Real Estate Investing in Vardaman, Mississippi (38878)

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

Calhoun County • Population: 2,642 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38878 (Vardaman, MS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.0% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 6.1% in the last year.

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

What’s happening in Vardaman, MS (38878)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $117,906
Avg Monthly Rent $756
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $45,275
% Renters 20.3%

Market Analysis: 38878 Vardaman

The 38878 ZIP in Vardaman, MS is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $118K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 38878 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Put differently, 38878 offers a low basis, the region around Vardaman has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 38878 ZIP's population of 2,642 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 38878 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $118K 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 Vardaman:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-6.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $756/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 38878

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.4% cap rate
Best Overall Value
3BR
$39,081/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $81,279 $840 7.4% $40,639
3BR $117,242 $1,170 7.2% $39,081
4BR $163,595 $1,420 6.2% $40,899

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$146K$138K$130K$123K$115K$107KFeb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38878 Compare?

Metric 38878 Vardaman Mississippi
Home Value $117,906 $117,906 $186,446
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 4.0%
Avg Rent $756 $756 -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 38878? 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 38878 (Vardaman, MS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
-1.0%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $117,906
Monthly Rent $756
Price-to-Rent 13.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.7%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 4.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -6.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -6.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.0% ▼
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
14.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.0%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38878

Population: 2,642

💰 Median Household Income
$45,275
This area
$45,275
State
$48,827
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.3%
This area
20.3%
State
27.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-17.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.3%
This area
10.3%
State
-11.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.0 years
This area
40.0 years
State
10.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 66.6%
Other/Mixed 18.9%
Hispanic/Latino 18.1%
Black/African American 14.6%
👶 Under 18
24.6%
This area
24.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.5%
This area
9.5%
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 38878

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.5:1 Avg Class Size
$12,001 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

VARDAMAN ATTENDANCE CENTER

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
629 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,001 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to find good tenants in Vardaman, MS?

Working renters make up the core of the Vardaman, MS tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Vardaman, MS?

Vardaman, MS sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MS rental market.

What type of investing works in Vardaman, MS?

Vardaman, MS investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($118K prices, $756/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Are landlord laws favorable in Vardaman, MS?

MS law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Vardaman inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is Vardaman, MS a smart market for rental property?

Investors tracking Vardaman, MS will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $118K median home values and $756/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

You know 38878 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 38878 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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