Real Estate Investing in Rayland, Ohio (43943)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 3,288 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 43943 (Rayland, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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: 16.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Rayland, OH (43943)?

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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 $121,887
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $48,720
% Renters 11.3%

Market Analysis: 43943 Rayland

ZIP 43943 in Rayland, OH carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $122K and rents of $873/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 43943 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader OH picture, 43943 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 43943 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 43943, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Rayland:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 43943

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$43,276/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $91,824 $970 7.6% +6.0% $45,912
3BR $161,093 $1,280 5.7% +4.6% $53,698
4BR $173,103 $1,480 6.2% +3.5% $43,276

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$130K$119K$108K$97K$86K$75KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 43943 Compare?

Metric 43943 Rayland Ohio
Home Value $121,887 $115,384 $237,530
5-Year CAGR 2.1% 3.1% 7.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 5.6% 5.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 43943? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 43943 (Rayland, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 43943 (Rayland, OH)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.1%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $121,887
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 11.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.6%
Cap Rate 5.6%
5-Year IRR 7.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
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
16.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 43943

Population: 3,288

💰 Median Household Income
$48,720
This area
$48,720
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.5%
This area
13.5%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.0 years
This area
51.0 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.1%
This area
16.1%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.6%
Other/Mixed 1.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.9%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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 43943

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.0:1 Avg Class Size
$15,542 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Buckeye Local High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,542 Per Student
A Very Good

Buckeye Local Junior High

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
178 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,542 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

8 Nearby 7,681 Off-Campus Students
C+
West Liberty University
2,348 students · 8.0 mi
C
Bethany College
671 students · 9.2 mi
D
Wheeling University
748 students · 10.8 mi
D
Trinity Health System School of Nursing
25 students · 11.0 mi
C
Eastern Gateway Community College
15,493 students · 11.0 mi
C
Elite Academy of Hair Design
84 students · 11.1 mi
C
West Virginia Northern Community College
1,263 students · 11.1 mi
C+
Franciscan University of Steubenville
3,750 students · 12.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 7,681 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is vacancy risk in Rayland, OH?

Occupancy in Rayland, OH runs stable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $873/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Rayland, OH?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Rayland, OH. With home values at $122K and rents near $873/mo, other strategies can work but produce steady rather than outsized returns.

How much do tenants pay in Rayland, OH?

Rental rates in Rayland, OH average $873/mo. Tenant demand and $122K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Does Rayland, OH favor landlords or tenants?

OH ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Rayland generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Is real estate in Rayland, OH a good investment right now?

Rayland, OH clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $122K and average rents around $873/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

You know 43943 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 43943 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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How 43943 ranks in Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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