ZIP CODE 78520 // BROWNSVILLE-HARLINGEN, TX // DATA AS OF 2026-09-30
Brownsville, TX (78520) Rental Property Cap Rate & Cash Flow Report
Located in Cameron County (Brownsville, TX), Zip Code 78520 ranks #12 of 500 within this selected sample (98th percentile) with a Zillow ZHVI typical home-value index of $189,048 (+1.8% YoY) and a ZORI observed market rent of $1,521/mo (+5.8% YoY). Cash-flow positive at standard 20% down payment (break-even down payment: 15.2%). This model combines different housing populations; it is not an observed average property return. Costs assume state-average tax, 0.5% annual insurance, 13% reserves and no HOA or management. Figures below follow your edits; this headline describes the original benchmark.
Net Monthly Cash Flow
+$57/mo
Annual: +$684/yr
Modeled Cap Rate
6.43%
NOI: $12,155/yr
Cash-on-Cash Return
1.57%
Cash Needed: $43,481
1% Rule Ratio
0.80%
Gross Yield: 9.65%
Break-Even Rent
$1,455/mo
State Tax: 1.47%/yr
INTERACTIVE PRO-FORMA STATEMENT (ZIP 78520 BENCHMARK)
Edit any value
Purchase Price (ZHVI proxy)
Monthly Gross Rent (ZORI proxy)
Down Payment (%)
Interest Rate (30Y Fixed %)
Annual Property Tax (TX Avg 1.47%)
Annual Home Insurance ($)
Monthly HOA Fee ($)
Monthly Debt Service (P&I)
-$956/mo
Monthly Operating Expenses (Tax + Ins + 13% Reserves)
-$508/mo
HISTORICAL ZHVI PRICE VS. ZORI RENT TRAJECTORY (78520)
| Year | ZHVI Value | ZORI Rent | Gross Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $185,670 | $1,437/mo | 9.29% |
| 2026 | $189,048 | $1,521/mo | 9.65% |
COMPARABLE U.S. RENTAL MARKETS
| Zip / City | Price | Rent | Cap Rate | Cash Flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75217 Dallas, TX | $194,030 | $1,521/mo | 6.21% | +$24/mo |
| 78574 La Homa, TX | $190,121 | $1,592/mo | 6.77% | +$112/mo |
| 75227 Dallas, TX | $220,969 | $1,702/mo | 6.07% | +$1/mo |
| 77373 Spring, TX | $238,312 | $1,767/mo | 5.77% | -$59/mo |
| 77083 Houston, TX | $256,597 | $1,893/mo | 5.73% | -$72/mo |
| 78577 Pharr, TX | $160,637 | $1,112/mo | 5.26% | -$108/mo |