Real Estate Investing in San Antonio, Texas (78242)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 78242 (San Antonio, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.7% CAGR).
- Elevated poverty: 24.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Higher unemployment: 7.4% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
What’s happening in San Antonio, TX (78242)?
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Market Analysis: 78242 San Antonio
Investors eyeing 78242 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $155K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The investment case in 78242 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $155K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Nearby ZIPs in San Antonio have seen price recovery that 78242 has not matched. Bexar County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
A notable renter share of 48% in 78242 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
The 78242 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in San Antonio:
Property Strategy for 78242
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $111,006 | $1,300 | 8.4% | +1.2% | $55,503 |
| 3BR | $148,276 | $1,670 | 8.1% | +2.6% | $49,425 |
| 4BR | $186,117 | $1,940 | 7.5% | +3.7% | $46,529 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 78242 Compare?
| Metric | 78242 | San Antonio | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $155,058 | $279,541 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 0.7% | 1.3% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,329 | $1,452 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 6.7% | 4.8% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78242 (San Antonio, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Bexar County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Forefront Property Management offers residential, multi-family, and commercial property management services in San Antonio, aiming to simplify property ownership. summary from their website
Hill Country Homeowners Association Management specializes in personalized financial and administrative management services for homeowner's associations in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. summary from their website
PMI San Antonio offers residential and commercial property management services in San Antonio, including marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, and financial reporting. 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 | $155,058 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,329 |
| Price-to-Rent | 9.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 10.3% |
| Cap Rate | 6.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -2.6% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +0.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +4.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.7%). 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 78242
Population: 35,976
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 78242
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 3,555 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is vacancy risk in San Antonio, TX?
Vacancy risk in San Antonio, TX is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.
How deep is the rental pool in San Antonio, TX?
The tenant pool in San Antonio, TX is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,329/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
What is the smart move for investors in San Antonio, TX?
In San Antonio, TX the sturdy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $155K prices and $1,329/mo rents suits that approach.
How viable is house hacking in San Antonio, TX?
House hacking in San Antonio, TX is a challenging. With home values around $155K and rents at $1,329/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
Where do home prices stand in San Antonio, TX?
San Antonio, TX home values average about $155K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,329/mo in monthly income.
You know 78242 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78242 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 78242 ranks in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
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