Real Estate Investing in Columbus, Mississippi (39702)

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

Lowndes County • Population: 23,536 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 39702 (Columbus, MS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

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: 13.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Columbus, MS (39702)?

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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 $182,776
Avg Monthly Rent $1,302
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,946
% Renters 34.9%

Market Analysis: 39702 Columbus

Investors eyeing 39702 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $183K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

From a cash-flow lens, the numbers look inviting — $183K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 39702 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Meanwhile, 39702 offers a low basis, the region around Columbus has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 39702 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The right play in 39702 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Columbus:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,302/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Columbus, MS Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.9%
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 Columbus, MS metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$189K$170K$151K$132K$113K$94KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,373$1,355$1,337$1,320$1,302$1,284Apr 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 39702 Compare?

Metric 39702 Columbus Columbus, MS Mississippi
Home Value $182,776 $176,706 N/A $186,446
5-Year CAGR 4.7% 3.3% N/A 4.0%
Avg Rent $1,302 $1,481 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.6% 6.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 39702? 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 39702 (Columbus, MS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.7%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Columbus, MS metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
60%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $182,776
Monthly Rent $1,302
Price-to-Rent 11.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.6%
Cap Rate 5.6%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -2.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.6%). 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
13.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 39702

Population: 23,536

💰 Median Household Income
$49,946
This area
$49,946
State
$48,827
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.9%
This area
34.9%
State
27.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
-17.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.6%
This area
20.6%
State
-11.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.7 years
This area
36.7 years
State
10.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.0%
This area
13.0%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 52.4%
White 46.2%
Other/Mixed 0.8%
Asian 0.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.4%
👶 Under 18
26.4%
This area
26.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.5%
This area
15.5%
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 39702

B Avg School Grade
9 Schools
14.4:1 Avg Class Size
$12,289 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
612 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$11,562 Per Student
B+ Above Average

FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
229 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,197 Per Student
B+ Above Average

SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
275 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,197 Per Student
B Good

NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
1,199 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,562 Per Student
B Good

COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
937 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,197 Per Student
B Good

NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
818 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,562 Per Student
C+ Average

LOWNDES CO VOC COMPLEX

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$11,562 Per Student
C+ Average

MCKELLAR VOCATIONAL CENTER

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$13,197 Per Student
C Below Average

LOWNDES COUNTY ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$11,562 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 238 Off-Campus Students
C+
Mississippi University for Women
2,227 students · 5.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Columbus, MS?

The typical rental in Columbus, MS commands about $1,302/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $183K purchase basis.

How deep is the rental pool in Columbus, MS?

The tenant pool in Columbus, MS is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,302/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What kind of market is Columbus, MS for investors?

Investors tracking Columbus, MS will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $183K median home values and $1,302/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.

How viable is house hacking in Columbus, MS?

The house hack math a challenging in Columbus, MS. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,302/mo rents and $183K home values.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Columbus, MS?

Expect elevated vacancy in Columbus, MS. Rents at $1,302/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

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How 39702 ranks in Columbus, MS

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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