Why Is El Paso Emerging As A Hotspot For Multifamily Investment?

On April 29th, we published a post exploring which U.S. MSAs are expected to experience the highest capital gains in the next five years. Read it here:

https://www.risespot.com/post/multifamily-what-u-s-msas-would-you-expect-to-experience-the-highest-capital-gain-in-the-next-5-ye

Over the coming weeks, we’ll dive deeper into some of the most promising markets identified by Risespot’s Multifamily Models. Today, we’re spotlighting El Paso, Texas - a big MSA (with a population of over 1m) with the highest ratio of attractive areas.

El Paso At A Glance

According to to the last recent results of Risespot’s Multifamily Models, 94% of El Paso’s area is classified as “attractive” for investment (coded 5, 6, or 7, as can be seen in the map below[1]). This high rating is driven by a combination of transportation development and positive performance backed by economic momentum.

[1] Transportation projects can be either line or point.

Transportation Planning: A Foundation for Growth

El Paso has seen a surge in transportation projects, many of which are designed to support long-term growth. These projects were prioritized by the El Paso MPO based on travel demand models that forecast future population and business expansion.

These are the major projects:

Socioeconomic Trends Driving Demand

Several key indicators point to El Paso’s growing appeal:

Rising Wages: High-paying occupations are on the rise, with average wages increasing from $70K to $74K over the past five years.

Household Income: Median household income is growing, though it remains in the 10th percentile nationally, indicating room for upward mobility.

Educational Attainment: The percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher is increasing, albeit at a slower pace than the national average.

Rental Market: Gross rent has surged due to strong absorption and limited new supply.

Commute Times: Unlike the national trend, El Paso has maintained stable travel times to work.

It’s important to note that different census tracts exhibit different strengths—some score high due to job proximity, while others excel in income or education. This complexity underscores the value of data-driven tools like Risespot in identifying emerging “hot spots.”

Economic Drivers Fueling Momentum

El Paso’s expected growth is supported by a diverse set of economic catalysts:

Fort Bliss: A major military installation providing stable demand. A new 36-acre outpatient facility was announced in August 2024.

University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP): A steady source of student housing demand.

Eaton Corp: $150M expansion announced in September 2023, creating 600+ jobs.

Sunset Amphitheater: $3B projected economic impact; construction begins summer 2025.

Advanced Manufacturing District: Phase 1 approved in January 2025; 17,000 jobs expected by 2030.

Vinton Steel (Japan): $229M expansion announced February 2025; 180+ jobs by 2027.

Schneider Electric: 300 new jobs announced in March 2025.

Hunt Development: 2,400 homes + 400 apartments in Horizon City; groundbreaking in February 2025.

Convention Center Expansion: Approved in April 2025 to boost tourism and events.

Conclusion: A Market on the Rise

El Paso has been identified by Risespot’s models as one of the most attractive MSAs for multifamily investment. This recognition is based on early indicators of capital gain potential—before the trends become obvious to the broader market.

To explore the data and models' validation behind these insights, visit Risespot.com.