Real Estate Investing in Wharton, Texas (77488)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 77488 (Wharton, 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.
- High vacancy: 15.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Wharton, TX (77488)?
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Market Analysis: 77488 Wharton
ZIP 77488 in Wharton, TX carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $222K and rents of $1,375/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
For an experienced owner, 77488 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $222K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Statewide comparisons place 77488 among TX's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Resident income in 77488 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 77488 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Wharton:
Property Strategy for 77488
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $58,754 | $870 | 10.7% | — | $58,754 |
| 2BR | $109,132 | $1,140 | 7.5% | +4.1% | $54,566 |
| 3BR | $194,953 | $1,550 | 5.7% | +4.3% | $64,984 |
| 4BR | $277,192 | $1,780 | 4.6% | +4.6% | $69,298 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 77488 Compare?
| Metric | 77488 | Wharton | El Campo, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $222,038 | $201,113 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.8% | 2.8% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,375 | $1,192 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.8% | 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 77488 (Wharton, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $222,038 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,375 |
| Price-to-Rent | 13.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 7.4% |
| Cap Rate | 4.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +10.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.8%). 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.
Demographics in 77488
Population: 14,129
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 77488
Schools in This ZIP Code
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 1,148 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wharton, TX a good place for real estate investing?
Wharton, TX registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $222K and average rents around $1,375/mo. That combination puts it in the healthy tier for investor interest.
What is the rental occupancy rate in Wharton, TX?
Wharton, TX vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
How much do tenants pay in Wharton, TX?
Expect rents around $1,375/mo per month in Wharton, TX. With home values at $222K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
Can I house hack in Wharton, TX?
Wharton, TX offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,375/mo rent level.
What type of investing works in Wharton, TX?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Wharton, TX best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $222K price point.
You know 77488 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 77488 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 77488 ranks in El Campo, TX
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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