Real Estate Investing in Nanticoke, Maryland (21840)

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

Wicomico County • Population: 573 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 21840 (Nanticoke, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

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: 58.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 12.3% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Nanticoke, MD (21840)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $257,622
Avg Monthly Rent $1,242
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income N/A
% Renters 26.3%

Market Analysis: 21840 Nanticoke

Investors eyeing 21840 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $258K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $258K asset, 21840 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within MD, ZIP 21840 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Wicomico County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 21840 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.

The 21840 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Nanticoke:

Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost × the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,242/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Salisbury, MD-DE Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
76 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.0%
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 Salisbury, MD-DE metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$278K$243K$209K$175K$141K$107KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21840 Compare?

Metric 21840 Nanticoke Salisbury, MD-DE Maryland
Home Value $257,622 $257,622 N/A $424,997
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,242 $1,242 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 21840? 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 21840 (Nanticoke, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $257,622
Monthly Rent $1,242
Price-to-Rent 17.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
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
58.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21840

Population: 573

💰 Median Household Income
N/A
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.3%
This area
26.3%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
12.3%
This area
12.3%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.2%
This area
17.2%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.9 years
This area
46.9 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
58.0%
This area
58.0%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 73.6%
Other/Mixed 22.9%
Black/African American 3.5%
👶 Under 18
23.5%
This area
23.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.7%
This area
30.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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

1 Nearby 11 Off-Campus Students
C+
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
2,844 students · 11.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How do experienced investors play Nanticoke, MD?

The best-fit strategy in Nanticoke, MD is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How much is rent in Nanticoke, MD?

Nanticoke, MD rentals go for roughly $1,242/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $258K acquisition costs.

How strong is tenant demand in Nanticoke, MD?

Nanticoke, MD draws a even-keeled base of working renters. Demand at the $1,242/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What does house hacking look like in Nanticoke, MD?

For house hackers, Nanticoke, MD is a challenging. The $1,242/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $258K property.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Nanticoke, MD?

Nanticoke, MD carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect predictable absorption at market rents of $1,242/mo.

You know 21840 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 21840 ranks in Salisbury, MD-DE

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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