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Market MapWest VirginiaPreston

Preston County

West VirginiaPopulation: 34,206
80
/100
Strong Buy
#5 of 1,000 counties
#1 in West Virginia (55 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs Research·Independent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated May 25, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$138,660
Median Home Price
41% below national median
$8,233/mo
Est. Rent
Based on regional data
5.94%
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
80/100
80
Cash Flow(30%)
0/100

Rent data not available for cash flow calculation.

Appreciation(25%)
86/100

Based on 5.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
100/100

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

  • +Strong price appreciation (+5.1% YoY)
  • +Affordable relative to local incomes

Challenges

  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 0.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
  • -Limited rent data (estimates used)

Economic Indicators

Population
34,206
Median Income
—
Data pending
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
—
Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for
  • +Appreciation buyers: YoY growth is meaningfully above the long-run average
Skip if
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
CurrentPrestonWV
80$138,660Est. pending—Strong Buy
HancockWV
78$141,481Est. pending—Strong BuyView
MarshallWV
77$131,150Est. pending—Strong BuyView
UpshurWV
77$154,173Est. pending—Strong BuyView
OhioWV
74$154,458$9717.55%BuyView
TaylorWV
73$185,741Est. pending—BuyView

The Bottom Line

Strong BuyPreston is a strong buy market with excellent fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

Preston County in West Virginia scores 80/100, ranking #5 of 1,000 US counties (top 1%). 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 Preston with stronger cash flow

  • Ohio County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to Preston

  • Marshall County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

  • Preston vs Hancock for rentals
  • Preston vs Marshall for rentals
  • Preston vs Upshur for rentals
All counties in West Virginia →

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