Best Places to Buy Rental Property in Texas (2026)
We ranked all 100 Texas counties that have both a median home price and a median rent, ordered by the cap rate a median-priced rental would produce. Kleberg County leads at 7.5%, with a median price of $149,161.
Texas counties ranked by cap rate
| # | Market | Cap rate | Median price | Median rent | Cash flow | Analyze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kleberg County, TX | 7.5% | $149,161 | $1,426 | $145 | Run numbers |
| 2 | Polk County, TX | 7.2% | $177,952 | $1,643 | $135 | Run numbers |
| 3 | Taylor County, TX | 6.9% | $227,401 | $2,011 | $115 | Run numbers |
| 4 | Howard County, TX | 6.4% | $150,014 | $1,233 | $15 | Run numbers |
| 5 | Hale County, TX | 6.1% | $121,849 | $947 | -$23 | Run numbers |
| 6 | Wichita County, TX | 5.9% | $171,666 | $1,297 | -$57 | Run numbers |
| 7 | Titus County, TX | 5.8% | $227,637 | $1,685 | -$98 | Run numbers |
| 8 | Jefferson County, TX | 5.8% | $177,853 | $1,310 | -$81 | Run numbers |
| 9 | Hardin County, TX | 5.7% | $233,066 | $1,703 | -$115 | Run numbers |
| 10 | Hutchinson County, TX | 5.7% | $125,678 | $913 | -$66 | Run numbers |
| 11 | San Patricio County, TX | 5.5% | $209,869 | $1,467 | -$147 | Run numbers |
| 12 | Cameron County, TX | 5.4% | $207,321 | $1,447 | -$146 | Run numbers |
| 13 | Potter County, TX | 5.4% | $152,522 | $1,060 | -$111 | Run numbers |
| 14 | Angelina County, TX | 5.4% | $196,692 | $1,362 | -$146 | Run numbers |
| 15 | Val Verde County, TX | 5.2% | $208,546 | $1,395 | -$186 | Run numbers |
| 16 | Liberty County, TX | 5.2% | $234,145 | $1,556 | -$216 | Run numbers |
| 17 | Bowie County, TX | 5.2% | $195,599 | $1,295 | -$183 | Run numbers |
| 18 | El Paso County, TX | 5.1% | $233,326 | $1,534 | -$226 | Run numbers |
| 19 | Orange County, TX | 5.0% | $189,595 | $1,228 | -$196 | Run numbers |
| 20 | Lubbock County, TX | 5.0% | $215,597 | $1,384 | -$231 | Run numbers |
| 21 | Atascosa County, TX | 5.0% | $246,992 | $1,584 | -$265 | Run numbers |
| 22 | Waller County, TX | 4.9% | $364,635 | $2,310 | -$410 | Run numbers |
| 23 | Kaufman County, TX | 4.9% | $298,854 | $1,880 | -$345 | Run numbers |
| 24 | Burleson County, TX | 4.9% | $271,930 | $1,714 | -$312 | Run numbers |
| 25 | Nueces County, TX | 4.9% | $228,249 | $1,427 | -$269 | Run numbers |
| 26 | Cherokee County, TX | 4.8% | $227,338 | $1,414 | -$273 | Run numbers |
| 27 | Ector County, TX | 4.7% | $255,564 | $1,551 | -$332 | Run numbers |
| 28 | Harrison County, TX | 4.7% | $212,705 | $1,278 | -$285 | Run numbers |
| 29 | Chambers County, TX | 4.7% | $351,582 | $2,113 | -$470 | Run numbers |
| 30 | Rusk County, TX | 4.7% | $213,104 | $1,275 | -$288 | Run numbers |
| 31 | Webb County, TX | 4.7% | $218,946 | $1,305 | -$299 | Run numbers |
| 32 | Lamar County, TX | 4.6% | $205,946 | $1,218 | -$288 | Run numbers |
| 33 | Hidalgo County, TX | 4.5% | $191,513 | $1,118 | -$277 | Run numbers |
| 34 | Anderson County, TX | 4.5% | $219,538 | $1,279 | -$320 | Run numbers |
| 35 | Tom Green County, TX | 4.5% | $231,703 | $1,335 | -$347 | Run numbers |
| 36 | Harris County, TX | 4.5% | $280,978 | $1,601 | -$432 | Run numbers |
| 37 | Guadalupe County, TX | 4.5% | $299,121 | $1,708 | -$458 | Run numbers |
| 38 | Navarro County, TX | 4.4% | $232,932 | $1,327 | -$358 | Run numbers |
| 39 | Hunt County, TX | 4.4% | $275,809 | $1,547 | -$440 | Run numbers |
| 40 | Caldwell County, TX | 4.3% | $284,198 | $1,585 | -$460 | Run numbers |
| 41 | Limestone County, TX | 4.3% | $178,567 | $983 | -$297 | Run numbers |
| 42 | Bexar County, TX | 4.3% | $256,204 | $1,401 | -$432 | Run numbers |
| 43 | McLennan County, TX | 4.3% | $263,020 | $1,439 | -$443 | Run numbers |
| 44 | Wharton County, TX | 4.3% | $248,277 | $1,356 | -$420 | Run numbers |
| 45 | Randall County, TX | 4.2% | $263,738 | $1,432 | -$452 | Run numbers |
| 46 | Maverick County, TX | 4.2% | $222,286 | $1,206 | -$381 | Run numbers |
| 47 | Brazoria County, TX | 4.2% | $326,748 | $1,766 | -$565 | Run numbers |
| 48 | Victoria County, TX | 4.2% | $220,051 | $1,189 | -$381 | Run numbers |
| 49 | Coryell County, TX | 4.2% | $227,208 | $1,227 | -$393 | Run numbers |
| 50 | Bell County, TX | 4.2% | $251,808 | $1,344 | -$447 | Run numbers |
Showing the top 50 of 100 ranked counties.
Looking for every county in the state, including those without rent data? Browse the full Texas market directory.
How this ranking is calculated
We scored 100 counties in Texas and ranked them by capitalization rate, calculated as annual net operating income divided by median home price. Markets without both a median home price and a median rent are excluded, because cash flow cannot be estimated without both.
Every figure assumes a median-priced home rented at the local median rent, financed with 20 percent down on a 30-year loan at 6.85%, with closing costs at 3 percent of price and operating costs at 35 percent of rent. Operating costs cover taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and management.
These are modeled estimates for comparing markets, not quotes on a specific property. A real deal turns on the individual property, its condition, and the actual rent it can command. Run any market that interests you through the calculator with real numbers before you make an offer.
National rankings
Compare Texas against the rest of the country.
Best Cash Flow Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated monthly cash flow on a median-priced rental, after mortgage and operating costs.
Highest Cap Rate Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental, using local median rent and a 35 percent operating cost assumption.
Best Rental Markets Under $200,000
US counties with a median home price under $200,000, ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental.
Cheapest Markets With Positive Cash Flow
The lowest-priced US counties where a median-priced rental still covers its mortgage and operating costs.
Best Appreciation Markets for Real Estate Investors
US counties ranked by appreciation score, blending recent home price growth with the risk of an overheated market.
Best Overall Real Estate Markets to Invest In
US counties ranked by overall investment score, blending cash flow, appreciation, stability, and affordability.
Other states
States with fewer than 5 counties reporting both price and rent are omitted, because a ranking that short would not be meaningful.
Run the numbers on a Texas property
Start from Kleberg County median values and replace them with a real listing price and rent to see whether the deal actually works.