Real Estate Investing in Alton, Texas (78573)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 78573 (Alton, 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.
- Elevated vacancy: 9.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Elevated poverty: 22.3% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
What’s happening in Alton, TX (78573)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 78573 Alton
ZIP 78573 in Alton, TX carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $213K and rents of $1,090/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 78573 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
The gap between 78573 and stronger Alton ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
A notable renter share of 30% in 78573 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 78573 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Alton:
Property Strategy for 78573
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $108,572 | $800 | 5.3% | +9.2% | $108,572 |
| 2BR | $117,678 | $1,000 | 6.1% | +9.1% | $58,839 |
| 3BR | $199,917 | $1,300 | 4.7% | +8.0% | $66,639 |
| 4BR | $319,526 | $1,440 | 3.2% | +6.8% | $79,882 |
| 5BR | $554,743 | — | — | +7.3% | $110,949 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 78573 Compare?
| Metric | 78573 | Alton | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $212,966 | $212,966 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.6% | 5.6% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,090 | $1,090 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% | 4.0% | - | - |
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 78573 (Alton, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $212,966 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,090 |
| Price-to-Rent | 16.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.1% |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -1.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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 78573
Population: 42,874
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 78573
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 3,016 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of tenants rent in Alton, TX?
Tenant quality in Alton, TX ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $1,090/mo.
Does Alton, TX make sense for an investment property?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Alton, TX reflects its $213K prices and $1,090/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within TX.
How expensive is real estate in Alton, TX?
The median home value in Alton, TX is roughly $213K. That puts it reasonable relative to the TX statewide average.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Alton, TX?
For house hackers, Alton, TX is a challenging. The $1,090/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $213K property.
Is Alton, TX good for landlords?
Alton, TX falls under TX landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
You know 78573 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78573 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 78573 ranks in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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