Real Estate Investing in Moundsville, West Virginia (26041)

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

Marshall County • Population: 15,706 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26041 (Moundsville, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (62/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

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

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.3% CAGR).

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

What’s happening in Moundsville, WV (26041)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $131,167
Avg Monthly Rent $909
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,578
% Renters 23.7%

Market Analysis: 26041 Moundsville

ZIP 26041 in Moundsville, WV carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $131K and rents of $909/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 26041 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 26041 and stronger Moundsville ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 26041 ZIP's population of 15,706 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 26041 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Moundsville:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $909/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Wheeling, WV-OH Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Wheeling, WV-OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 26041

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
9.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+3.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$43,055/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $66,090 $830 9.0% +0.3% $66,090
2BR $99,354 $1,010 7.3% +2.0% $49,677
3BR $147,424 $1,300 6.3% +2.7% $49,141
4BR $172,220 $1,440 6.0% +3.9% $43,055

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$137K$123K$109K$95K$82K$68KApr 2007Dec 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26041 Compare?

Metric 26041 Moundsville Wheeling, WV-OH West Virginia
Home Value $131,167 $139,491 N/A $169,372
5-Year CAGR 1.3% 2.7% N/A 6.1%
Avg Rent $909 $914 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.4% 5.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 26041? 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 26041 (Moundsville, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.3%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $131,167
Monthly Rent $909
Price-to-Rent 12.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.3%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 6.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
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
17.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.3%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26041

Population: 15,706

💰 Median Household Income
$54,578
This area
$54,578
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.7%
This area
23.7%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.0%
This area
13.0%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.9 years
This area
43.9 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.0%
This area
17.0%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Other/Mixed 5.2%
Hispanic/Latino 3.9%
Black/African American 0.9%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.4%
This area
20.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.0%
This area
14.0%
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 26041

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
10.6:1 Avg Class Size
$18,348 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Moundsville Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
402 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,348 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Central Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
258 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,348 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Mcninch Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
366 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,348 Per Student
A Very Good

Washington Lands Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
238 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,348 Per Student
B Good

Gateway Achievement Center

📚 05 – 12 High School
👥
42 Students
👨‍🏫
8.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,348 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

4 Nearby 484 Off-Campus Students
B
B M Spurr School of Practical Nursing
16 students · 4.0 mi
C
West Virginia Northern Community College
1,263 students · 11.5 mi
D
Wheeling University
748 students · 12.0 mi
C
Elite Academy of Hair Design
84 students · 12.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What investment strategy works best in Moundsville, WV?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Moundsville, WV. The numbers - $131K homes against $909/mo rents - support that play.

How much is rent in Moundsville, WV?

Investors in Moundsville, WV typically see rents near $909/mo per month against $131K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Are homes affordable in Moundsville, WV?

Homes in Moundsville, WV typically sell near $131K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Moundsville, WV?

Moundsville, WV carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $909/mo.

Can I house hack in Moundsville, WV?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Moundsville, WV reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 26041 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 26041 ranks in Wheeling, WV-OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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