Real Estate Investing in Saint Matthews, South Carolina (29135)

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

Calhoun County • Population: 7,940 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29135 (Saint Matthews, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 14.4% 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 Saint Matthews, SC (29135)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $176,520
Avg Monthly Rent $1,053
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,063
% Renters 22.9%

Market Analysis: 29135 Saint Matthews

ZIP 29135 inside Calhoun County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $177K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 29135 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in Saint Matthews have seen price recovery that 29135 has not matched. Calhoun County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 29135 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Saint Matthews averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

appears 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 Saint Matthews:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,053/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Columbia, SC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
59 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.6%
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 Columbia, SC metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$197K$175K$154K$132K$110K$89KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29135 Compare?

Metric 29135 Saint Matthews Columbia, SC South Carolina
Home Value $176,520 $176,520 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR 2.2% 2.2% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $1,053 $1,053 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29135? 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 29135 (Saint Matthews, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.2%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Columbia, SC metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
52%
Days Pending
1/2
59 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $176,520
Monthly Rent $1,053
Price-to-Rent 14.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.2%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.4% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
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
14.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29135

Population: 7,940

💰 Median Household Income
$49,063
This area
$49,063
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.9%
This area
22.9%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.3%
This area
18.3%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.5 years
This area
47.5 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.4%
This area
14.4%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 48.2%
White 45.3%
Other/Mixed 6.4%
Hispanic/Latino 4.3%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.4%
This area
17.4%
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 29135

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.6:1 Avg Class Size
$17,102 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Calhoun County High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,102 Per Student
A+ Excellent

St. Matthews K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
547 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,102 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 972 Off-Campus Students
C
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
2,146 students · 10.2 mi
C
South Carolina State University
3,041 students · 13.6 mi
C+
Claflin University
1,835 students · 13.7 mi
D
Barber Tech Academy
67 students · 14.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 972 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in Saint Matthews, SC?

Saint Matthews, SC investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($177K prices, $1,053/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Saint Matthews, SC?

The renter base in Saint Matthews, SC is reasonable for the $1,053/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.

How much do tenants pay in Saint Matthews, SC?

Expect rents around $1,053/mo per month in Saint Matthews, SC. With home values at $177K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Is Saint Matthews, SC a good market for FHA house hackers?

Saint Matthews, SC is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $177K price point reasonable to enter.

How expensive is real estate in Saint Matthews, SC?

Median home price in Saint Matthews, SC is near $177K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

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How 29135 ranks in Columbia, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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