Real Estate Investing in Ashland, Mississippi (38603)

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

Benton • Population: 2,602 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38603 (Ashland, MS)? 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: 33.0% 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 Ashland, MS (38603)?

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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 $157,739
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,545
% Renters 9.8%

Market Analysis: 38603 Ashland

The 38603 ZIP in Ashland, MS is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $158K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $837/mo on a $158K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 38603 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 38603 sits on the difficult end of the MS spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Resident income in 38603 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 38603 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $158K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Ashland:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$164K$153K$142K$131K$120K$109KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38603 Compare?

Metric 38603 Ashland Mississippi
Home Value $157,739 $157,739 $186,446
5-Year CAGR 2.7% 2.7% 4.0%
Avg Rent $837 $837 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 38603? 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 38603 (Ashland, MS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $157,739
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 15.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 6.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
33.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38603

Population: 2,602

💰 Median Household Income
$44,545
This area
$44,545
State
$48,827
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
27.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-17.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.5%
This area
15.5%
State
-11.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.6 years
This area
51.6 years
State
10.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
33.0%
This area
33.0%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.1%
Black/African American 19.2%
Other/Mixed 4.6%
Asian 1.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.4%
This area
25.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
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 38603

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.0:1 Avg Class Size
$13,863 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

ASHLAND MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
220 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,863 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ASHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
256 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,863 Per Student
C+ Average

BENTON CO REGIONAL VOCATIONAL CEN

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$13,863 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

2 Nearby
C
Fosters Cosmetology College
22 students · 12.7 mi
C
Blue Mountain Christian University
971 students · 13.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do home prices stand in Ashland, MS?

Ashland, MS home values average about $158K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $837/mo in monthly income.

What are vacancy rates like in Ashland, MS?

Vacancy in Ashland, MS is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $837/mo.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Ashland, MS?

For rental operators, Ashland, MS rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Does house hacking work in Ashland, MS?

House hacking in Ashland, MS is reasonable to execute. Prices around $158K and rents of $837/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What is the typical renter like in Ashland, MS?

Tenant quality in Ashland, MS ranks as solid. Landlords generally report stable occupancy at market rents of $837/mo.

You know 38603 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 38603 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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