Real Estate Investing in Hidalgo, Texas (78557)

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

Hidalgo County • Population: 14,250 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78557 (Hidalgo, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated poverty: 26.9% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

What’s happening in Hidalgo, TX (78557)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $189,362
Avg Monthly Rent $995
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $45,919
% Renters 24.4%

Market Analysis: 78557 Hidalgo

On balance, ZIP 78557 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $189K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 78557 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $189K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader TX picture, 78557 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Who lives in 78557 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Hidalgo:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $995/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
132 days
Average time to sell
Slow
4.8%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 78557

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$55,578/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $111,157 $980 6.3% +9.3% $55,578
3BR $185,557 $1,270 4.9% +7.9% $61,852
4BR $247,133 $1,410 4.1% +7.1% $61,783

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$203K$176K$150K$123K$97K$71KJan 2007Oct 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 78557 Compare?

Metric 78557 Hidalgo McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Texas
Home Value $189,362 $189,362 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $995 $995 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 78557? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78557 (Hidalgo, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $189,362
Monthly Rent $995
Price-to-Rent 15.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 9.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
7.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78557

Population: 14,250

💰 Median Household Income
$45,919
This area
$45,919
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.4%
This area
24.4%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.1%
This area
21.1%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
28.8 years
This area
28.8 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino 72.1%
Other/Mixed 72.1%
White 27.8%
👶 Under 18
30.7%
This area
30.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.9%
This area
11.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
26.9%
This area
26.9%
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 78557

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$15,152 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

DIAZ J H

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
579 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,150 Per Student
B+ Above Average

DR ALEJO SALINAS JR EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,150 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HIDALGO EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
438 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,150 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HIDALGO EARLY COLLEGE H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,074 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,150 Per Student
B+ Above Average

VALLEY VIEW EL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
426 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,821 Per Student
B+ Above Average

VALLEY VIEW SOUTH EL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
368 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,821 Per Student
B Good

VALLEY VIEW H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,320 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,821 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,538 Off-Campus Students
C
Miller-Motte College-STVT-McAllen
496 students · 5.6 mi
C
MCI
117 students · 6.6 mi
C+
South Texas College
26,440 students · 7.5 mi
D
Southern Careers Institute-Pharr
629 students · 7.8 mi
C
Mission Beauty Institute
34 students · 8.2 mi
C
South Texas Training Center
276 students · 8.5 mi
D
Southern Texas Careers Academy
93 students · 8.6 mi
C
Vogue College of Cosmetology-McAllen
336 students · 8.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,538 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do home values compare in Hidalgo, TX?

In Hidalgo, TX the median home value sits at $189K. Against the broader TX market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

What do landlords charge for rent in Hidalgo, TX?

Rent in Hidalgo, TX is around $995/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $189K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What is the renter demographic in Hidalgo, TX?

Tenant quality in Hidalgo, TX ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $995/mo.

How should investors approach Hidalgo, TX?

Most investors in Hidalgo, TX run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Hidalgo, TX?

Hidalgo, TX carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $995/mo.

You know 78557 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 78557 ranks in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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