Real Estate Investing in Cumberland, Kentucky (40855)

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

Harlan County • Population: 782 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 40855 (Cumberland, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (84/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
5.0 / 5 (100/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 36.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 20.5% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $27,778 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Cumberland, KY (40855)?

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.
5.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

5.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $55,519
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $27,778
% Renters 33.0%

Market Analysis: 40855 Cumberland

Within Harlan County, the 40855 ZIP shows a lower entry point around $56K. On the rental side, operators who can improve stock here typically see outsized uplift.

In 40855, the deal is made on the buy and on the capex. substantial entry prices of $56K leave room in the budget for light-to-medium renovation, with rent lift to match.

Across KY, value-add opportunity tends to concentrate where housing stock is older and entry prices are below the state median. ZIP 40855 clocks in at both traits clearly.

A renter-heavy, wage-earner demographic anchors 40855. Value-add players rely on that mix — the 33% share is both the tenant source and the buyer pool for future owner-occupied exits.

Flippers with local expertise can do well in 40855. Out-of-state investors should partner with boots-on-the-ground operators or skip the ZIP entirely.

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 Cumberland:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$58K$50K$42K$33K$25K$17KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40855 Compare?

Metric 40855 Cumberland Kentucky
Home Value $55,519 $62,793 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 14.1% 13.5% 6.9%
Avg Rent $891 $819 -
Cap Rate 12.5% 10.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 40855? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $891/mo on homes averaging $55,519 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 5/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

📊 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 40855 (Cumberland, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 40855 (Cumberland, KY)?

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

Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
12.5%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+14.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $55,519
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 5.2:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 19.3%
Cap Rate 12.5%
5-Year IRR 26.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +16.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +14.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +10.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 12.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (12.5%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
36.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+14.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40855

Population: 782

💰 Median Household Income
$27,778
This area
$27,778
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.0%
This area
33.0%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.7%
This area
15.7%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
58.6 years
This area
58.6 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
36.5%
This area
36.5%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.2%
Black/African American 16.9%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.4%
👶 Under 18
10.0%
This area
10.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.3%
This area
26.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
20.5%
This area
20.5%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 1,840 Off-Campus Students
C
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
3,144 students · 5.6 mi
C+
Mountain Empire Community College
2,015 students · 10.1 mi
C
Allure Beauty College
25 students · 12.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,840 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of market is Cumberland, KY for investors?

Cumberland, KY rates 5.0/5 for investability. With median values at $56K and rents near $891/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How strong are rents in Cumberland, KY?

Expect rents around $891/mo per month in Cumberland, KY. With home values at $56K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What is the smart move for investors in Cumberland, KY?

A value-add and BRRRR deals strategy Cumberland, KY best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $56K price point.

How close is Cumberland, KY to meeting the 1% rule?

Hitting the 1% rule in Cumberland, KY is realistic given the 1.60% average rent-to-price. Most value-add properties push well above that line.

Can you recycle capital via BRRRR in Cumberland, KY?

BRRRR in Cumberland, KY is a strong. The interplay of $56K values and $891/mo rents creates reasonable refinance conditions.

You know 40855 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 40855 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 40855 (Cumberland)

Loading...

Community Ratings

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

Be the first to rate 40855 (Cumberland, KY).

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