Real Estate Investing in Salem, Wisconsin (53179)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 53179 (Salem, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 26.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Salem, WI (53179)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 53179 Salem
ZIP 53179 inside Kenosha County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $367K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The investment case in 53179 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $367K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Within WI, ZIP 53179 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Kenosha County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.
Demographically, 53179 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.
seems to 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Salem:
Property Strategy for 53179
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $230,594 | $1,310 | 4.1% | +9.1% | $115,297 |
| 3BR | $348,743 | $1,770 | 3.7% | +8.0% | $116,248 |
| 4BR | $457,895 | $2,030 | 3.2% | +7.9% | $114,474 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 53179 Compare?
| Metric | 53179 | Salem | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $367,231 | $362,913 | $320,446 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.1% | 6.9% | 7.3% |
| Avg Rent | $1,179 | $1,239 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% | 2.7% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 53179 (Salem, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $367,231 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,179 |
| Price-to-Rent | 26.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.9% |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +9.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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.
Demographics in 53179
Population: 6,724
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 53179
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (1 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Wilmot High
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
Investor Insight: With 1,032 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tight is the rental market in Salem, WI?
Vacancy risk in Salem, WI is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.
Is Salem, WI a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
Investors tracking Salem, WI will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $367K median home values and $1,179/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.
How much does a house cost in Salem, WI?
In Salem, WI the median home value sits at $367K. Against the broader WI market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
What is it like being a landlord in Salem, WI?
WI ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Salem generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
What is the renter demographic in Salem, WI?
Tenant quality in Salem, WI ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $1,179/mo.
You know 53179 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 53179 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.
How 53179 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
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