ZIP CODE 78521 // BROWNSVILLE-HARLINGEN, TX // DATA AS OF 2026-09-30
Brownsville, TX (78521) Rental Property Cap Rate & Cash Flow Report
Located in Cameron County (Brownsville, TX), Zip Code 78521 ranks #5 of 500 within this selected sample (99th percentile) with a Zillow ZHVI typical home-value index of $169,028 (+1.0% YoY) and a ZORI observed market rent of $1,609/mo (+10.3% YoY). Cash-flow positive at standard 20% down payment (break-even down payment: 0.0%). 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
+$268/mo
Annual: +$3,212/yr
Modeled Cap Rate
7.97%
NOI: $13,468/yr
Cash-on-Cash Return
8.26%
Cash Needed: $38,876
1% Rule Ratio
0.95%
Gross Yield: 11.42%
Break-Even Rent
$1,301/mo
State Tax: 1.47%/yr
INTERACTIVE PRO-FORMA STATEMENT (ZIP 78521 BENCHMARK)
Edit any value
Purchase Price (ZHVI proxy)
Monthly Gross Rent (ZORI proxy)
Down Payment (%)
Interest Rate (30Y Fixed %)
Annual Property Tax (TX Avg 1.47%)
Annual Home Insurance ($)
Monthly HOA Fee ($)
Monthly Debt Service (P&I)
-$855/mo
Monthly Operating Expenses (Tax + Ins + 13% Reserves)
-$487/mo
HISTORICAL ZHVI PRICE VS. ZORI RENT TRAJECTORY (78521)
| Year | ZHVI Value | ZORI Rent | Gross Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $167,308 | $1,459/mo | 10.46% |
| 2026 | $169,028 | $1,609/mo | 11.42% |
COMPARABLE U.S. RENTAL MARKETS
| Zip / City | Price | Rent | Cap Rate | Cash Flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78574 La Homa, TX | $190,121 | $1,592/mo | 6.77% | +$112/mo |
| 78520 Brownsville, TX | $189,048 | $1,521/mo | 6.43% | +$57/mo |
| 75217 Dallas, TX | $194,030 | $1,521/mo | 6.21% | +$24/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 |