Is Wake County, NC good for real estate investing?

Wake County has an investment score of 43/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #680 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Wake County is 4.18% annually, which ranks in the 9th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Wake?

The median home price in Wake County is $470,743. This ranks #891 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Wake?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Wake County would generate negative cash flow of $1,401/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Wake County

North CarolinaPopulation: 1,132,103Raleigh, NC Metro

/100

Avoid

#680 of 1,000 counties

#71 in North Carolina (100 counties)

Market Snapshot

$470,743

Median Home Price

102% above national median

$1,642/mo

Median Rent

9% above national median

4.18%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 91% nationally

-$1,401

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$470,743

Down Payment (20%)$94,149

Loan Amount$376,594

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,642

Monthly P&I-$2,468

Est. Expenses (35%)-$575

Net Cash Flow-$1,401/mo

2.7%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.5%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.18%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.7% 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

43/100

Cash Flow(30%)

33/100

Based on 4.18% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

37/100

Based on -2.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

57/100

Price-to-income ratio of 4.9x. 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

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.18%)
-Declining home values (-2.5% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,401/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.7% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

1,132,103

Median Income

$96,734

vs $57,018 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

4.9x

Moderately affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
ClayNC	46	$334,965	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
SwainNC	44	$319,059	Est. pending	—	Avoid	View
CarteretNC	44	$466,579	$1,736	4.47%	Avoid	View
CurrentWakeNC	43	$470,743	$1,642	4.18%	Avoid
New HanoverNC	43	$435,002	$1,677	4.63%	Avoid	View
ChathamNC	42	$542,358	$1,785	3.95%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

AvoidWake may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Wake County in North Carolina scores 43/100, ranking #680 of 1,000 US counties (top 90%). The 4.18% rent-to-price ratio may require creative strategies or below-market purchases for positive cash flow. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,401/mo

Cap Rate

2.7%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.5%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Wake?

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$470,743

Down Payment (20%)$94,149

Loan Amount$376,594

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,642

Monthly P&I-$2,468

Est. Expenses (35%)-$575

Net Cash Flow-$1,401/mo

2.7%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.5%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.18%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.7% 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

43/100

Cash Flow(30%)

33/100

Based on 4.18% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

37/100

Based on -2.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

57/100

Price-to-income ratio of 4.9x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

ClayNC

$334,965

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

SwainNC

$319,059

Est. pending

—

Avoid

View

CarteretNC

$466,579

$1,736

4.47%

Avoid

View

CurrentWakeNC

$470,743

$1,642

4.18%

Avoid

New HanoverNC

$435,002

$1,677

4.63%

Avoid

View

ChathamNC

$542,358

$1,785

3.95%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

AvoidWake may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,401/mo

Cap Rate

2.7%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.5%