Real Estate Investing in Kinston, North Carolina (28504)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 28504 (Kinston, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Kinston, NC (28504)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 28504 Kinston
This part of Lenoir County is not an easy win. The 28504 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $189K asset, 28504 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Within NC, ZIP 28504 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Lenoir County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.
Who lives in 28504 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategy in 28504 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $189K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Kinston:
Property Strategy for 28504
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $113,111 | $960 | 6.1% | +12.3% | $56,556 |
| 3BR | $194,687 | $1,290 | 4.8% | +10.7% | $64,896 |
| 4BR | $267,717 | $1,500 | 4.0% | +9.8% | $66,929 |
| 5BR | $326,706 | — | — | +9.3% | $65,341 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 28504 Compare?
| Metric | 28504 | Kinston | Kinston, NC | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $189,416 | $144,042 | N/A | $330,565 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.9% | 9.3% | N/A | 7.8% |
| Avg Rent | $864 | $888 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.6% | 5.4% | - | - |
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 28504 (Kinston, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $189,416 |
| Monthly Rent | $864 |
| Price-to-Rent | 18.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.5% |
| Cap Rate | 3.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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 28504
Population: 20,325
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 28504
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 1,322 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinston in NC worth investing in?
Our data puts Kinston, NC at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $189K and rents around $864/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
What approach is best for Kinston, NC real estate?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Kinston, NC. The numbers - $189K homes against $864/mo rents - support that play.
Are tenants stable in Kinston, NC?
Working renters make up the core of the Kinston, NC tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
What are home prices like in Kinston, NC?
Median home price in Kinston, NC is near $189K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
What are rental rates like in Kinston, NC?
Rental rates in Kinston, NC average $864/mo. Tenant demand and $189K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
You know 28504 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 28504 ranks in Kinston, NC
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