Plainview, TX Cap Rate 5.54%
Plainview is one of the most affordable markets in the country in the South with a small but investable metro of 50,000. At a 5.54% estimated cap rate, this is a solid market where rents of $820/mo lag behind home prices. With a median home price of $115,000 and steady population growth supports long-term rental demand, Plainview stands out as a market worth serious analysis for rental investors.
Market data powered by Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) · Updated Feb 2026
Market Data
2026 Market Update: Plainview
Plainview's 0.7% rent-to-price ratio is well below the 1% rule. At median prices of $115,000, the $820/mo rent produces only $531/mo in NOI. Investors here need to target below-median properties or pursue value-add strategies to make the numbers work.
At current rates, a 20% down conventional loan ($23K at 7%) would result in approximately $-81/mo cash flow — negative at median prices. Larger down payments, seller financing, or buying 15–25% below median are strategies to turn the numbers positive.
Property taxes consume 20% of gross rent here — one of the highest ratios in our dataset. This significantly compresses margins and makes Plainview a market where tax-conscious underwriting is essential. Every deal should be stress-tested with potential assessment increases.
Deal Modeling & Scenarios for Plainview
All figures below are computed from Plainview's real market medians. Use them as a baseline; override with property-specific numbers in the calculators.
Property Tax Bill in Real Dollars
At 1.72% effective rate on the $115,000 median price, the annual tax bill is $1,978 — that's very high (top 15% of US markets) (+62% vs the national average of ~1.06%). Verify the actual assessed value before purchase; sale-triggered reassessments can push the bill higher than the seller's current statement.
5-Year Cap Rate Trajectory
If Plainview continues appreciating at 2.7%/yr while rents grow at a conservative 3%/yr, cap rate holds roughly steady as price growth outpaces rent. Year-by-year projection at the median:
| Year | Est. Price | Est. Rent/Mo | Cap Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | $115K | $820 | 5.5% |
| Year 1 | $118K | $845 | 5.6% |
| Year 2 | $121K | $870 | 5.6% |
| Year 3 | $125K | $896 | 5.6% |
| Year 4 | $128K | $923 | 5.6% |
| Year 5 | $131K | $951 | 5.6% |
Three Financing Scenarios
Same median-priced Plainview property — different capital structures. All-cash maximizes cap rate. Leverage trades cash flow for higher cash-on-cash return when the spread between cap rate and borrowing cost is positive.
| Scenario | Cash Invested | Monthly Cash Flow | Annual CF | Cash-on-Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All cash | $115K | $531 | $6,371 | 5.5% |
| 20% down conventional @ 7% | $26K | $-81 | $-970 | -3.7% |
| 25% down DSCR @ 8.5% | $33K | $-132 | $-1,588 | -4.8% |
Three Price Tiers: Below, At, and Above the Median
Properties don't always trade at the median. Lower-priced units typically offer higher cap rates but harder operations; higher-priced properties tend to compress cap rates while attracting better tenants. All-cash assumptions below:
| Tier | Price | Rent/Mo | NOI/Yr | Cap Rate | Monthly CF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below median (~75% price) | $86K | $697 | $4,712 | 5.5% | $393 |
| At median | $115K | $820 | $5,257 | 4.6% | $438 |
| Above median (~125% price) | $144K | $943 | $5,802 | 4.0% | $483 |
Total Return Over a 5-Year Hold
Cap rate is just one piece. Real estate returns come from four sources: cash flow, appreciation, principal paydown, and tax benefits. Assuming 20% down conventional financing at 7% and a 5-year hold at Plainview's historical appreciation rate of 2.7%:
On a $23K down payment, that's a 80.2% total ROI over 5 years (not annualized). Tax benefits from depreciation are additional and depend on your personal tax bracket.
Risk Flags Specific to Plainview
Automated checks against the underlying data — surface only the risks that actually apply to Plainview, not generic boilerplate:
Cap Rate Calculator — Plainview
Pre-filled with Plainview medians. Adjust to match a specific property.
Cash-on-Cash Return — Plainview
Factor in financing to see your actual return on invested capital in Plainview.
Is Plainview a Good Place to Invest in Rental Property?
Plainview, TX has a population of 50,000 and has been growing at 1.8% annually — above the national average, suggesting steady demand pressure on housing. The median home price of $115,000 paired with median rents of $820/mo produces an estimated cap rate of 5.54%.
Property taxes at 1.72% are notably high and represent a significant drag on cash flow — model this expense carefully, as it can make or break a deal. The vacancy rate of 5.8% is moderate and within normal parameters for a healthy rental market.
At a price-to-income ratio of 1.8x, homes cost about 1.8 times the local median income of $63,735. This relatively affordable ratio suggests a deep pool of renters who find buying out of reach, supporting rental demand. Home values have appreciated at roughly 2.7% annually. Steady appreciation means total returns will be primarily cash flow-driven — the more sustainable model for long-term wealth building.
Bottom line: Plainview presents moderate opportunities. Cap rates near 5.54% mean deals need careful sourcing — look for value-add rehabs or emerging neighborhoods where rents are climbing.