Real Estate Investing in Salisbury, North Carolina (28146)

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

Rowan County • Population: 31,757 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28146 (Salisbury, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

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: 9.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Salisbury, NC (28146)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $306,014
Avg Monthly Rent $1,456
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,547
% Renters 18.4%

Market Analysis: 28146 Salisbury

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 28146 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $306K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 28146 is notable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $306K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 28146 and stronger Salisbury ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The demographic picture in 28146 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Salisbury averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Salisbury:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,456/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 28146

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$102,137/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $228,828 $1,160 3.6% +9.9% $114,414
3BR $312,214 $1,530 3.5% +9.7% $104,071
4BR $408,547 $1,950 3.4% +9.0% $102,137

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$322K$281K$240K$199K$157K$116KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,472$1,426$1,380$1,334$1,287$1,241Jan 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28146 Compare?

Metric 28146 Salisbury North Carolina
Home Value $306,014 $280,218 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 5.4% 5.3% 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,456 $1,378 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 28146? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28146 (Salisbury, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $306,014
Monthly Rent $1,456
Price-to-Rent 17.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28146

Population: 31,757

💰 Median Household Income
$64,547
This area
$64,547
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.1 years
This area
42.1 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.6%
Black/African American 7.1%
Other/Mixed 4.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
23.4%
This area
23.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
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 28146

B Avg School Grade
7 Schools
17.9:1 Avg Class Size
$12,322 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Dole Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,322 Per Student
B Good

Granite Quarry Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
541 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,322 Per Student
B Good

Koontz Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
568 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,322 Per Student
B Good

Erwin Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
812 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,322 Per Student
B Good

Southeast Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
630 Students
👨‍🏫
19.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,322 Per Student
C+ Average

East Rowan High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,072 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,322 Per Student
C+ Average

Rowan Co Early College

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
25.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,322 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

5 Nearby 1,763 Off-Campus Students
C
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
6,862 students · 5.0 mi
C
Hood Theological Seminary
132 students · 5.0 mi
C
Livingstone College
814 students · 6.0 mi
C
Catawba College
1,241 students · 6.9 mi
D
Pfeiffer University
954 students · 11.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,763 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salisbury, NC a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Salisbury, NC will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $306K median home values and $1,456/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.

What are vacancy rates like in Salisbury, NC?

Vacancy in Salisbury, NC is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,456/mo.

What investment strategy works best in Salisbury, NC?

Most investors in Salisbury, NC run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Does Salisbury, NC favor landlords or tenants?

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

What price range are homes in Salisbury, NC?

Median home price in Salisbury, NC is near $306K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

You know 28146 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 28146 ranks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

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