Real Estate Investing in Odessa, Texas (79761)

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

Ector County • Population: 30,243 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 79761 (Odessa, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

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

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: 8.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Odessa, TX (79761)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $211,410
Avg Monthly Rent $1,154
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,593
% Renters 43.3%

Market Analysis: 79761 Odessa

The 79761 ZIP in Odessa, TX is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $211K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Put differently, the numbers look inviting — $211K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 79761 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In the broader TX picture, 79761 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 79761 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The 79761 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 Odessa:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,154/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Odessa, TX Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
11.4%
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 Odessa, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 79761

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+3.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$74,986/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $241,491 $1,870 5.6% +3.2% $80,497
4BR $299,946 $2,160 5.2% +2.6% $74,986

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$224K$194K$163K$132K$102K$71KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,413$1,305$1,198$1,090$983$875Jul 2021Jan 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 79761 Compare?

Metric 79761 Odessa Odessa, TX Texas
Home Value $211,410 $169,882 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.2% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,154 $1,498 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.3% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 79761? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 43% 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 79761 (Odessa, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Odessa, TX metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $211,410
Monthly Rent $1,154
Price-to-Rent 15.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 7.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -11.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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
8.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 79761

Population: 30,243

💰 Median Household Income
$66,593
This area
$66,593
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
43.3%
This area
43.3%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.7%
This area
13.7%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
29.5 years
This area
29.5 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 54.2%
Other/Mixed 36.6%
Hispanic/Latino 34.8%
Black/African American 8.0%
Asian 1.2%
👶 Under 18
29.8%
This area
29.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.7%
This area
10.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
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 79761

B Avg School Grade
14 Schools
18.7:1 Avg Class Size
$11,526 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

GEORGE H W BUSH NEW TECH ODESSA

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
448 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B+ Above Average

BONHAM MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
870 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B+ Above Average

BOWIE MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
872 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

EL MAGNET AT MILAM EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
605 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

GONZALES EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
477 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

EL MAGNET AT TRAVIS

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
292 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

AUSTIN MONTESSORI MAGNET

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
553 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

CARVER EARLY EE-KG

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
357 Students
👨‍🏫
21.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

DOWLING EL

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
594 Students
👨‍🏫
20.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

EL MAGNET AT BLACKSHEAR

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
693 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

EL MAGNET AT HAYS

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
497 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
B Good

EL MAGNET AT REAGAN EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
662 Students
👨‍🏫
20.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
C Below Average

LAMAR EARLY EE-KG

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
436 Students
👨‍🏫
32.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,870 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

PREMIER H S ODESSA

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
61 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$7,056 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

2 Nearby 4,112 Off-Campus Students
C+
Odessa College
8,708 students · 2.2 mi
C+
The University of Texas Permian Basin
5,899 students · 2.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 4,112 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rentals sit vacant long in Odessa, TX?

Occupancy in Odessa, TX runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,154/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What is the median home value in Odessa, TX?

Odessa, TX home values average about $211K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,154/mo in monthly income.

How much is rent in Odessa, TX?

Average rent in Odessa, TX is approximately $1,154/mo per month. Against $211K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

How strict are landlord regulations in Odessa, TX?

For rental operators, Odessa, TX rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Should investors consider Odessa, TX?

Yes - Odessa, TX a 3.0/5 investability score. With $211K home prices against $1,154/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

You know 79761 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 79761 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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How 79761 ranks in Odessa, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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