Real Estate Investing in Houston, Texas (77078)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 77078 (Houston, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- Elevated vacancy: 11.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Elevated poverty: 29.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Higher unemployment: 8.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
What’s happening in Houston, TX (77078)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 77078 Houston
The 77078 ZIP in Houston, TX is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $164K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
The 77078 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
ZIP 77078's metrics run below Harris County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Demographically, 77078 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.
The right play in 77078 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Houston:
Property Strategy for 77078
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $120,712 | $1,500 | 8.9% | +4.8% | $60,356 |
| 3BR | $164,019 | $2,020 | 8.9% | +4.2% | $54,673 |
| 4BR | $181,550 | $2,520 | 10.0% | +4.5% | $45,387 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 77078 Compare?
| Metric | 77078 | Houston | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $164,178 | $318,356 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.2% | 2.6% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,545 | $1,555 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 7.3% | 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 77078 (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 | $164,178 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,545 |
| Price-to-Rent | 8.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 11.3% |
| Cap Rate | 7.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -2.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -1.9% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.3%). 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 77078
Population: 14,705
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 77078
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
COOK JR EL
FOREST BROOK MIDDLE
KASHMERE H S
MCGOWEN EL
ELMORE 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 33,147 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What approach is best for Houston, TX real estate?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Houston, TX. The numbers - $164K homes against $1,545/mo rents - support that play.
Do rentals sit vacant long in Houston, TX?
Expect elevated vacancy in Houston, TX. Rents at $1,545/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.
Are rents high in Houston, TX?
Rents in Houston, TX run near $1,545/mo. Compared with median home prices of $164K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
Are tenants stable in Houston, TX?
Houston, TX draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,545/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
Is Houston, TX landlord-friendly?
TX ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Houston generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
You know 77078 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 77078 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 77078 ranks in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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