Real Estate Investing in Surprise, Arizona (85378)

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

Maricopa County • Population: 9,401 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 85378 (Surprise, AZ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

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

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 17.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Surprise, AZ (85378)?

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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 $333,079
Avg Monthly Rent $1,764
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,102
% Renters 38.4%

Market Analysis: 85378 Surprise

ZIP 85378 in Surprise, AZ carries a healthy set of headwinds. Home values near $333K and rents of $1,764/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $333K asset, 85378 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 85378 among AZ's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 85378 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Surprise:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,764/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
64 days
Average time to sell
Slow
11.6%
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 85378

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+6.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$93,481/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $336,615 $1,630 3.5% +5.8% $168,308
3BR $341,819 $2,170 4.6% +6.8% $113,940
4BR $373,923 $2,410 4.6% +6.9% $93,481

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$402K$335K$268K$200K$133K$65KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,005$1,932$1,859$1,786$1,713$1,640Mar 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 85378 Compare?

Metric 85378 Surprise Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Arizona
Home Value $333,079 $408,276 N/A $419,643
5-Year CAGR 2.5% 1.9% N/A 6.5%
Avg Rent $1,764 $1,963 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 3.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 85378? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 38% 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 85378 (Surprise, AZ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Maricopa County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Active Renter Property Management offers rental property management services in Phoenix, Arizona, including a 6-month tenant guarantee. summary from their website

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Arête Realty and Property Management, LLC offers property management services and real estate expertise in Glendale, Avondale, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Sun City, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and Peori summary from their website

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Arizona Community Management Services offers a comprehensive suite of services for Association leaders, including board training, financial management, and covenants enforcement, with decades of exper summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.5%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $333,079
Monthly Rent $1,764
Price-to-Rent 15.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 6.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.6% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -5.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
17.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 85378

Population: 9,401

💰 Median Household Income
$63,102
This area
$63,102
State
$66,355
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.4%
This area
38.4%
State
28.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-23.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
-1.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.5 years
This area
41.5 years
State
11.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.7%
This area
17.7%
State
19.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 68.1%
Other/Mixed 25.7%
Hispanic/Latino 22.1%
Black/African American 6.0%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.4%
This area
13.4%
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 85378

Nearby Schools (2 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

C+ Average

Peoria Traditional School

📚 K – 08 School Limited Data
📍 10851 W WILLIAMS RD, SUN CITY
👥
375 Students
💰
$10,264 Per Student
C+ Average

Zuni Hills Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 10851 W WILLIAMS RD, SUN CITY
👥
841 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$10,264 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 6,553 Off-Campus Students
D
Ottawa University-Surprise
836 students · 2.9 mi
D
Kor Beauty Academy
64 students · 5.7 mi
C
Western Maricopa Education Center
220 students · 7.5 mi
C+
Midwestern University-Glendale
3,794 students · 8.0 mi
D
Arizona Christian University
1,233 students · 8.1 mi
C
Glendale Community College
13,480 students · 8.9 mi
D
Arizona College-Glendale
306 students · 10.9 mi
C
Estrella Mountain Community College
10,069 students · 11.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 6,553 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Surprise, AZ rate as a rental market?

Our data puts Surprise, AZ at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $333K and rents around $1,764/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

How deep is the rental pool in Surprise, AZ?

Working renters make up the core of the Surprise, AZ tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What strategy should investors use in Surprise, AZ?

In Surprise, AZ the notable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $333K prices and $1,764/mo rents suits that approach.

Are there empty rentals in Surprise, AZ?

Vacancy risk in Surprise, AZ is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is Surprise, AZ suited for a house hack?

House hacking works a challenging in Surprise, AZ. Rents of $1,764/mo against $333K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 85378 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 85378 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 85378 ranks in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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