Real Estate Investing in Holden, Massachusetts (01522)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Worcester County • Population: 3,021 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 01522 (Holden, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Holden, MA (01522)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $543,467
Avg Monthly Rent $1,863
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $116,894
% Renters 15.7%

Market Analysis: 01522 Holden

Looking more closely, ZIP 01522 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $543K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $543K asset, 01522 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader MA picture, 01522 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 01522 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The right play in 01522 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Holden:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,863/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Worcester, MA-CT Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
34 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.3%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Worcester, MA-CT metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 01522

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$165,882/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $369,864 $2,070 4.0% +8.2% $184,932
3BR $519,585 $2,570 3.6% +7.6% $173,195
4BR $663,529 $2,840 3.1% +8.2% $165,882

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$576K$486K$397K$308K$218K$129KJun 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 01522 Compare?

Metric 01522 Holden Worcester, MA-CT Massachusetts
Home Value $543,467 $556,610 N/A $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.6% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $1,863 $2,341 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 01522? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 01522 (Holden, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Worcester County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Ruane Property Management LLC offers commercial and residential property management services. summary from their website

Commercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

AP Services MA offers services to build, manage, and maintain properties. summary from their website

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Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $543,467
Monthly Rent $1,863
Price-to-Rent 24.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 01522

Population: 3,021

💰 Median Household Income
$116,894
This area
$116,894
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.7%
This area
15.7%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
55.2%
This area
55.2%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.0 years
This area
42.0 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.5%
Other/Mixed 2.9%
Black/African American 1.7%
Asian 1.0%
Hispanic/Latino 0.5%
👶 Under 18
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.9%
This area
14.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 01522

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
20.0:1 Avg Class Size
$19,035 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
140 Students
👨‍🏫
20.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,035 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,709 Off-Campus Students
C
Anna Maria College
1,332 students · 4.3 mi
C
Quinsigamond Community College
6,930 students · 6.1 mi
C+
Assumption University
2,046 students · 6.4 mi
C
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester
171 students · 7.4 mi
C+
Worcester State University
5,611 students · 8.0 mi
B
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
7,353 students · 8.0 mi
C
Rob Roy Academy-Worcester
121 students · 8.8 mi
C
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
1,394 students · 9.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,709 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What price range are homes in Holden, MA?

Holden, MA home values average about $543K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,863/mo in monthly income.

Is Holden, MA suited for a house hack?

House hacking in Holden, MA is a challenging. With home values around $543K and rents at $1,863/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Is Holden in MA worth investing in?

Yes - Holden, MA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $543K home prices against $1,863/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How strong are rents in Holden, MA?

Average rent in Holden, MA is approximately $1,863/mo per month. Against $543K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Is MA a landlord-friendly state?

Rental owners in Holden, MA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 01522 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 01522 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 01522 ranks in Worcester, MA-CT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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