Is Suffolk County, MA good for real estate investing?

Suffolk County has an investment score of 45/100, rated as "Hold". The county ranks #883 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Suffolk?

The rent-to-price ratio in Suffolk County is 5.31% annually, which ranks in the 32th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Suffolk?

The median home price in Suffolk County is $747,013. This ranks #975 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Suffolk?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Suffolk County would generate negative cash flow of $1,766/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Suffolk County

MassachusettsPopulation: 785,443

/100

Hold

#883 of 1,000 counties

#11 in Massachusetts (14 counties)

Market Snapshot

$747,013

Median Home Price

173% above national median

$3,307/mo

Median Rent

121% above national median

5.31%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 68% nationally

-$1,766

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$747,013

Down Payment (20%)$149,403

Loan Amount$597,610

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$3,307

Monthly P&I-$3,916

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,157

Net Cash Flow-$1,766/mo

3.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-12.3%

Cash-on-Cash Return

5.31%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

45/100

Cash Flow(30%)

50/100

Based on 5.31% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

55/100

Based on 0.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

17/100

Price-to-income ratio of 8.5x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (5.31%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,766/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.5% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
-High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Economic Indicators

Population

785,443

Median Income

$87,669

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

8.5x

Less affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
BristolMA	49	$524,316	$2,034	4.66%	Hold	View
MiddlesexMA	46	$790,411	$2,890	4.39%	Hold	View
EssexMA	46	$698,257	$2,578	4.43%	Hold	View
NorfolkMA	46	$744,669	$2,841	4.58%	Hold	View
CurrentSuffolkMA	45	$747,013	$3,307	5.31%	Hold
BarnstableMA	38	$731,420	$2,576	4.23%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

HoldSuffolk is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Suffolk County in Massachusetts scores 45/100, ranking #883 of 1,000 US counties (top 88%). The 5.31% rent-to-price ratio may require creative strategies or below-market purchases for positive cash flow. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,766/mo

Cap Rate

3.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-12.3%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Suffolk?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$747,013

Down Payment (20%)$149,403

Loan Amount$597,610

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$3,307

Monthly P&I-$3,916

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,157

Net Cash Flow-$1,766/mo

3.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-12.3%

Cash-on-Cash Return

5.31%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

45/100

Cash Flow(30%)

50/100

Based on 5.31% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

55/100

Based on 0.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

17/100

Price-to-income ratio of 8.5x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

BristolMA

$524,316

$2,034

4.66%

Hold

View

MiddlesexMA

$790,411

$2,890

4.39%

Hold

View

EssexMA

$698,257

$2,578

4.43%

Hold

View

NorfolkMA

$744,669

$2,841

4.58%

Hold

View

CurrentSuffolkMA

$747,013

$3,307

5.31%

Hold

BarnstableMA

$731,420

$2,576

4.23%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

HoldSuffolk is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,766/mo

Cap Rate

3.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-12.3%