Real Estate Investing in Barnstable, Massachusetts (02655)

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

Barnstable County • Population: 3,535 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02655 (Barnstable, 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: 48.9% 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 44.4 — 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 Barnstable, MA (02655)?

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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 $1,237,646
Avg Monthly Rent $2,322
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $95,563
% Renters 8.5%

Market Analysis: 02655 Barnstable

ZIP 02655 in Barnstable, MA carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $1.2M and rents of $2,322/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 02655 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader MA picture, 02655 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A substantial renter share of 9% in 02655 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 02655, 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 Barnstable:

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× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,322/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Barnstable Town, MA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
48 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.5%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Barnstable Town, MA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 02655

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+11.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$302,039/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $639,176 $2,580 2.9% +9.0% $319,588
3BR $906,117 $3,180 2.5% +10.1% $302,039
4BR $2,060,709 $3,650 1.3% +11.9% $515,177
5BR $4,520,266 +11.0% $904,053

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.3M$1.1M$971K$796K$620K$445KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02655 Compare?

Metric 02655 Barnstable Barnstable Town, MA Massachusetts
Home Value $1,237,646 $827,661 N/A $645,115
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 5.9% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,322 $2,672 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.5% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 02655? 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 02655 (Barnstable, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Barnstable Town, MA metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
61%
Days Pending
1/2
48 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,237,646
Monthly Rent $2,322
Price-to-Rent 44.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.3%
Cap Rate 1.5%
5-Year IRR 7.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.5%). 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
48.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02655

Population: 3,535

💰 Median Household Income
$95,563
This area
$95,563
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
8.5%
This area
8.5%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
55.0%
This area
55.0%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
56.8 years
This area
56.8 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
48.9%
This area
48.9%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 80.4%
Other/Mixed 10.2%
Black/African American 8.0%
Hispanic/Latino 7.0%
Asian 1.4%
👶 Under 18
16.0%
This area
16.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
39.5%
This area
39.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 592 Off-Campus Students
C
Cape Cod Community College
2,604 students · 5.2 mi
C
Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
77 students · 12.5 mi
C+
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
1,362 students · 14.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 592 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 Barnstable, MA?

Rental rates in Barnstable, MA average $2,322/mo. Tenant demand and $1.2M home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How should investors approach Barnstable, MA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Barnstable, MA. The numbers - $1.2M homes against $2,322/mo rents - support that play.

How strong is Barnstable, MA for real estate investors?

Yes - Barnstable, MA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $1.2M home prices against $2,322/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Barnstable, MA?

Barnstable, MA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MA rental market.

What is the average home sale price in Barnstable, MA?

The median home value in Barnstable, MA is roughly $1.2M. That puts it reasonable relative to the MA statewide average.

You know 02655 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02655 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.

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How 02655 ranks in Barnstable Town, MA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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