Real Estate Investing in Barnstable, Massachusetts (02601)

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

Barnstable County • Population: 16,066 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 02601 (Barnstable, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 23.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Barnstable, MA (02601)?

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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 $566,050
Avg Monthly Rent $2,763
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $63,432
% Renters 49.2%

Market Analysis: 02601 Barnstable

Investors eyeing 02601 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $566K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

From an investor standpoint, the numbers look inviting — $566K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 02601 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Regionally, 02601 sits on the difficult end of the MA spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

A impressive renter share of 49% in 02601 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 02601 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $566K 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 Barnstable:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,763/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 02601

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+11.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$169,131/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $302,676 $1,860 4.4% +11.8% $302,676
2BR $440,112 $2,440 4.0% +9.7% $220,056
3BR $584,201 $3,010 3.7% +9.3% $194,734
4BR $676,522 $3,450 3.7% +9.7% $169,131
5BR $1,298,706 +11.6% $259,741

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$601K$517K$433K$349K$265K$181KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,226$3,121$3,017$2,912$2,808$2,704Nov 2024Sep 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 02601 Compare?

Metric 02601 Barnstable Barnstable Town, MA Massachusetts
Home Value $566,050 $827,661 N/A $645,115
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.9% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,763 $2,672 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 02601? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 49% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 02601 (Barnstable, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📉 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 $566,050
Monthly Rent $2,763
Price-to-Rent 17.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -11.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
23.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 02601

Population: 16,066

💰 Median Household Income
$63,432
This area
$63,432
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
49.2%
This area
49.2%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.3%
This area
25.3%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.7 years
This area
39.7 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.4%
Other/Mixed 21.3%
Hispanic/Latino 18.6%
Black/African American 13.4%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.3%
This area
15.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
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 02601

A+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$25,499 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Barnstable Intermediate School

📚 06 – 07 Middle
👥
639 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$26,364 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hyannis West Elementary

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
342 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,364 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Barnstable Community Innovation School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
309 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,364 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Sturgis Charter Public School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
826 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,175 Per Student
A Very Good

Barnstable High

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
1,756 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$26,364 Per Student
A Very Good

Enoch Cobb Early Learning Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
153 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$26,364 Per Student

Nearby Schools (2 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Centerville Elementary

📚 K – 03 Elementary
📍 658 Bay Ln, Centerville
👥
260 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$26,364 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marguerite E Small Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
📍 440 Higgins Crowell Rd, West Yarmouth
👥
275 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$29,737 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

1 Nearby 515 Off-Campus Students
C
Cape Cod Community College
2,604 students · 3.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 515 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What monthly rent should investors expect in Barnstable, MA?

Barnstable, MA rentals go for roughly $2,763/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $566K acquisition costs.

How high is vacancy risk in Barnstable, MA?

Vacancy in Barnstable, MA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,763/mo.

How does Barnstable, MA stack up for property investment?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Barnstable, MA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $566K and rents of $2,763/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How do experienced investors play Barnstable, MA?

Barnstable, MA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($566K prices, $2,763/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What is the tenant pool like in Barnstable, MA?

Working renters make up the core of the Barnstable, MA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 02601 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 02601 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 02601 ranks in Barnstable Town, MA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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