Real Estate Investing in Harlingen, Texas (78552)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 78552 (Harlingen, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 15.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Harlingen, TX (78552)?
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Market Analysis: 78552 Harlingen
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Harlingen's 78552 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $226K pricing implies.
Rent of $1,347/mo on a $226K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 78552 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Within TX, ZIP 78552 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Cameron County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.
The demographic picture in 78552 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Harlingen averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
The 78552 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 Harlingen:
Property Strategy for 78552
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $158,860 | $1,190 | 5.4% | +9.5% | $79,430 |
| 3BR | $233,029 | $1,610 | 5.0% | +8.5% | $77,676 |
| 4BR | $342,013 | $1,680 | 3.5% | +7.3% | $85,503 |
| 5BR | $474,867 | — | — | +7.7% | $94,973 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 78552 Compare?
| Metric | 78552 | Harlingen | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $226,143 | $203,039 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.1% | 4.2% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,347 | $1,200 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.7% | 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 78552 (Harlingen, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $226,143 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,347 |
| Price-to-Rent | 14.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 7.2% |
| Cap Rate | 4.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +6.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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 78552
Population: 41,277
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 78552
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Harlingen, TX stack up for property investment?
Harlingen, TX rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $226K and rents near $1,347/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
Do landlords face vacancy issues in Harlingen, TX?
Vacancy in Harlingen, TX is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,347/mo.
Where do rents currently stand in Harlingen, TX?
Rents in Harlingen, TX run near $1,347/mo. Compared with median home prices of $226K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.
Are landlord laws favorable in Harlingen, TX?
TX ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Harlingen generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
Which investment style suits Harlingen, TX?
For Harlingen, TX, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
You know 78552 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 78552 ranks in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
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