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Market MapNorth CarolinaMcDowell

McDowell County

North CarolinaPopulation: 44,629
53
/100
Hold
#542 of 1,000 counties
#43 in North Carolina (100 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs Research·Independent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated June 29, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$260,863
Median Home Price
14% above national median
$15,762/mo
Est. Rent
Based on regional data
6.04%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Estimated from price data
+$0
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
53/100
53
Cash Flow(30%)
0/100

Rent data not available for cash flow calculation.

Appreciation(25%)
40/100

Based on -2.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
74/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

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

  • +Affordable relative to local incomes

Challenges

  • -Declining home values (-2.1% YoY)
  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 0.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
  • -Limited rent data (estimates used)

Economic Indicators

Population
44,629
Median Income
—
Data pending
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
—
Data pending

Who this market fits

Skip if
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
  • −You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
TyrrellNC
54$162,023Est. pending—HoldView
CurrentMcDowellNC
53$260,863Est. pending—Hold
ChowanNC
53$218,693Est. pending—HoldView
MooreNC
53$406,616$1,8455.44%HoldView
UnionNC
53$445,007$2,0595.55%HoldView
GreeneNC
52$174,742Est. pending—HoldView

The Bottom Line

HoldMcDowell is a neutral market.

McDowell County in North Carolina scores 53/100, ranking #542 of 1,000 US counties (top 69%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental roughly breaks even on cash flow. The deal works on appreciation or with better terms, not on month-one cash flow.

Monthly Cash Flow
+$0/mo
Cap Rate
0.0%
Cash-on-Cash
0.0%

Related markets

Markets like McDowell with stronger cash flow

  • Union County for cash-flow rentals
  • Moore County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to McDowell

  • Tyrrell County, lower entry price
  • Greene County, lower entry price
  • Chowan County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

  • McDowell vs Chowan for rentals
  • McDowell vs Moore for rentals
  • McDowell vs Union for rentals
All counties in North Carolina →

Ready to Analyze a Deal in McDowell?

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