Real Estate Investing in Merrimac, Massachusetts (01860)

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

Essex County • Population: 6,707 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 01860 (Merrimac, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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 Merrimac, MA (01860)?

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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 $672,411
Avg Monthly Rent $2,304
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $100,321
% Renters 20.5%

Market Analysis: 01860 Merrimac

ZIP 01860 in Merrimac, MA carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $672K and rents of $2,304/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $672K asset, 01860 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 01860 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 01860 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 01860, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Merrimac:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,304/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 01860

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$208,637/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $505,419 $2,560 3.6% +7.4% $252,709
3BR $647,839 $3,080 3.4% +7.6% $215,946
4BR $834,546 $3,390 2.9% +8.0% $208,637

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$706K$615K$524K$433K$342K$251KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 01860 Compare?

Metric 01860 Merrimac Massachusetts
Home Value $672,411 $672,411 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,304 $2,304 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 01860? 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 01860 (Merrimac, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Essex County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

MRS Property Management offers full-service property management and tenant placement for apartments, houses, and commercial rentals across the North Shore area and Southern New Hampshire. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamilyCommercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

CNR Property Management provides expert property management and maintenance solutions. summary from their website

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This domain is for sale for $2,295 or monthly payments. 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
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $672,411
Monthly Rent $2,304
Price-to-Rent 24.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 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
4.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 01860

Population: 6,707

💰 Median Household Income
$100,321
This area
$100,321
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.5%
This area
20.5%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.2%
This area
33.2%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.2 years
This area
48.2 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.7%
Other/Mixed 5.7%
Hispanic/Latino 5.2%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.0%
This area
22.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.1%
This area
8.1%
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 01860

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.4:1 Avg Class Size
$59,291 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Dr Frederick N Sweetsir

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
231 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$59,291 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Helen R Donaghue School

📚 03 – 06 School
👥
245 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$59,291 Per Student

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Memorial School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
📍 31 W. Main St., Newton
👥
261 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$23,539 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

6 Nearby 333 Off-Campus Students
C
Northern Essex Community College
4,510 students · 3.5 mi
C
Northpoint Bible College
128 students · 6.1 mi
C
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts
527 students · 9.2 mi
D
Spa Tech Institute-North Andover
144 students · 10.9 mi
C+
Merrimack College
5,688 students · 13.1 mi
C
Massachusetts School of Law
284 students · 14.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Merrimac, MA?

In Merrimac, MA the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $672K prices and $2,304/mo rents suits that approach.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Merrimac, MA?

The renter base in Merrimac, MA is reasonable for the $2,304/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

How do home values compare in Merrimac, MA?

Homes in Merrimac, MA typically sell near $672K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

Is Merrimac in MA worth investing in?

Our data puts Merrimac, MA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $672K and rents around $2,304/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Where do rents currently stand in Merrimac, MA?

Investors in Merrimac, MA typically see rents near $2,304/mo per month against $672K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 01860 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 01860 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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