Real Estate Investing in Salem, Connecticut (06420)

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

New London County • Population: 4,323 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 06420 (Salem, CT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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 Salem, CT (06420)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $479,370
Avg Monthly Rent $1,755
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $114,855
% Renters 12.1%

Market Analysis: 06420 Salem

The 06420 ZIP covers a section of Salem that demands careful diligence. Prices near $479K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $1,755/mo on a $479K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 06420 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader CT picture, 06420 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Who lives in 06420 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategically, 06420 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Salem:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,755/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Norwich-New London, CT Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
28 days
Average time to sell
Fast
6.9%
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 Norwich-New London, CT metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 06420

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$137,593/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $306,258 $1,950 4.6% +9.9% $153,129
3BR $429,731 $2,510 4.2% +9.7% $143,244
4BR $550,373 $3,120 4.1% +9.8% $137,593

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$500K$440K$379K$319K$258K$198KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 06420 Compare?

Metric 06420 Salem Norwich-New London, CT Connecticut
Home Value $479,370 $479,370 N/A $425,784
5-Year CAGR 8.3% 8.3% N/A 9.3%
Avg Rent $1,755 $1,755 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 06420? 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 →
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 06420 (Salem, CT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $479,370
Monthly Rent $1,755
Price-to-Rent 22.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 11.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
6.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 06420

Population: 4,323

💰 Median Household Income
$114,855
This area
$114,855
State
$105,835
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.1%
This area
12.1%
State
26.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
54.3%
This area
54.3%
State
27.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.6 years
This area
39.6 years
State
29.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.3%
This area
6.3%
State
10.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.1%
Other/Mixed 8.4%
Hispanic/Latino 7.3%
Asian 0.8%
Black/African American 0.6%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.5%
This area
17.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
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 06420

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.8:1 Avg Class Size
$33,956 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Salem Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
383 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$33,956 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

3 Nearby
B
Connecticut College
1,995 students · 11.0 mi
B+
United States Coast Guard Academy
1,081 students · 11.4 mi
C
Mitchell College
500 students · 14.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Salem, CT?

Typical homes in Salem, CT go for around $479K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% steady price movement.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Salem, CT?

Rental vacancy in Salem, CT is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How does Salem, CT stack up for property investment?

Salem, CT sits at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $479K and average rents around $1,755/mo. That combination puts it in the substantial tier for investor interest.

Is Salem, CT suited for a house hack?

For house hackers, Salem, CT is a challenging. The $1,755/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $479K property.

Is the tenant base reliable in Salem, CT?

The renter base in Salem, CT is reasonable for the $1,755/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

You know 06420 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 06420 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 06420 ranks in Norwich-New London, CT

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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