Is Polk County, TX good for real estate investing?

Polk County has an investment score of 67/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #222 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Polk?

The rent-to-price ratio in Polk County is 9.31% annually, which ranks in the 98th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Polk?

The median home price in Polk County is $178,975. This ranks #157 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Polk?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Polk County would generate negative cash flow of $36/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Polk County

TexasPopulation: 50,536

/100

Buy

#222 of 1,000 counties

#34 in Texas (243 counties)

Market Snapshot

$178,975

Median Home Price

35% below national median

$1,388/mo

Median Rent

7% below national median

9.31%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 2% nationally

-$36

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$178,975

Down Payment (20%)$35,795

Loan Amount$143,180

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,388

Monthly P&I-$938

Est. Expenses (35%)-$486

Net Cash Flow-$36/mo

6.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-1.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

9.31%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 6.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

67/100

Cash Flow(30%)

93/100

Based on 9.31% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

41/100

Based on -1.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

83/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.1x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (9.31%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Declining home values (-1.9% YoY)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 6.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

50,536

Median Income

$57,315

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

3.1x

Moderately affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
WebbTX	68	$211,662	$1,286	7.29%	Buy	View
WichitaTX	68	$163,787	$1,183	8.67%	Buy	View
PotterTX	68	$142,947	$1,002	8.41%	Buy	View
CurrentPolkTX	67	$178,975	$1,388	9.31%	Buy
Tom GreenTX	67	$242,154	$1,404	6.96%	Buy	View
MidlandTX	66	$324,570	$1,578	5.83%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyPolk offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Polk County in Texas scores 67/100, ranking #222 of 1,000 US counties (top 22%). The 9.31% rent-to-price ratio exceeds the 1% rule target, suggesting strong cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-36/mo

Cap Rate

6.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-1.1%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Polk?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$178,975

Down Payment (20%)$35,795

Loan Amount$143,180

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,388

Monthly P&I-$938

Est. Expenses (35%)-$486

Net Cash Flow-$36/mo

6.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-1.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

9.31%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 6.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

67/100

Cash Flow(30%)

93/100

Based on 9.31% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

41/100

Based on -1.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

83/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.1x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

WebbTX

$211,662

$1,286

7.29%

Buy

View

WichitaTX

$163,787

$1,183

8.67%

Buy

View

PotterTX

$142,947

$1,002

8.41%

Buy

View

CurrentPolkTX

$178,975

$1,388

9.31%

Buy

Tom GreenTX

$242,154

$1,404

6.96%

Buy

View

MidlandTX

$324,570

$1,578

5.83%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

BuyPolk offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Polk County in Texas scores 67/100, ranking #222 of 1,000 US counties (top 22%). The 9.31% rent-to-price ratio exceeds the 1% rule target, suggesting strong cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-36/mo

Cap Rate

6.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-1.1%