Real Estate Investing in Salem, Arkansas (72576)

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

Fulton County • Population: 3,748 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 72576 (Salem, AR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 19.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 21.7% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $35,076 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 Salem, AR (72576)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $174,028
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $35,076
% Renters 33.1%

Market Analysis: 72576 Salem

ZIP 72576 inside Fulton County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $174K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The 72576 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in Salem have seen price recovery that 72576 has not matched. Fulton County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 72576 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Salem averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

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.

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 Salem:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$189K$168K$148K$127K$107K$86KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 72576 Compare?

Metric 72576 Salem Arkansas
Home Value $174,028 $174,028 $216,341
5-Year CAGR 3.6% 3.6% 5.7%
Avg Rent $792 $792 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 72576? 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 72576 (Salem, AR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $174,028
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 18.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
19.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 72576

Population: 3,748

💰 Median Household Income
$35,076
This area
$35,076
State
$52,981
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.1%
This area
33.1%
State
24.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-21.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.4%
This area
17.4%
State
-9.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.0 years
This area
53.0 years
State
3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.9%
This area
19.9%
State
22.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.1%
Other/Mixed 7.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.1%
Black/African American 0.6%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
16.1%
This area
16.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
26.4%
This area
26.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.7%
This area
21.7%
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 72576

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.1:1 Avg Class Size
$12,032 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

SALEM HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
416 Students
👨‍🏫
6.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,032 Per Student
B Good

SALEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 06 School
👥
435 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,032 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Salem, AR stack up for property investment?

Yes - Salem, AR a 3.0/5 investability score. With $174K home prices against $792/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What type of investing works in Salem, AR?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Salem, AR best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $174K price point.

How strong are rents in Salem, AR?

Investors in Salem, AR typically see rents near $792/mo per month against $174K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Salem, AR?

Salem, AR vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

How strict are landlord regulations in Salem, AR?

Salem, AR operates under AR law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

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