Real Estate Investing in Norfolk, Virginia (23523)

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

Norfolk City • Population: 7,698 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 23523 (Norfolk, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Elevated poverty: 28.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $34,201 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Norfolk, VA (23523)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $261,643
Avg Monthly Rent $2,317
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $34,201
% Renters 68.2%

Market Analysis: 23523 Norfolk

This part of Norfolk City is not an easy win. The 23523 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 23523 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 23523's metrics run below Norfolk City's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Put differently, 7,698 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 23523, 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 Norfolk:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,317/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 23523

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$75,117/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $175,192 $1,410 5.8% +9.5% $87,596
3BR $242,239 $1,960 5.8% +6.9% $80,746
4BR $300,468 $2,300 5.5% +6.7% $75,117

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$273K$241K$209K$177K$144K$112KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,420$2,230$2,040$1,850$1,660$1,470Aug 2025Jan 2026May 2026

📊 How Does 23523 Compare?

Metric 23523 Norfolk Virginia
Home Value $261,643 $281,864 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.0% 4.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $2,317 $1,780 -
Cap Rate 6.9% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 23523? Click to expand

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

68% 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 23523 (Norfolk, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 23523 (Norfolk, VA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free
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
6.9%
Good
5yr Growth
+5.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $261,643
Monthly Rent $2,317
Price-to-Rent 9.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.6%
Cap Rate 6.9%
5-Year IRR 11.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.9%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
11.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23523

Population: 7,698

💰 Median Household Income
$34,201
This area
$34,201
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
68.2%
This area
68.2%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.5%
This area
11.5%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
30.9 years
This area
30.9 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.4%
This area
11.4%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 93.4%
White 4.5%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
👶 Under 18
32.0%
This area
32.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
8.6%
This area
8.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
28.4%
This area
28.4%
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 23523

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.1:1 Avg Class Size
$15,833 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good
👥
701 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

St. Helena Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
230 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average
👥
172 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Chesterfield Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2915 Westminster Ave, Norfolk
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Ruffner School

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

Lindenwood Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2700 Ludlow St, Norfolk
👥
242 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 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

George W. Carver Intermediate

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
📍 2601 Broad St, Chesapeake
👥
523 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 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 · 1.2 mi
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 1.6 mi
C
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 2.5 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 3.1 mi
C
Sentara College of Health Sciences
300 students · 4.2 mi
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 4.2 mi
C+
Central School of Practical Nursing
24 students · 4.3 mi
F
Fortis College-Norfolk
431 students · 4.6 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norfolk, VA a smart market for rental property?

Yes - Norfolk, VA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $262K home prices against $2,317/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How much is rent in Norfolk, VA?

Average rent in Norfolk, VA is approximately $2,317/mo per month. Against $262K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

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

Norfolk, VA offers a even-keeled renter base at the $2,317/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is Norfolk, VA good for house hacking?

Norfolk, VA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $262K price point reasonable to enter.

Which investment style suits Norfolk, VA?

In Norfolk, VA the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $262K prices and $2,317/mo rents suits that approach.

You know 23523 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 23523 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 23523 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 23523 (Norfolk)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 23523 (Norfolk, VA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.