Real Estate Investing in Elsa, Texas (78543)

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

Hidalgo County • Population: 8,608 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78543 (Elsa, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GREAT FIT
Grade A (95/100)

Strong fundamentals — affordable, appreciating, and stable. A confident pick for primary residence.

📈 For Investors
GOOD
4.0 / 5 (66/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Elsa, TX (78543)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $124,997
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,624
% Renters 24.0%

Market Analysis: 78543 Elsa

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Elsa's 78543 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $125K pricing implies.

Rent of $873/mo on a $125K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 78543 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within TX, ZIP 78543 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Hidalgo County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 78543 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The 78543 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.

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 Elsa:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
❄️
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 78543

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+13.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$41,211/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $82,422 $970 8.5% +13.8% $41,211
3BR $129,161 $1,260 7.0% +12.1% $43,054
4BR $194,631 $1,400 5.2% +8.8% $48,658

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$138K$117K$96K$74K$53K$32KJan 2007Oct 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78543 Compare?

Metric 78543 Elsa McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Texas
Home Value $124,997 $124,997 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 10.2% 10.2% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.5% 5.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 78543? Click to expand

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

📊 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 78543 (Elsa, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
5.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+10.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $124,997
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 11.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.4%
Cap Rate 5.5%
5-Year IRR 15.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +10.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +10.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.5%). 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
6.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+10.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78543

Population: 8,608

💰 Median Household Income
$46,624
This area
$46,624
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.0%
This area
24.0%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.6%
This area
7.6%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.0 years
This area
36.0 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 53.5%
Hispanic/Latino 46.5%
Other/Mixed 46.4%
👶 Under 18
26.3%
This area
26.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.2%
This area
17.2%
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 78543

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
14.0:1 Avg Class Size
$13,092 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

CARLOS TRUAN J H

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
593 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,317 Per Student
B+ Above Average

KENNEDY EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
363 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,317 Per Student
B+ Above Average

L B J EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
460 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,317 Per Student
B Good

EDCOUCH-ELSA H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,329 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,317 Per Student
B Good

IDEA ELSA COLLEGE PREPARATORY

📚 06 – 11 High School Charter
👥
632 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,965 Per Student
C+ Average

EDCOUCH-ELSA H S ACADEMY

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
39 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,317 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 478 Off-Campus Students
C
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-Weslaco
263 students · 8.6 mi
C
Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies
180 students · 9.9 mi
B
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
31,931 students · 10.4 mi
C
Rio Grande Valley College
883 students · 11.5 mi
C
Advanced Barber College and Hair Design
150 students · 12.1 mi
C
South Texas Training Center
276 students · 12.4 mi
C
UCAS University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences-McAllen
92 students · 13.3 mi
D
Southern Careers Institute-Pharr
629 students · 13.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Median home price in Elsa, TX is near $125K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Are tenants stable in Elsa, TX?

The renter base in Elsa, TX is reasonable for the $873/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.

Are rents high in Elsa, TX?

The typical rental in Elsa, TX commands about $873/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $125K purchase basis.

What are vacancy rates like in Elsa, TX?

Rental vacancy in Elsa, TX is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What is it like being a landlord in Elsa, TX?

Rental owners in Elsa, TX deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

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How 78543 ranks in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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