Real Estate Investing in Moravian Falls, North Carolina (28654)

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

Wilkes County • Population: 3,287 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28654 (Moravian Falls, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
  • High vacancy: 25.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Moravian Falls, NC (28654)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $240,878
Avg Monthly Rent $1,080
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $47,656
% Renters 18.8%

Market Analysis: 28654 Moravian Falls

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Moravian Falls's 28654 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $241K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 28654 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $241K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

From a cash-flow lens, 28654 offers a low basis, the region around Moravian Falls has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 28654 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The 28654 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Moravian Falls:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,080/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
North Wilkesboro, NC Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
5.7%
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 North Wilkesboro, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 28654

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$88,521/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $218,285 $1,200 4.0% $109,142
3BR $265,564 $1,600 4.3% +7.7% $88,521

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$256K$221K$187K$153K$118K$84KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28654 Compare?

Metric 28654 Moravian Falls North Wilkesboro, NC North Carolina
Home Value $240,878 $240,878 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,080 $1,080 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 28654? 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 →
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 28654 (Moravian Falls, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on North Wilkesboro, NC metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
3/3
79%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $240,878
Monthly Rent $1,080
Price-to-Rent 18.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
25.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28654

Population: 3,287

💰 Median Household Income
$47,656
This area
$47,656
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.8%
This area
18.8%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.2%
This area
0.2%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.8%
This area
21.8%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.1 years
This area
53.1 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
25.9%
This area
25.9%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.4%
Asian 5.7%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
Black/African American 0.9%
Hispanic/Latino 0.5%
👶 Under 18
12.9%
This area
12.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
33.8%
This area
33.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
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 28654

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
16.0:1 Avg Class Size
$12,482 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Central Wilkes Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
569 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$12,482 Per Student
B Good

Moravian Falls Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,482 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

1 Nearby 331 Off-Campus Students
C+
Wilkes Community College
2,405 students · 5.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Moravian Falls, NC?

Rental rates in Moravian Falls, NC average $1,080/mo. Tenant demand and $241K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What kind of tenants rent in Moravian Falls, NC?

Tenant quality in Moravian Falls, NC ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $1,080/mo.

How does Moravian Falls, NC stack up for property investment?

Moravian Falls, NC stands at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $241K and average rents around $1,080/mo. That combination puts it in the solid tier for investor interest.

Is Moravian Falls, NC a good market for FHA house hackers?

Moravian Falls, NC is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $241K price point reasonable to enter.

How should investors approach Moravian Falls, NC?

Most investors in Moravian Falls, 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.

You know 28654 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 28654 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.

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How 28654 ranks in North Wilkesboro, NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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