Real Estate Investing in Charleston, Mississippi (38921)

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

Tallahatchie County • Population: 5,010 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 38921 (Charleston, MS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 20.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -4.0% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 26.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $39,428 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Charleston, MS (38921)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $104,201
Avg Monthly Rent $756
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $39,428
% Renters 38.1%

Market Analysis: 38921 Charleston

ZIP 38921 inside Tallahatchie County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $104K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $104K asset, 38921 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader MS picture, 38921 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

From a cash-flow lens, 5,010 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 38921 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Charleston:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.2%)
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 38921

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.8% cap rate
Best Overall Value
2BR
$34,212/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $68,425 $840 8.8% $34,212
3BR $105,080 $1,100 7.5% $35,027

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$149K$137K$126K$114K$103K$91KFeb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38921 Compare?

Metric 38921 Charleston Mississippi
Home Value $104,201 $104,201 $186,446
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 4.0%
Avg Rent $756 $756 -
Cap Rate 5.7% 5.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 38921? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 38% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 38921 (Charleston, MS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 38921 (Charleston, MS)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
-4.0%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $104,201
Monthly Rent $756
Price-to-Rent 11.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.7%
Cap Rate 5.7%
5-Year IRR 1.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR -4.0% ▼
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: 5.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.7%). 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
20.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-4.0%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38921

Population: 5,010

💰 Median Household Income
$39,428
This area
$39,428
State
$48,827
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.1%
This area
38.1%
State
27.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
-17.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
-11.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.9 years
This area
35.9 years
State
10.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.5%
This area
20.5%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 60.7%
White 36.7%
Other/Mixed 2.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.1%
👶 Under 18
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
26.1%
This area
26.1%
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 38921

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,281 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

CHARLESTON HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
272 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,281 Per Student
A Very Good

CHARLESTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
322 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,281 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
206 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,281 Per Student
C+ Average

E TALLAHATCHIE VOC CENTER

📚 07 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$14,281 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

What is the typical home price in Charleston, MS?

The median home value in Charleston, MS is roughly $104K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MS statewide average.

How viable is house hacking in Charleston, MS?

Charleston, MS is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $104K price point reasonable to enter.

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

Tenant quality in Charleston, MS ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $756/mo.

How strict are landlord regulations in Charleston, MS?

Charleston, MS falls under MS landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Where do rents currently stand in Charleston, MS?

Expect rents around $756/mo per month in Charleston, MS. With home values at $104K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 38921 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 38921 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.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 38921 (Charleston)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 38921 (Charleston, MS).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.