Is Howard County, TX good for real estate investing?

Howard County has an investment score of 64/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #340 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Howard?

The rent-to-price ratio in Howard County is 9.54% annually, which ranks in the 98th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Howard?

The median home price in Howard County is $135,806. This ranks #52 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Howard?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Howard County would generate negative cash flow of $11/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Howard County

TexasPopulation: 34,488

/100

Buy

#340 of 1,000 counties

#48 in Texas (243 counties)

Market Snapshot

$135,806

Median Home Price

50% below national median

$1,079/mo

Median Rent

28% below national median

9.54%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 2% nationally

-$11

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$135,806

Down Payment (20%)$27,161

Loan Amount$108,645

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,079

Monthly P&I-$712

Est. Expenses (35%)-$378

Net Cash Flow-$11/mo

6.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-0.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

9.54%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 6.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

64/100

Cash Flow(30%)

95/100

Based on 9.54% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

12/100

Based on -6.7% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

100/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.0x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (9.54%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Declining home values (-6.7% YoY)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 6.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

34,488

Median Income

$67,243

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

2.0x

Very affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
MidlandTX	66	$324,570	$1,578	5.83%	Buy	View
LibertyTX	66	$234,907	$1,538	7.85%	Buy	View
RandallTX	65	$251,075	$1,503	7.18%	Buy	View
CurrentHowardTX	64	$135,806	$1,079	9.54%	Buy
LubbockTX	63	$208,879	$1,308	7.51%	Buy	View
AngelinaTX	63	$196,890	$1,134	6.91%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyHoward offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Howard County in Texas scores 64/100, ranking #340 of 1,000 US counties (top 34%). The 9.54% rent-to-price ratio exceeds the 1% rule target, suggesting strong cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-11/mo

Cap Rate

6.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-0.4%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Howard?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$135,806

Down Payment (20%)$27,161

Loan Amount$108,645

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,079

Monthly P&I-$712

Est. Expenses (35%)-$378

Net Cash Flow-$11/mo

6.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-0.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

9.54%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 6.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

64/100

Cash Flow(30%)

95/100

Based on 9.54% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

12/100

Based on -6.7% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

100/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.0x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

MidlandTX

$324,570

$1,578

5.83%

Buy

View

LibertyTX

$234,907

$1,538

7.85%

Buy

View

RandallTX

$251,075

$1,503

7.18%

Buy

View

CurrentHowardTX

$135,806

$1,079

9.54%

Buy

LubbockTX

$208,879

$1,308

7.51%

Buy

View

AngelinaTX

$196,890

$1,134

6.91%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

BuyHoward offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Howard County in Texas scores 64/100, ranking #340 of 1,000 US counties (top 34%). The 9.54% rent-to-price ratio exceeds the 1% rule target, suggesting strong cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-11/mo

Cap Rate

6.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-0.4%