Real Estate Investing in Worcester, Massachusetts (01605)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 01605 (Worcester, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- Elevated poverty: 20.6% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
What’s happening in Worcester, MA (01605)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 01605 Worcester
The 01605 ZIP in Worcester, MA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $453K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
The 01605 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Nearby ZIPs in Worcester have seen price recovery that 01605 has not matched. Worcester County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Demographically, 01605 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 01605 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Worcester:
Property Strategy for 01605
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $222,821 | $1,660 | 5.4% | +13.2% | $222,821 |
| 2BR | $339,168 | $2,130 | 4.5% | +10.1% | $169,584 |
| 3BR | $441,837 | $2,640 | 4.3% | +8.1% | $147,279 |
| 4BR | $526,202 | $2,930 | 4.0% | +8.0% | $131,550 |
| 5BR | $587,694 | — | — | +9.0% | $117,539 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 01605 Compare?
| Metric | 01605 | Worcester | Worcester, MA-CT | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $453,193 | $196,107 | N/A | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.7% | 6.4% | N/A | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $2,370 | $2,161 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.1% | 4.4% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 01605 (Worcester, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 01605 (Worcester, MA)?
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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
AP Services MA offers services to build, manage, and maintain properties. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $453,193 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,370 |
| Price-to-Rent | 15.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.3% |
| Cap Rate | 4.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +3.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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.
Demographics in 01605
Population: 31,086
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 01605
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Chandler Elementary Community
Elm Park Community
Norrback Avenue
Union Hill School
Burncoat Street
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
Investor Insight: With 2,709 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the investability score for Worcester, MA?
Yes - Worcester, MA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $453K home prices against $2,370/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
How do experienced investors play Worcester, MA?
The best-fit strategy in Worcester, MA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
Is Worcester, MA good for landlords?
For rental operators, Worcester, MA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Is house hacking profitable in Worcester, MA?
House hacking in Worcester, MA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $453K and rents of $2,370/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Worcester, MA?
Worcester, MA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
You know 01605 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 01605 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.
How 01605 ranks in Worcester, MA-CT
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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