Is Polk County, TX good for real estate investing?

Polk County has an investment score of 69/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #169 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Polk County is 11.08% annually, which ranks in the 99th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Polk?

The median home price in Polk County is $177,952. This ranks #275 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Polk?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Polk County would generate positive cash flow of $135/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Polk County

TexasPopulation: 50,536

/100

Buy

#169 of 1,000 counties

#22 in Texas (243 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated September 7, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$177,952

Median Home Price

22% below national median

$1,643/mo

Median Rent

13% above national median

11.08%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 1% nationally

+$135

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,643/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$133,464	+$369/mo	9.6%	+14.4%
Median typical MLS deal	$177,952	+$135/mo	7.2%	+4.0%
125% of median newer / premium	$222,440	-$98/mo	5.8%	-2.3%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$177,952

Down Payment (20%)$35,590

Loan Amount$142,362

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,643

Monthly P&I-$933

Est. Expenses (35%)-$575

Net Cash Flow+$135/mo

7.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

4.0%

Cash-on-Cash Return

11.08%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

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

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Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

69/100

Cash Flow(30%)

100/100

Based on 11.08% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

33/100

Based on -3.3% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

92/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

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 (11.08%)
+Positive cash flow potential (+$135/mo)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Declining home values (-3.3% YoY)

Economic Indicators

Population

50,536

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+Cash-flow buyers: the deal pencils at typical financing
+First-time investors looking for lower-risk markets

Skip if

−You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
CurrentPolkTX	69	$177,952	$1,643	11.08%	Buy
WichitaTX	68	$163,787	$1,183	8.67%	Buy	View
CottleTX	68	$65,066	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
DonleyTX	68	$107,131	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
DawsonTX	68	$102,880	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
MatagordaTX	64	$210,399	$945	5.39%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyPolk offers solid investment potential with positive cash flow at typical financing.

Polk County in Texas scores 69/100, ranking #169 of 1,000 US counties (top 22%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental clears about $135/month in cash flow, backed by a 11.08% gross rent-to-price ratio.

Monthly Cash Flow

+$135/mo

Cap Rate

7.2%

Cash-on-Cash

4.0%