Real Estate Investing in Portsmouth, Virginia (23703)

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

Portsmouth City • Population: 26,364 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23703 (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 vacancy: 8.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Portsmouth, VA (23703)?

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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 $327,126
Avg Monthly Rent $1,895
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,822
% Renters 30.8%

Market Analysis: 23703 Portsmouth

The 23703 ZIP covers a section of Portsmouth that demands careful diligence. Prices near $327K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $1,895/mo on a $327K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 23703 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Nearby ZIPs in Portsmouth have seen price recovery that 23703 has not matched. Portsmouth City data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 23703 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 23703, 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 Portsmouth:

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 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,895/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 23703

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$93,125/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $195,157 $1,650 6.1% +7.9% $97,578
3BR $306,239 $2,290 5.4% +7.4% $102,080
4BR $373,063 $2,690 5.2% +7.2% $93,266
5BR $465,624 +6.6% $93,125

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$339K$304K$268K$232K$197K$161KJun 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,962$1,919$1,876$1,833$1,790$1,747Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23703 Compare?

Metric 23703 Portsmouth Virginia
Home Value $327,126 $189,001 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.3% 5.7% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,895 $1,625 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 23703? 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 23703 (Portsmouth, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $327,126
Monthly Rent $1,895
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +6.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
8.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23703

Population: 26,364

💰 Median Household Income
$72,822
This area
$72,822
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.8%
This area
30.8%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.7 years
This area
35.7 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 45.3%
White 41.4%
Other/Mixed 11.4%
Hispanic/Latino 5.1%
Asian 1.7%
👶 Under 18
25.5%
This area
25.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.7%
This area
13.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
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 23703

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
15.0:1 Avg Class Size
$14,083 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Churchland Preschool Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
114 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Churchland Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
840 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Churchland Academy Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
600 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Churchland Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
760 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Churchland Primary & Intermediate

📚 K – 06 School
👥
511 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,083 Per Student
B Good

Churchland High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,452 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 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 5,182 Off-Campus Students
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 3.6 mi
C
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 4.1 mi
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 4.9 mi
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 6.5 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 7.6 mi
C
Centura College-Norfolk
193 students · 7.9 mi
D
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
237 students · 8.8 mi
C+
Central School of Practical Nursing
24 students · 8.9 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 Portsmouth, VA a good place for real estate investing?

Portsmouth, VA reflects an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $327K and average rents around $1,895/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

What is the typical rental rate in Portsmouth, VA?

Investors in Portsmouth, VA typically see rents near $1,895/mo per month against $327K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What is the typical home price in Portsmouth, VA?

In Portsmouth, VA the median home value sits at $327K. Against the broader VA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

What type of investing works in Portsmouth, VA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Portsmouth, VA. With home values at $327K and rents near $1,895/mo, other strategies can work but produce steady rather than outsized returns.

Does Portsmouth, VA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Portsmouth, VA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 23703 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 23703 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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