Real Estate Investing in Leicester, Massachusetts (01524)

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

Worcester County • Population: 6,110 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 01524 (Leicester, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Leicester, MA (01524)?

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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 $472,341
Avg Monthly Rent $1,503
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $88,933
% Renters 15.3%

Market Analysis: 01524 Leicester

The 01524 ZIP covers a section of Leicester that demands careful diligence. Prices near $472K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 01524 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $472K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 01524's metrics run below Worcester County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

In practical terms, 6,110 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 01524 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Leicester:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,503/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 01524

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$134,413/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $389,067 $1,670 3.1% +8.1% $194,533
3BR $454,743 $2,040 3.2% +7.6% $151,581
4BR $537,654 $2,250 3.0% +7.9% $134,413

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$496K$433K$369K$305K$242K$178KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 01524 Compare?

Metric 01524 Leicester Worcester, MA-CT Massachusetts
Home Value $472,341 $471,980 N/A $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.7% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $1,503 $1,653 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 01524? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 01524 (Leicester, 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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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
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $472,341
Monthly Rent $1,503
Price-to-Rent 26.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.8%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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
8.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 01524

Population: 6,110

💰 Median Household Income
$88,933
This area
$88,933
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.4%
This area
28.4%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.2 years
This area
42.2 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.8%
This area
8.8%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.8%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Black/African American 3.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.8%
This area
14.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
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 01524

A+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$21,162 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Leicester High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,162 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Leicester Elementary

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
470 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$21,162 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Leicester Middle

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,162 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Leicester Integrated Preschool

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
49 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,162 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 443 Off-Campus Students
C+
Worcester State University
5,611 students · 4.1 mi
B
Clark University
4,124 students · 4.9 mi
C+
Assumption University
2,046 students · 5.6 mi
C
Anna Maria College
1,332 students · 5.6 mi
B+
College of the Holy Cross
3,035 students · 5.8 mi
C
Rob Roy Academy-Worcester
121 students · 5.8 mi
B
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
7,353 students · 6.0 mi
C
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester
171 students · 6.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a house cost in Leicester, MA?

Typical homes in Leicester, MA go for around $472K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

What is the best play in Leicester, MA?

In Leicester, MA the impressive play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $472K prices and $1,503/mo rents suits that approach.

How strong is tenant demand in Leicester, MA?

Leicester, MA offers a steady renter base at the $1,503/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Does house hacking work in Leicester, MA?

Leicester, MA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,503/mo rent level.

How high is vacancy risk in Leicester, MA?

Rental vacancy in Leicester, MA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

You know 01524 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 01524 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 01524 ranks in Worcester, MA-CT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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