Real Estate Investing in Crystal City, Texas (78839)

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

Zavala County • Population: 7,333 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 78839 (Crystal City, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (81/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Crystal City, TX (78839)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $92,232
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $57,083
% Renters 28.4%

Market Analysis: 78839 Crystal City

The 78839 ZIP covers a section of Crystal City that demands careful diligence. Prices near $92K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 78839 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within TX, ZIP 78839 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Zavala County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and significant enough to shape underwriting.

Resident income in 78839 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 78839 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.

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 Crystal City:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+26.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 78839

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
11.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$29,284/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $61,747 $970 11.3% +3.9% $30,874
3BR $87,853 $1,350 11.1% +7.4% $29,284

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$99K$90K$81K$72K$63K$55KJan 2015Oct 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 78839 Compare?

Metric 78839 Crystal City Texas
Home Value $92,232 $92,232 $297,000
5-Year CAGR 4.8% 4.8% 5.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 7.4% 7.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 78839? 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 78839 (Crystal City, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.4%
Good
5yr Growth
+4.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $92,232
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 8.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.4%
Cap Rate 7.4%
5-Year IRR 12.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +26.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.4%). 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.

Vacancy
11.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 78839

Population: 7,333

💰 Median Household Income
$57,083
This area
$57,083
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.4%
This area
28.4%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.8 years
This area
33.8 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.8%
This area
11.8%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 58.2%
Hispanic/Latino 41.2%
Other/Mixed 41.2%
Asian 0.4%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
28.6%
This area
28.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.9%
This area
16.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
19.0%
This area
19.0%
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 78839

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
15.5:1 Avg Class Size
$14,636 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

STERLING H FLY JR H S

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
366 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,636 Per Student
A Very Good

ZAVALA EL

📚 01 – 03 Elementary
👥
307 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,636 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CRYSTAL CITY H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
521 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,636 Per Student
B+ Above Average

BENITO JUAREZ EL

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
268 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,636 Per Student
B Good

DR TOMAS RIVERA EL

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,636 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do home prices stand in Crystal City, TX?

Crystal City, TX home values average about $92K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $873/mo in monthly income.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Crystal City, TX?

Vacancy risk in Crystal City, TX is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

What kind of tenants rent in Crystal City, TX?

Tenant quality in Crystal City, TX ranks as solid. Landlords generally report steady occupancy at market rents of $873/mo.

How should investors approach Crystal City, TX?

In Crystal City, TX the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $92K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

Are landlord laws favorable in Crystal City, TX?

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

You know 78839 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78839 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.

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