Real Estate Investing in Northborough, Massachusetts (01532)

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

Worcester County • Population: 15,694 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 01532 (Northborough, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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.

What’s happening in Northborough, MA (01532)?

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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 $704,120
Avg Monthly Rent $2,920
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $160,801
% Renters 15.3%

Market Analysis: 01532 Northborough

The 01532 ZIP covers a section of Northborough that demands careful diligence. Prices near $704K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 01532 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 01532 among MA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Resident income in 01532 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 01532 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Northborough:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,920/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 01532

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$189,683/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $482,523 $3,080 4.6% +7.1% $241,261
3BR $628,359 $3,820 4.4% +7.7% $209,453
4BR $861,051 $4,230 3.5% +8.2% $215,263
5BR $948,413 +8.5% $189,683

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$743K$654K$564K$475K$386K$297KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,063$3,032$3,001$2,970$2,940$2,909Apr 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 01532 Compare?

Metric 01532 Northborough Worcester, MA-CT Massachusetts
Home Value $704,120 $704,120 N/A $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,920 $2,920 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 01532? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 01532 (Northborough, 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
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $704,120
Monthly Rent $2,920
Price-to-Rent 20.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
2.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 01532

Population: 15,694

💰 Median Household Income
$160,801
This area
$160,801
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
65.2%
This area
65.2%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.8 years
This area
44.8 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.2%
Asian 11.0%
Other/Mixed 7.6%
Hispanic/Latino 6.1%
Black/African American 3.3%
👶 Under 18
22.4%
This area
22.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.6%
This area
15.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
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 01532

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
12.2:1 Avg Class Size
$24,894 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Robert E. Melican Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
569 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,908 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Fannie E Proctor

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,908 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marguerite E Peaslee

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$24,908 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Algonquin Regional High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,194 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$24,823 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lincoln Street

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
282 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$24,908 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marion E Zeh

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
255 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$24,908 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 2,314 Off-Campus Students
C
Spa Tech Institute-Westboro
194 students · 2.6 mi
C
Assabet Valley Regional Technical School
48 students · 5.1 mi
C
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
1,394 students · 6.7 mi
C
Quinsigamond Community College
6,930 students · 7.6 mi
C
Bancroft School of Massage Therapy
51 students · 7.7 mi
C
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Worcester
171 students · 8.7 mi
B
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
7,353 students · 8.9 mi
C
Rob Roy Academy-Worcester
121 students · 9.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,314 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Northborough, MA?

Homes in Northborough, MA typically sell near $704K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

Is Northborough, MA a friendly market for rental owners?

Landlord-friendliness in Northborough, MA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

How strong is tenant demand in Northborough, MA?

Tenant demand in Northborough, MA is solid. The local workforce $2,920/mo rents across most rental classes.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Northborough, MA?

Vacancy risk in Northborough, MA is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

What strategy should investors use in Northborough, MA?

Northborough, MA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($704K prices, $2,920/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 01532 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 01532 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 01532 ranks in Worcester, MA-CT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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