How much is a home worth in ZIP code 78521?

The typical home in 78521 is worth $174,770, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.

Are home values rising in 78521?

Home values in 78521 are up 3.1% over the past year, and up 8.0% a year over five years.

What is the typical rent in 78521?

A typical home in 78521 rents for about $1,388 a month, a gross rental yield of 9.5%.

What is the property tax rate in 78521?

The effective property tax rate in 78521 is 1.3% — roughly $2,289 a year on a typical home.

ZIP code 78521 has a population of 87,380 and a median household income of $44,509.

HousingHandbookReference data

…

U.S. ZIP Code · TX78521

Cameron County · Brownsville-Harlingen, TX

Typical home value

$174,770^[1]

Zillow Home Value Index, as of April 2026

Appreciation

1-year: +3.1%
5-year / yr: +8.0%
10-year / yr: +6.7%

Relative price

vs U.S.: -38.5%
vs metro: -16.3%
vs state: -33.2%

Price history

Zillow Home Value Index — monthly, smoothed and seasonally adjusted.

The typical home in 78521 is worth $174,770 — 16.3% below the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX median. Over the past year, values have risen 3.1%. Homes here rent for a typical $1,388 a month — a 9.5% gross rental yield. The effective property tax rate is 1.3%.

#Rent & investment

Typical asking rent, and the returns it implies at the current home value.

Monthly rent: $1,388^[2]
Gross yield: 9.5%^[2]
Cap rate: 5.7%^[2]

#Property tax

Effective rate — total real estate taxes paid relative to total home value.

Effective tax rate: 1.3%^[3]
Typical annual tax: $2,289^[3]

#Climate risk

FEMA National Risk Index ratings for Cameron County. "Not Applicable" means the hazard does not threaten the county.

Overall risk: Relatively High^[4]
Riverine flood: Relatively Moderate
Coastal flood: Relatively Moderate
Wildfire: Relatively Low
Drought: Relatively Moderate
Heat wave: Relatively High
Hurricane: Very High
Tornado: Relatively Moderate
Earthquake: Very Low
Winter weather: Relatively High

#Who lives here

Population: 87,380^[3]
Median household income: $44,509^[3]

#Migration

Household moves in and out of Cameron County over a year, from IRS tax-return data.

Net migration: -1,182^[5]
Moved in: 4,853
Moved out: 6,035

Schools

Open public schools in this ZIP, from the NCES Common Core of Data.

Public schools: 42
Elementary: 24
Middle: 10
High: 7

HANNA EARLY COLLEGE H S
High · Grades 9–12 · BROWNSVILLE ISD
2,278 students
RIVERA EARLY COLLEGE H S
High · Grades 9–12 · BROWNSVILLE ISD
2,185 students
LOPEZ EARLY COLLEGE H S
High · Grades 9–12 · BROWNSVILLE ISD
1,771 students
PORTER EARLY COLLEGE H S
High · Grades 9–12 · BROWNSVILLE ISD
1,683 students
STILLMAN MIDDLE
Middle · Grades 6–8 · BROWNSVILLE ISD
1,047 students

Run the numbers

Interactive calculators pre-filled with this ZIP's typical home value, rent, and property-tax rate. Edit any field to recompute.

Home value$Monthly rent$

Gross yield9.5%

Net yield (after ~40% expenses)5.7%

Annual rent$16,651

Gross and net yield are estimates based on the inputs and the selected expense ratio. Actual income and expenses will vary by property and market. Not investment advice.

Home price$Down payment%Interest rate%Loan termyears

Monthly payment$884

Loan principal$139,816

Down payment$34,954

Total interest paid$178,328

Estimated monthly payments include principal and interest only. Actual costs will include property tax, insurance, possibly PMI, and HOA fees not modeled here. Loan terms shown are estimates; consult a licensed lender for current rates and qualification.

Home price$Monthly rent$Down payment%Mortgage rate%Property tax rate% / yrMaintenance% / yrRule of thumb: 1% of home value per year.

Own : rent ratio0.88

Monthly cost to own$1,220

Monthly rent$1,388

Owning is meaningfully cheaper month-to-month.

This calculator projects multi-year scenarios based on assumptions about appreciation, rent growth, and investment returns — none of which are guaranteed. Actual outcomes depend on variables this tool cannot know. Not financial or real estate advice.

#Metro ranking

Where this ZIP sits among others in its metro area.

Appreciation: 83rd percentile^[1]
Rental yield: 50th percentile^[2]
Property tax: 58th percentile^[3]

Frequently asked

How much is a home worth in ZIP code 78521?: The typical home in 78521 is worth $174,770, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.
Are home values rising in 78521?: Home values in 78521 are up 3.1% over the past year, and up 8.0% a year over five years.
What is the typical rent in 78521?: A typical home in 78521 rents for about $1,388 a month, a gross rental yield of 9.5%.
What is the property tax rate in 78521?: The effective property tax rate in 78521 is 1.3% — roughly $2,289 a year on a typical home.
Who lives in 78521?: ZIP code 78521 has a population of 87,380 and a median household income of $44,509.

#Comparable ZIPs

Same metro, nearest typical home value. Each card shows the comparable ZIP's headline numbers so you can scan at a glance.

78550 vs 78521 →
Harlingen, TX
Typical home
$178,502
Gross yield
7.5%
78559 vs 78521 →
La Feria, TX
Typical home
$183,191
Gross yield
—
78586
San Benito, TX
Typical home
$164,129
Gross yield
8.8%
78593
Yznaga CDP, TX
Typical home
$159,663
Gross yield
—
78520
Brownsville, TX
Typical home
$190,483
Gross yield
10.1%
78583
La Tina Ranch CDP, TX
Typical home
$208,764
Gross yield
—

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#Jump to section

U.S. ZIP Code · TX78521

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