Real Estate Investing in Portsmouth, Virginia (23702)

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

Portsmouth City • Population: 12,087 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23702 (Portsmouth, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (70/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
1 flag
  • Elevated poverty: 20.5% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

What’s happening in Portsmouth, VA (23702)?

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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 $229,750
Avg Monthly Rent $1,603
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $45,772
% Renters 53.2%

Market Analysis: 23702 Portsmouth

Investors eyeing 23702 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $230K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $230K asset, 23702 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within VA, ZIP 23702 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Portsmouth City submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 23702 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The 23702 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Portsmouth:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,603/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 23702

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
6.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$73,379/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $183,099 $1,480 5.8% +7.8% $91,549
3BR $228,684 $2,050 6.5% +8.1% $76,228
4BR $293,515 $2,420 5.9% +7.1% $73,379

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$241K$212K$184K$155K$127K$98KJun 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,754$1,659$1,564$1,470$1,375$1,280Jun 2024Jul 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23702 Compare?

Metric 23702 Portsmouth Virginia
Home Value $229,750 $189,001 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 5.7% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,603 $1,625 -
Cap Rate 5.4% 4.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 23702? Click to expand

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

53% 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 23702 (Portsmouth, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $229,750
Monthly Rent $1,603
Price-to-Rent 12.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.4%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 11.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +8.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.4%). 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
7.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23702

Population: 12,087

💰 Median Household Income
$45,772
This area
$45,772
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
53.2%
This area
53.2%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.4%
This area
7.4%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
30.7 years
This area
30.7 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 52.6%
White 35.8%
Other/Mixed 10.4%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
Asian 1.2%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.1%
This area
9.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.5%
This area
20.5%
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 23702

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.5:1 Avg Class Size
$14,083 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Cradock Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
606 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
A Very Good

Cradock Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
526 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 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

George W. Carver Intermediate

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
📍 2601 Broad St, Chesapeake
👥
523 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,216 Per Student
A Very Good

Park View Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 260 Elm Ave, Portsmouth
👥
473 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
A Very Good

Portlock Primary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
📍 1857 Varsity Dr, Chesapeake
👥
547 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 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 5,169 Off-Campus Students
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 3.8 mi
C
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 4.2 mi
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 4.8 mi
C
Sentara College of Health Sciences
300 students · 5.0 mi
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 5.9 mi
C
Centura College-Chesapeake
225 students · 6.0 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 6.7 mi
C+
Regent University
10,168 students · 7.3 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portsmouth, VA a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Portsmouth, VA reflects its $230K prices and $1,603/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within VA.

How strong are rents in Portsmouth, VA?

The typical rental in Portsmouth, VA commands about $1,603/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $230K purchase basis.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Portsmouth, VA?

Portsmouth, VA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect measured absorption at market rents of $1,603/mo.

What is the average home sale price in Portsmouth, VA?

Typical homes in Portsmouth, VA go for around $230K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Portsmouth, VA?

Portsmouth, VA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,603/mo rent level.

You know 23702 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 23702 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.

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How 23702 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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