Real Estate Investing in Plains, Texas (79355)

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

Yoakum County • Population: 1,642 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 79355 (Plains, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 16.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -2.0% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

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

What’s happening in Plains, TX (79355)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $186,049
Avg Monthly Rent $945
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $79,340
% Renters 47.8%

Market Analysis: 79355 Plains

The 79355 ZIP in Plains, TX is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $186K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 79355 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Plains have seen price recovery that 79355 has not matched. Yoakum County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 79355 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

New investors are better served looking at Plains's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 79355. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Plains:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $945/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$219K$207K$194K$182K$170K$158KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 79355 Compare?

Metric 79355 Plains Texas
Home Value $186,049 $186,049 $297,000
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $945 $945 -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 79355? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 48% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 79355 (Plains, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 79355 (Plains, TX)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.0%
Low
5yr Growth
-2.0%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $186,049
Monthly Rent $945
Price-to-Rent 16.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.1%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 2.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR -1.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR -2.0% ▼
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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.

Vacancy
16.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-2.0%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 79355

Population: 1,642

💰 Median Household Income
$79,340
This area
$79,340
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
47.8%
This area
47.8%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.6%
This area
5.6%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.9%
This area
14.9%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.1 years
This area
34.1 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.8%
This area
16.8%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.1%
Other/Mixed 30.4%
Hispanic/Latino 23.4%
Asian 2.5%
👶 Under 18
31.5%
This area
31.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.3%
This area
12.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
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 79355

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
9.0:1 Avg Class Size
$31,490 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

PLAINS EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
193 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$31,490 Per Student
A+ Excellent

PLAINS H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
134 Students
👨‍🏫
7.2:1 Class Size
💰
$31,490 Per Student
A Very Good

PLAINS MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
94 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$31,490 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

What is the median home value in Plains, TX?

Expect median prices around $186K in Plains, TX. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

How strong is the working-renter base in Plains, TX?

The renter base in Plains, TX is reasonable for the $945/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

Is Plains, TX a smart market for rental property?

The 2.0/5 investability rating in Plains, TX reflects its $186K prices and $945/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within TX.

What are rental rates like in Plains, TX?

Rental rates in Plains, TX average $945/mo. Tenant demand and $186K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Is house hacking profitable in Plains, TX?

House hacking in Plains, TX is reasonable to execute. Prices around $186K and rents of $945/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

You know 79355 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 79355 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.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 79355 (Plains)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 79355 (Plains, TX).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.