Real Estate Investing in Karnes City, Texas (78118)

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

Karnes County • Population: 4,097 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78118 (Karnes City, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (39/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 27.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -4.0% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Karnes City, TX (78118)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $198,534
Avg Monthly Rent $963
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,577
% Renters 21.9%

Market Analysis: 78118 Karnes City

ZIP 78118 in Karnes City, TX carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $199K and rents of $963/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 78118 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Regionally, 78118 sits on the difficult end of the TX spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The 78118 ZIP's population of 4,097 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategically, 78118 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 Karnes City:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 50/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $963/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$257K$241K$224K$207K$191K$174KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78118 Compare?

Metric 78118 Karnes City Texas
Home Value $198,534 $198,534 $297,000
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $963 $963 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78118 (Karnes City, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
-4.0%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $198,534
Monthly Rent $963
Price-to-Rent 17.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR N/A

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR -3.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -4.0% ▼
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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.

Vacancy
27.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-4.0%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78118

Population: 4,097

💰 Median Household Income
$61,577
This area
$61,577
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.9%
This area
21.9%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.3 years
This area
39.3 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.0%
This area
27.0%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 62.8%
Other/Mixed 31.6%
Hispanic/Latino 28.6%
Black/African American 5.6%
👶 Under 18
16.9%
This area
16.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.5%
This area
13.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.3%
This area
9.3%
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 78118

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
11.6:1 Avg Class Size
$42,981 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

KARNES CITY H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
310 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$42,981 Per Student
A+ Excellent

KARNES CITY J H

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
230 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$42,981 Per Student
A+ Excellent

ROGER E SIDES EL

📚 02 – 05 Elementary
👥
289 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$42,981 Per Student
A Very Good

KARNES CITY PRI

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
196 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$42,981 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in Karnes City, TX?

Occupancy in Karnes City, TX runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $963/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How do home values compare in Karnes City, TX?

In Karnes City, TX the median home value sits at $199K. Against the broader TX market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How strong is Karnes City, TX for real estate investors?

Karnes City, TX rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $199K and rents near $963/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How should investors approach Karnes City, TX?

In Karnes City, TX the resilient play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $199K prices and $963/mo rents suits that approach.

What is the average monthly rent in Karnes City, TX?

Expect rents around $963/mo per month in Karnes City, TX. With home values at $199K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 78118 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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