Real Estate Investing in Graham, Kentucky (42344)

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

Muhlenberg County • Population: 1,042 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 42344 (Graham, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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 (57/100)

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
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.8% CAGR).
  • Lower household income: $39,286 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 Graham, KY (42344)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $94,006
Avg Monthly Rent $801
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $39,286
% Renters 9.6%

Market Analysis: 42344 Graham

ZIP 42344 inside Muhlenberg County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $94K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 42344 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $94K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within KY, ZIP 42344 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Muhlenberg County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 42344 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Graham:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $801/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
Central City, KY Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.8%
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 Central City, KY metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$100K$88K$77K$65K$54K$43KJan 2015Oct 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 42344 Compare?

Metric 42344 Graham Central City, KY Kentucky
Home Value $94,006 $94,006 N/A $225,788
5-Year CAGR 0.8% 0.8% N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $801 $801 N/A -
Cap Rate 6.7% 6.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 42344? 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 42344 (Graham, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.7%
Good
5yr Growth
+0.8%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Central City, KY metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $94,006
Monthly Rent $801
Price-to-Rent 9.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.2%
Cap Rate 6.7%
5-Year IRR 7.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.7%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
11.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.8%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 42344

Population: 1,042

💰 Median Household Income
$39,286
This area
$39,286
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.6%
This area
9.6%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.3 years
This area
45.3 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.4%
Other/Mixed 2.6%
👶 Under 18
23.5%
This area
23.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.0%
This area
14.0%
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

1 Nearby 2,188 Off-Campus Students
C+
Madisonville Community College
3,535 students · 12.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,188 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graham, KY a good market for FHA house hackers?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Graham, KY reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

Is the tenant base reliable in Graham, KY?

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

How strong are rents in Graham, KY?

Rents in Graham, KY run near $801/mo. Compared with median home prices of $94K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

How do experienced investors play Graham, KY?

Most investors in Graham, KY run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How much does a house cost in Graham, KY?

Graham, KY home values average about $94K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $801/mo in monthly income.

You know 42344 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 42344 ranks in Central City, KY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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