Real Estate Investing in Worcester, Massachusetts (01609)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 01609 (Worcester, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
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.
What’s happening in Worcester, MA (01609)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 01609 Worcester
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Worcester's 01609 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $557K pricing implies.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 01609 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Within MA, ZIP 01609 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Worcester County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.
The 01609 ZIP's population of 23,184 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.
Strategically, 01609 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Worcester:
Property Strategy for 01609
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $252,290 | $1,500 | 4.3% | +9.1% | $252,290 |
| 2BR | $386,323 | $1,930 | 3.6% | +8.6% | $193,161 |
| 3BR | $529,919 | $2,390 | 3.2% | +8.1% | $176,640 |
| 4BR | $650,975 | $2,650 | 2.9% | +8.2% | $162,744 |
| 5BR | $753,699 | — | — | +8.2% | $150,740 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 01609 Compare?
| Metric | 01609 | Worcester | Worcester, MA-CT | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $557,262 | $196,107 | N/A | $645,115 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.0% | 6.4% | N/A | 7.0% |
| Avg Rent | $1,886 | $2,161 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% | 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 01609 (Worcester, 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
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 | $557,262 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,886 |
| Price-to-Rent | 24.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.1% |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -0.9% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (7.0%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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 01609
Population: 23,184
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 01609
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Chandler Magnet
City View
Claremont Academy
Norrback Avenue
Tatnuck
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 do landlords charge for rent in Worcester, MA?
Worcester, MA rentals go for roughly $1,886/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $557K acquisition costs.
Are tenants stable in Worcester, MA?
Tenant quality in Worcester, MA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $1,886/mo.
What is the smart move for investors in Worcester, MA?
For Worcester, MA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
Is rental property easy to operate in Worcester, MA?
Worcester, MA operates under MA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
Does house hacking make sense in Worcester, MA?
Worcester, MA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,886/mo rent level.
You know 01609 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 01609 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 01609 ranks in Worcester, MA-CT
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