Real Estate Investing in Thomaston, Maine (04861)

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

Knox County • Population: 2,761 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 04861 (Thomaston, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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

What’s happening in Thomaston, ME (04861)?

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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 $344,882
Avg Monthly Rent $1,242
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,426
% Renters 31.7%

Market Analysis: 04861 Thomaston

ZIP 04861 in Thomaston, ME carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $345K and rents of $1,242/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 04861 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 04861 and stronger Thomaston ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 04861 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The right play in 04861 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Thomaston:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,242/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$369K$321K$273K$225K$178K$130KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 04861 Compare?

Metric 04861 Thomaston Maine
Home Value $344,882 $344,882 $401,109
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 6.0% 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,242 $1,242 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 04861? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 04861 (Thomaston, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $344,882
Monthly Rent $1,242
Price-to-Rent 23.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 8.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
6.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04861

Population: 2,761

💰 Median Household Income
$58,426
This area
$58,426
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.7%
This area
31.7%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.6 years
This area
53.6 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.2%
Other/Mixed 10.5%
Hispanic/Latino 8.8%
Black/African American 1.3%
👶 Under 18
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
29.6%
This area
29.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
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 04861

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
8.7:1 Avg Class Size
$23,992 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Oceanside Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
308 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,992 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Thomaston Grammar School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
156 Students
👨‍🏫
9.1:1 Class Size
💰
$23,992 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
C
Maine Media College
24 students · 8.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the investability score for Thomaston, ME?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Thomaston, ME ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $345K and rents of $1,242/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Thomaston, ME?

Occupancy in Thomaston, ME runs predictable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,242/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How strong is tenant demand in Thomaston, ME?

The tenant pool in Thomaston, ME is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,242/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What is the average home sale price in Thomaston, ME?

Thomaston, ME home values average about $345K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,242/mo in monthly income.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Thomaston, ME?

Rents in Thomaston, ME run near $1,242/mo. Compared with median home prices of $345K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

You know 04861 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 04861 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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