Real Estate Investing in El Paso, Texas (79901)

El Paso County • Population: 8,321 • Data updated: June 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 79901 (El Paso, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 50.8% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $14,142 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in El Paso, TX (79901)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $140,508
Avg Monthly Rent $675
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $14,142
% Renters 92.9%

Market Analysis: 79901 El Paso

The 79901 ZIP in El Paso, TX is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $141K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $141K asset, 79901 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within TX, ZIP 79901 trails on several market indicators that neighboring El Paso County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

Turning to rents, 8,321 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 79901, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in El Paso:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 9.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $675/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
El Paso, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
67 days
Average time to sell
Slow
5.4%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from El Paso, TX metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$146K$131K$115K$99K$83K$67KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 79901 Compare?

Metric 79901 El Paso El Paso, TX Texas
Home Value $140,508 $87,449 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 7.4% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $675 $1,406 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 79901? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

93% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 79901 (El Paso, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 79901 (El Paso, TX)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on El Paso, TX metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
45%
Days Pending
2/2
67 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $140,508
Monthly Rent $675
Price-to-Rent 17.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
17.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 79901

Population: 8,321

💰 Median Household Income
$14,142
This area
$14,142
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
92.9%
This area
92.9%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.5 years
This area
44.5 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.4%
This area
17.4%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 59.5%
Hispanic/Latino 57.6%
White 37.5%
Black/African American 3.0%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.6%
This area
20.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
50.8%
This area
50.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 79901

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$14,777 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

AOY EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
312 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
A Very Good

HART EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
335 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
B+ Above Average

GUILLEN MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
504 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
B+ Above Average

EL PASO LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter
👥
185 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,850 Per Student
B Good

LA FE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
193 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,900 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

COLDWELL EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4101 ALTURA AVE, EL PASO
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
A Very Good

HILLSIDE EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4500 CLIFTON AVE, EL PASO
👥
398 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
B+ Above Average

LAMAR EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1440 E CLIFF DR, EL PASO
👥
283 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MESITA EL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 3307 N STANTON, EL PASO
👥
933 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
B Good

COACH WALLY HARTLEY PK-8

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 1014 N STANTON, EL PASO
👥
1,266 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,379 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 10,414 Off-Campus Students
C+
The University of Texas at El Paso
24,351 students · 1.6 mi
D
Pipo Academy of Hair Design
11 students · 2.1 mi
C
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso
922 students · 3.0 mi
C
Southwest University at El Paso
1,817 students · 4.4 mi
D
Pima Medical Institute-El Paso
667 students · 5.8 mi
C
El Paso Community College
24,420 students · 6.3 mi
C
Tri-State Cosmetology Institute
147 students · 8.4 mi
C
Western Technical College
635 students · 8.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 10,414 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rentals sit vacant long in El Paso, TX?

El Paso, TX carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect predictable absorption at market rents of $675/mo.

What kind of tenants rent in El Paso, TX?

El Paso, TX draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $675/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How strict are landlord regulations in El Paso, TX?

The landlord environment in El Paso, TX is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Does house hacking make sense in El Paso, TX?

El Paso, TX is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $141K price point reasonable to enter.

How much does a house cost in El Paso, TX?

Expect median prices around $141K in El Paso, TX. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.

See what 79901 really looks like for investors

You're reading the free snapshot. Unlock appreciation trends, cap rates, vacancy signals, Section 8 data, and full demographics for 79901.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 79901 (El Paso)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 79901 (El Paso, TX).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.