocean Corporation
195 students · 1.6 mi
C
North American University
923 students · 2.6 mi
D
Texas Barber College
588 students · 2.6 mi
C
Ogle School Hair Skin Nails-Stafford
516 students · 2.9 mi
B
Houston International College Cardiotech Ultrasound School
41 students · 3.2 mi
C
Houston Christian University
4,189 students · 3.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Houston, TX a good investment right now?

Houston, TX registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $256K and average rents around $1,705/mo. That combination puts it in the solid tier for investor interest.

How strong are rents in Houston, TX?

Houston, TX rentals go for roughly $1,705/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $256K acquisition costs.

How should investors approach Houston, TX?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Houston, TX. The numbers - $256K homes against $1,705/mo rents - support that play.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Houston, TX?

The landlord environment in Houston, TX is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What are vacancy rates like in Houston, TX?

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

You know 77031 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 77031 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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