Real Estate Investing in Morgantown, West Virginia (26505)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 26505 (Morgantown, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- High vacancy: 13.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Morgantown, WV (26505)?
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Market Analysis: 26505 Morgantown
ZIP 26505 in Morgantown, WV carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $261K and rents of $1,361/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
The investment case in 26505 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $261K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Regionally, 26505 sits on the difficult end of the WV spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
Demographically, 26505 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 26505 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Morgantown:
Property Strategy for 26505
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $154,649 | $950 | 4.4% | +3.5% | $154,649 |
| 2BR | $200,940 | $1,190 | 4.3% | +4.6% | $100,470 |
| 3BR | $264,257 | $1,430 | 3.9% | +4.0% | $88,086 |
| 4BR | $341,513 | $1,790 | 3.8% | +4.3% | $85,378 |
| 5BR | $406,184 | — | — | +4.0% | $81,237 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 26505 Compare?
| Metric | 26505 | Morgantown | Morgantown, WV | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $260,501 | $102,494 | N/A | $169,372 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.1% | 3.5% | N/A | 6.1% |
| Avg Rent | $1,361 | $1,518 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.1% | 4.4% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26505 (Morgantown, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $260,501 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,361 |
| Price-to-Rent | 16.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.3% |
| Cap Rate | 4.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +3.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +7.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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.
Demographics in 26505
Population: 37,691
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 26505
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 3,228 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morgantown, WV a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Morgantown, WV ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $261K and rents of $1,361/mo drive the underlying numbers.
Are renters plentiful in Morgantown, WV?
The renter base in Morgantown, WV is reasonable for the $1,361/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.
What is the rental occupancy rate in Morgantown, WV?
Morgantown, WV carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $1,361/mo.
Are homes affordable in Morgantown, WV?
Homes in Morgantown, WV typically sell near $261K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.
What is the smart move for investors in Morgantown, WV?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Morgantown, WV. The numbers - $261K homes against $1,361/mo rents - support that play.
You know 26505 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26505 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.
How 26505 ranks in Morgantown, WV
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