Real Estate Investing in Walpole, Massachusetts (02081)

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

Norfolk County • Population: 19,703 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02081 (Walpole, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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.

What’s happening in Walpole, MA (02081)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $780,912
Avg Monthly Rent $2,950
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $141,599
% Renters 19.4%

Market Analysis: 02081 Walpole

The 02081 ZIP in Walpole, MA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $781K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The investment case in 02081 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $781K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within MA, ZIP 02081 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Norfolk County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.

From an investor standpoint, 19,703 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.

Strategy in 02081 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $781K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Walpole:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,950/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 02081

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$233,408/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $562,187 $2,620 3.4% +6.5% $281,093
3BR $700,224 $3,140 3.2% +6.2% $233,408
4BR $955,082 $3,470 2.6% +6.8% $238,771
5BR $1,170,818 +7.9% $234,164

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$821K$722K$624K$525K$426K$327KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,993$2,868$2,743$2,618$2,493$2,368Apr 2024May 2025Jun 2026

📊 How Does 02081 Compare?

Metric 02081 Walpole Massachusetts
Home Value $780,912 $819,101 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 4.8% 5.1% 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,950 $2,728 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 02081? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 02081 (Walpole, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Norfolk County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Old Colony Property Services is a condominium and HOA property management company serving the Old Colony area of Southeastern Massachusetts, including Canton, Easton, Brockton, and Bridgewater. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Bellevue Property Management is a home rental and property management company servicing Boston Metrowest, including Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Natick, and Holliston. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

The Triad Group is a real estate and development company specializing in taking development projects from vision to reality across the United States and globally. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $780,912
Monthly Rent $2,950
Price-to-Rent 22.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 7.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +9.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
4.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02081

Population: 19,703

💰 Median Household Income
$141,599
This area
$141,599
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.4%
This area
19.4%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
57.2%
This area
57.2%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.3 years
This area
42.3 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.8%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Asian 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
Black/African American 2.5%
👶 Under 18
24.8%
This area
24.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.9%
This area
16.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
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 02081

A+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
11.6:1 Avg Class Size
$23,933 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Boyden

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
405 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Eleanor N Johnson Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
415 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Norfolk County Agricultural

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
586 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,968 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Walpole High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
946 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Elm Street School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
446 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Fisher

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
473 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student
A Very Good

Daniel Feeney Preschool Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
79 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student

Nearby Schools (3 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Bird Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 625 Washington Street, East Walpole
👥
400 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Old Post Road

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 99 Old Post Road, East Walpole
👥
469 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,760 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School

📚 K – 12 K-12
📍 141 Mansion Drive, East Walpole
👥
2,907 Students
👨‍🏫
23.2:1 Class Size
💰
$8,576 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 102 Off-Campus Students
D
FINE Mortuary College
176 students · 4.1 mi
C
Dean College
1,151 students · 8.3 mi
C
Blue Hills Regional Technical School
38 students · 8.3 mi
C+
Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School
64 students · 9.1 mi
C
Curry College
1,994 students · 9.6 mi
B+
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
402 students · 10.1 mi
B+
Wellesley College
2,418 students · 10.3 mi
B+
Babson College
3,943 students · 10.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Walpole, MA?

Rent in Walpole, MA is around $2,950/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $781K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

How strong is tenant demand in Walpole, MA?

The renter base in Walpole, MA is reasonable for the $2,950/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.

What is the typical home price in Walpole, MA?

Walpole, MA home values average about $781K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,950/mo in monthly income.

Is Walpole, MA landlord-friendly?

Rental owners in Walpole, MA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Is Walpole, MA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Walpole, MA best. The market produces reliable results for that approach at the $781K price point.

You know 02081 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 02081 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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