Real Estate Investing in Stafford, Virginia (22554)

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

Stafford County • Population: 64,605 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 22554 (Stafford, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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.

What’s happening in Stafford, VA (22554)?

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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 $568,375
Avg Monthly Rent $2,553
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $137,633
% Renters 22.0%

Market Analysis: 22554 Stafford

In practical terms, ZIP 22554 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $568K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $568K asset, 22554 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader VA picture, 22554 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 22554 ZIP's population of 64,605 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

tilts toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Stafford:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,553/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 22554

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$137,863/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $351,891 $2,210 4.5% +7.1% $175,946
3BR $446,702 $2,790 4.5% +6.9% $148,901
4BR $597,724 $3,280 4.0% +6.5% $149,431
5BR $689,314 +6.8% $137,863

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$599K$527K$454K$382K$310K$237KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,670$2,426$2,182$1,937$1,693$1,448Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 22554 Compare?

Metric 22554 Stafford Virginia
Home Value $568,375 $552,779 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 4.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $2,553 $2,616 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 22554? 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 22554 (Stafford, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $568,375
Monthly Rent $2,553
Price-to-Rent 18.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 7.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
5.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 22554

Population: 64,605

💰 Median Household Income
$137,633
This area
$137,633
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.0%
This area
22.0%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
45.3%
This area
45.3%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.0 years
This area
35.0 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 50.3%
Black/African American 25.0%
Other/Mixed 19.9%
Hispanic/Latino 14.6%
Asian 4.7%
👶 Under 18
26.4%
This area
26.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
8.4%
This area
8.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
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 22554

B Avg School Grade
14 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$13,111 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Anthony Burns Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
745 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Kate Waller Barrett Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
787 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Widewater Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
679 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Shirley C. Heim Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
952 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Stafford Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
929 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

Colonial Forge High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,982 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

Brooke Point High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,234 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

Hampton Oaks Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
902 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

Park Ridge Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
879 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

Stafford Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
815 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

Winding Creek Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
838 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

H.H. Poole Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,024 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
B Good

Rodney E. Thompson Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,030 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,111 Per Student
C+ Average

Stafford Academy for Technolgy (STAT)

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$13,111 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

2 Nearby 182 Off-Campus Students
C+
University of Mary Washington
3,808 students · 9.7 mi
C
Eastern Virginia Career College
217 students · 13.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors worry about vacancy in Stafford, VA?

Vacancy in Stafford, VA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,553/mo.

Are homes affordable in Stafford, VA?

Stafford, VA median home values land near $568K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,553/mo-per-month rentals.

What is the best play in Stafford, VA?

Stafford, VA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($568K prices, $2,553/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is the tenant base reliable in Stafford, VA?

Tenant demand in Stafford, VA is solid. The local workforce $2,553/mo rents across most rental classes.

How does Stafford, VA rate as a rental market?

Stafford, VA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $568K and rents near $2,553/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

You know 22554 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 22554 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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