Real Estate Investing in Runge, Texas (78151)

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

Karnes County • Population: 1,513 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78151 (Runge, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (43/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 27.6% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $38,225 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Runge, TX (78151)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $170,963
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $38,225
% Renters 45.0%

Market Analysis: 78151 Runge

ZIP 78151 in Runge, TX carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $171K and rents of $918/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $171K asset, 78151 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Runge have seen price recovery that 78151 has not matched. Karnes County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 78151 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.

New investors are better served looking at Runge's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 78151. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Runge:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$255K$235K$214K$193K$173K$152KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78151 Compare?

Metric 78151 Runge Texas
Home Value $170,963 $170,963 $297,000
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $918 $918 -
Cap Rate 4.2% 4.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 78151? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 45% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78151 (Runge, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.2%
Fair

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $170,963
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 15.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.2%
5-Year IRR N/A

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR -6.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 4.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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
17.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78151

Population: 1,513

💰 Median Household Income
$38,225
This area
$38,225
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
45.0%
This area
45.0%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.0%
This area
21.0%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
30.7 years
This area
30.7 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.0%
This area
17.0%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.3%
Other/Mixed 29.9%
Hispanic/Latino 28.6%
Black/African American 2.9%
👶 Under 18
28.8%
This area
28.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
27.6%
This area
27.6%
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 78151

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
9.6:1 Avg Class Size
$18,512 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

RUNGE EL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
114 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,512 Per Student
A Very Good

RUNGE H S

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
81 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,512 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

How do experienced investors play Runge, TX?

Runge, TX investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($171K prices, $918/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

How much rent can I charge in Runge, TX?

Average rent in Runge, TX is approximately $918/mo per month. Against $171K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Runge, TX?

House hacking in Runge, TX is reasonable to execute. Prices around $171K and rents of $918/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How tight is the rental market in Runge, TX?

Runge, TX sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader TX rental market.

What is the average home sale price in Runge, TX?

Runge, TX home values average about $171K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $918/mo in monthly income.

You know 78151 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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