Real Estate Investing in Suffolk, Virginia (23438)

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

Suffolk City • Population: 1,620 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23438 (Suffolk, 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.

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

What’s happening in Suffolk, VA (23438)?

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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 $361,712
Avg Monthly Rent $1,800
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,231
% Renters 11.0%

Market Analysis: 23438 Suffolk

The 23438 ZIP covers a section of Suffolk that demands careful diligence. Prices near $362K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

On balance, the numbers look inviting — $362K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 23438 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Regionally, 23438 sits on the difficult end of the VA spectrum. The a solid fit for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

A solid renter share of 11% in 23438 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 23438 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 Suffolk:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,800/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 23438

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$115,639/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $346,918 $2,790 5.8% +8.1% $115,639
4BR $470,719 $3,320 5.1% +8.1% $117,680

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$376K$334K$291K$249K$206K$164KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23438 Compare?

Metric 23438 Suffolk Virginia
Home Value $361,712 $438,534 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 5.5% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,800 $1,778 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 23438? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 23438 (Suffolk, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $361,712
Monthly Rent $1,800
Price-to-Rent 16.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.0%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
4.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23438

Population: 1,620

💰 Median Household Income
$84,231
This area
$84,231
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.0%
This area
11.0%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.6%
This area
20.6%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.7 years
This area
42.7 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.4%
Black/African American 12.5%
Other/Mixed 5.8%
Asian 2.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
👶 Under 18
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.1%
This area
22.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.3%
This area
6.3%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 280 Off-Campus Students
C
Paul D Camp Community College
1,168 students · 14.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Suffolk, VA a good investment right now?

Suffolk, VA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $362K and rents near $1,800/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What approach is best for Suffolk, VA real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Suffolk, VA. The numbers - $362K homes against $1,800/mo rents - support that play.

Is housing expensive in Suffolk, VA?

Suffolk, VA median home values land near $362K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,800/mo-per-month rentals.

How tight is the rental market in Suffolk, VA?

Vacancy risk in Suffolk, VA is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does house hacking make sense in Suffolk, VA?

House hacking works a challenging in Suffolk, VA. Rents of $1,800/mo against $362K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

You know 23438 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 23438 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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