Real Estate Investing in Chesapeake, Virginia (23321)

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

Chesapeake City • Population: 39,469 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23321 (Chesapeake, VA)? 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.

What’s happening in Chesapeake, VA (23321)?

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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 $407,299
Avg Monthly Rent $1,871
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $96,235
% Renters 23.8%

Market Analysis: 23321 Chesapeake

The 23321 ZIP covers a section of Chesapeake that demands careful diligence. Prices near $407K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 23321 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Stepping back, 23321 offers a low basis, the region around Chesapeake has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 23321 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 23321, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Chesapeake:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,871/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 23321

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$112,078/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $233,627 $1,730 5.3% +8.5% $116,814
3BR $336,233 $2,400 5.1% +7.2% $112,078
4BR $466,734 $2,820 4.4% +6.9% $116,684
5BR $580,406 +6.7% $116,081

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$422K$379K$335K$292K$248K$205KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,215$2,122$2,029$1,936$1,844$1,751Apr 2023Dec 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23321 Compare?

Metric 23321 Chesapeake Virginia
Home Value $407,299 $402,271 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,871 $2,143 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 23321? 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 23321 (Chesapeake, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $407,299
Monthly Rent $1,871
Price-to-Rent 18.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -13.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
4.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23321

Population: 39,469

💰 Median Household Income
$96,235
This area
$96,235
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.8%
This area
23.8%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
39.4%
This area
39.4%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.8 years
This area
37.8 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 50.9%
Black/African American 37.2%
Other/Mixed 8.1%
Asian 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
👶 Under 18
27.1%
This area
27.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.3%
This area
13.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
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 23321

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
15.0:1 Avg Class Size
$15,216 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Jolliff Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
695 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student
A Very Good

Southwestern Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
550 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Western Branch Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
903 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Edwin W. Chittum Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
759 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Western Branch Intermediate

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
771 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Western Branch Primary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
805 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student
B Good

Western Branch High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,116 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Lakeview Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 1300 Horne Ave, Portsmouth
👥
405 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
A Very Good

Douglass Park Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 34 Grand St, Portsmouth
👥
528 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
A Very Good

Simonsdale Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 4841 Clifford Street, Portsmouth
👥
609 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
A Very Good

William E. Waters Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
📍 600 Roosevelt Blvd, Portsmouth
👥
562 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hodges Manor Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 1201 Cherokee Rd, Portsmouth
👥
457 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 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

8 Nearby 5,169 Off-Campus Students
C
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 7.8 mi
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 8.0 mi
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 8.7 mi
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 9.5 mi
C
Sentara College of Health Sciences
300 students · 10.0 mi
C
Centura College-Chesapeake
225 students · 11.0 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 11.3 mi
C+
Regent University
10,168 students · 12.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,169 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Chesapeake, VA?

The median home value in Chesapeake, VA is roughly $407K. That puts it reasonable relative to the VA statewide average.

Is Chesapeake in VA worth investing in?

Investors tracking Chesapeake, VA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $407K median home values and $1,871/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Chesapeake, VA?

Tenant demand in Chesapeake, VA is solid. The local workforce $1,871/mo rents across most rental classes.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Chesapeake, VA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Chesapeake, VA. Rents at $1,871/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is rental property easy to operate in Chesapeake, VA?

The landlord environment in Chesapeake, VA is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

You know 23321 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 23321 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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