Real Estate Investing in Norfolk, Virginia (23504)

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

Norfolk City • Population: 24,052 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23504 (Norfolk, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (55/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Elevated poverty: 31.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 8.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
  • Lower household income: $39,611 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Norfolk, VA (23504)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $273,366
Avg Monthly Rent $1,650
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $39,611
% Renters 66.1%

Market Analysis: 23504 Norfolk

The 23504 ZIP in Norfolk, VA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $273K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 23504 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader VA picture, 23504 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 23504 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 23504 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Norfolk:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,650/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 23504

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$68,831/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $188,369 $1,450 5.5% +9.1% $94,184
3BR $257,924 $2,010 5.6% +7.2% $85,975
4BR $323,752 $2,370 5.3% +7.1% $80,938
5BR $344,154 +6.2% $68,831

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$285K$253K$220K$188K$155K$123KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,716$1,628$1,539$1,450$1,361$1,272Jan 2023Oct 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23504 Compare?

Metric 23504 Norfolk Virginia
Home Value $273,366 $281,864 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.1% 4.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,650 $1,780 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 23504? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

66% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 23504 (Norfolk, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Norfolk City County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Real Property Management helps protect investments, provide professional service, minimize costs, and maximize income for property owners. summary from their website

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OV Living offers 1 & 2 bedroom apartments in Norfolk, Virginia, with spacious layouts, light-filled rooms, and convenient features. summary from their website

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Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.1%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $273,366
Monthly Rent $1,650
Price-to-Rent 13.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.2%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +8.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
10.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23504

Population: 24,052

💰 Median Household Income
$39,611
This area
$39,611
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
66.1%
This area
66.1%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.3%
This area
22.3%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
28.7 years
This area
28.7 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.3%
This area
10.3%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 79.6%
White 12.9%
Other/Mixed 6.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
27.0%
This area
27.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.1%
This area
10.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
31.2%
This area
31.2%
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 23504

A Avg School Grade
6 Schools
11.6:1 Avg Class Size
$15,833 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Chesterfield Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Ruffner School

📚 03 – 08 School
👥
540 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Lindenwood Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
242 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Jacox Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
567 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Richard Bowling Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
462 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Booker T Washington High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
955 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Southside STEM Academy at Campostella

📚 K – 08 School
📍 1106 Campostella Rd., Norfolk
👥
701 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Willard Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1511 Willow Wood Dr, Norfolk
👥
449 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

P.B. Young Sr. Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
📍 543 E. Olney Rd, Norfolk
👥
217 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

St. Helena Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 903 S Main St, Norfolk
👥
230 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Academy for Discovery at Lakewood

📚 03 – 08 School
📍 1701 Alsace Ave, Norfolk
👥
730 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 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 5,182 Off-Campus Students
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 0.6 mi
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 1.5 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 1.9 mi
C
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 2.0 mi
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 3.1 mi
C+
Central School of Practical Nursing
24 students · 3.2 mi
C
Centura College-Norfolk
193 students · 4.0 mi
F
Fortis College-Norfolk
431 students · 4.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,182 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Norfolk, VA?

The typical rental in Norfolk, VA commands about $1,650/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $273K purchase basis.

How do home values compare in Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk, VA median home values land near $273K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,650/mo-per-month rentals.

What investment strategy works best in Norfolk, VA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Norfolk, VA. The numbers - $273K homes against $1,650/mo rents - support that play.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Norfolk, VA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Norfolk, VA. Rents at $1,650/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is Norfolk, VA good for landlords?

Landlord-friendliness in Norfolk, VA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

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How 23504 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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