Real Estate Investing in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts (02557)

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

Dukes • Population: 1,849 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02557 (Oak Bluffs, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 67.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 51.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Oak Bluffs, MA (02557)?

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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 $1,259,973
Avg Monthly Rent $2,061
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $92,022
% Renters 27.3%

Market Analysis: 02557 Oak Bluffs

The 02557 ZIP in Oak Bluffs, MA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $1.3M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The investment case in 02557 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $1.3M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 02557's metrics run below Dukes's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 02557 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.

Strategy in 02557 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $1.3M 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 Oak Bluffs:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 13.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,061/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 02557

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+11.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$378,086/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $862,907 $1,770 1.5% +8.0% $862,907
2BR $942,094 $2,290 1.8% +8.6% $471,047
3BR $1,151,541 $3,210 2.0% +9.4% $383,847
4BR $1,512,342 $3,400 1.6% +10.5% $378,086
5BR $2,085,793 +11.7% $417,159

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.3M$1.1M$960K$772K$584K$395KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02557 Compare?

Metric 02557 Oak Bluffs Massachusetts
Home Value $1,259,973 $1,259,973 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 6.3% 6.3% 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,061 $2,061 -
Cap Rate 1.3% 1.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 02557? 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 02557 (Oak Bluffs, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,259,973
Monthly Rent $2,061
Price-to-Rent 51.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.0%
Cap Rate 1.3%
5-Year IRR 7.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.3%). 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
67.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02557

Population: 1,849

💰 Median Household Income
$92,022
This area
$92,022
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.3%
This area
27.3%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
40.4%
This area
40.4%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.5 years
This area
51.5 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
67.8%
This area
67.8%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.4%
Black/African American 10.8%
Other/Mixed 2.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.2%
👶 Under 18
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.3%
This area
30.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
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 02557

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
8.2:1 Avg Class Size
$37,241 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Martha's Vineyard Regional High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
681 Students
👨‍🏫
8.5:1 Class Size
💰
$41,931 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Oak Bluffs Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
419 Students
👨‍🏫
7.9:1 Class Size
💰
$32,550 Per Student

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Tisbury Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 40 West William Street, Vineyard Haven
👥
271 Students
👨‍🏫
6.8:1 Class Size
💰
$49,517 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Oak Bluffs, MA?

Expect median prices around $1.3M in Oak Bluffs, MA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

How high is vacancy risk in Oak Bluffs, MA?

Occupancy in Oak Bluffs, MA runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $2,061/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How much is rent in Oak Bluffs, MA?

Investors in Oak Bluffs, MA typically see rents near $2,061/mo per month against $1.3M home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Is Oak Bluffs, MA landlord-friendly?

Oak Bluffs, MA operates under MA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the typical renter like in Oak Bluffs, MA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Oak Bluffs, MA. The rental market absorbs $2,061/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 02557 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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