Real Estate Investing in Rocky Mount, North Carolina (27803)

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

Nash County • Population: 19,851 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 27803 (Rocky Mount, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 14.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Rocky Mount, NC (27803)?

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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 $208,411
Avg Monthly Rent $1,248
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,898
% Renters 38.4%

Market Analysis: 27803 Rocky Mount

ZIP 27803 inside Nash County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $208K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $208K asset, 27803 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader NC picture, 27803 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 27803 ZIP's population of 19,851 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 27803 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 Rocky Mount:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,248/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
Rocky Mount, NC Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.5%
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 Rocky Mount, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 27803

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
10.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$43,452/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $86,903 $1,210 10.0% +8.8% $43,452
3BR $198,328 $1,630 5.9% +9.6% $66,109
4BR $309,141 $1,910 4.4% +8.1% $77,285
5BR $372,499 +7.8% $74,500

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$221K$193K$165K$137K$109K$81KApr 2008Jun 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,277$1,193$1,108$1,024$939$854Nov 2024Sep 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 27803 Compare?

Metric 27803 Rocky Mount Rocky Mount, NC North Carolina
Home Value $208,411 $93,641 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.1% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,248 $1,262 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.7% 5.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 27803? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 38% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 27803 (Rocky Mount, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Rocky Mount, NC metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
60%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $208,411
Monthly Rent $1,248
Price-to-Rent 13.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.2%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +22.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
14.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 27803

Population: 19,851

💰 Median Household Income
$55,898
This area
$55,898
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.4%
This area
38.4%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.5%
This area
24.5%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.7 years
This area
47.7 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 51.3%
Black/African American 41.4%
Other/Mixed 7.0%
Hispanic/Latino 4.6%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
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 27803

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
17.5:1 Avg Class Size
$12,433 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Williford Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
253 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,433 Per Student
B Good

Rocky Mount High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
997 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,433 Per Student
B Good

G R Edwards Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
432 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,433 Per Student
C+ Average
👥
238 Students
👨‍🏫
21.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,433 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 1,606 Off-Campus Students
C
Nash Community College
2,425 students · 6.1 mi
C
North Carolina Wesleyan University
1,345 students · 9.6 mi
C
Barton College
1,259 students · 11.7 mi
C
Wilson Community College
1,751 students · 11.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,606 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Rocky Mount, NC?

Rocky Mount, NC rentals go for roughly $1,248/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $208K acquisition costs.

What is it like being a landlord in Rocky Mount, NC?

The landlord environment in Rocky Mount, NC is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

How does Rocky Mount, NC rate as a rental market?

Our data puts Rocky Mount, NC at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $208K and rents around $1,248/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Which real estate strategy fits Rocky Mount, NC?

For Rocky Mount, NC, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Does house hacking make sense in Rocky Mount, NC?

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

You know 27803 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 27803 ranks in Rocky Mount, NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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