Real Estate Investing in Saint Simons Island, Georgia (31522)

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

Glynn County • Population: 17,603 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 31522 (Saint Simons Island, GA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

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: 34.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Saint Simons Island, GA (31522)?

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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 $677,833
Avg Monthly Rent $2,971
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $99,738
% Renters 16.4%

Market Analysis: 31522 Saint Simons Island

Investors eyeing 31522 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $678K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 31522 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $678K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 31522 and stronger Saint Simons Island ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 31522 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategically, 31522 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Simons Island:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,971/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
Brunswick, GA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
81 days
Average time to sell
Slow
5.9%
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 Brunswick, GA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 31522

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+13.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$201,779/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $320,265 $1,660 3.7% +6.2% $320,265
2BR $403,558 $1,940 3.5% +7.4% $201,779
3BR $640,577 $2,330 2.6% +9.5% $213,526
4BR $1,027,707 $2,860 2.0% +11.6% $256,927
5BR $1,752,937 +13.6% $350,587

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$723K$628K$533K$438K$343K$248KJan 2008May 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,019$2,881$2,744$2,606$2,468$2,331Jan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 31522 Compare?

Metric 31522 Saint Simons Island Brunswick, GA Georgia
Home Value $677,833 $677,833 N/A $329,538
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $2,971 $2,971 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 31522? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 31522 (Saint Simons Island, GA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Brunswick, GA metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
74%
Days Pending
2/2
81 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $677,833
Monthly Rent $2,971
Price-to-Rent 19.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +0.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
34.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 31522

Population: 17,603

💰 Median Household Income
$99,738
This area
$99,738
State
$64,001
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.4%
This area
16.4%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-18.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
54.6%
This area
54.6%
State
-3.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
58.4 years
This area
58.4 years
State
10.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
34.1%
This area
34.1%
State
15.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.0%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.6%
Black/African American 1.5%
Asian 0.5%
👶 Under 18
12.9%
This area
12.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
39.0%
This area
39.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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 31522

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.6:1 Avg Class Size
$16,044 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Oglethorpe Point Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
523 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,044 Per Student
A Very Good

St. Simons Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
488 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,044 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 376 Off-Campus Students
C
College of Coastal Georgia
3,189 students · 8.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How viable is house hacking in Saint Simons Island, GA?

For house hackers, Saint Simons Island, GA is a challenging. The $2,971/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $678K property.

Should investors consider Saint Simons Island, GA?

Saint Simons Island, GA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $678K and rents near $2,971/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is the average home sale price in Saint Simons Island, GA?

Homes in Saint Simons Island, GA typically sell near $678K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

Is rental property easy to operate in Saint Simons Island, GA?

Saint Simons Island, GA operates under GA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What do rentals go for in Saint Simons Island, GA?

The typical rental in Saint Simons Island, GA commands about $2,971/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $678K purchase basis.

You know 31522 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 31522 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 31522 ranks in Brunswick, GA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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