Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Bay City, TX
The median monthly rent in Bay City, TX is $860, translating to $10,320 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.43% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices.
Renters in Bay City spend approximately 16% of the local median household income ($63,735) on rent. This is well below the 30% threshold, suggesting significant headroom for rent increases. Tenants can afford to pay more, which is bullish for landlords.
The vacancy rate in Bay City is 5.8%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Population growth of 1.8% annually is actively adding rental demand.
Bay City's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 19.4x. A GRM above 16x means the property is expensive relative to its income. Investors here are typically betting on appreciation rather than current cash flow. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.
At the median rent of $860/mo, a single-family rental in Bay City generates approximately $10,320 in gross annual income. After accounting for 5.8% vacancy ($599 lost), property taxes of $3,440, insurance (~$800), and maintenance (~$800), the estimated NOI is $4,681 per year, or $390/mo.
Bay City vs Texas state average and national average across key investment metrics. Bay City's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.