Is Wayne County, NC good for real estate investing?

Wayne County has an investment score of 66/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #267 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Wayne County is 9.42% annually, which ranks in the 98th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Wayne?

The median home price in Wayne County is $176,538. This ranks #146 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Wayne?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Wayne County would generate negative cash flow of $25/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Wayne County

North CarolinaPopulation: 117,480

/100

Buy

#267 of 1,000 counties

#13 in North Carolina (100 counties)

Market Snapshot

$176,538

Median Home Price

35% below national median

$1,386/mo

Median Rent

7% below national median

9.42%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 2% nationally

-$25

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$176,538

Down Payment (20%)$35,308

Loan Amount$141,230

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,386

Monthly P&I-$925

Est. Expenses (35%)-$485

Net Cash Flow-$25/mo

6.1%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-0.7%

Cash-on-Cash Return

9.42%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 6.1% 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

66/100

Cash Flow(30%)

94/100

Based on 9.42% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

37/100

Based on -2.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

81/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.2x. 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

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (9.42%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Declining home values (-2.5% YoY)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 6.1% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

117,480

Median Income

$54,323

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

3.2x

Moderately affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
RobesonNC	67	$128,177	$1,010	9.45%	Buy	View
CurrentWayneNC	66	$176,538	$1,386	9.42%	Buy
PasquotankNC	66	$260,674	$1,459	6.72%	Buy	View
DavidsonNC	65	$264,061	$1,446	6.57%	Buy	View
WilkesNC	65	$215,228	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
BeaufortNC	65	$229,182	$1,363	7.13%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyWayne offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Wayne County in North Carolina scores 66/100, ranking #267 of 1,000 US counties (top 27%). The 9.42% rent-to-price ratio exceeds the 1% rule target, suggesting strong cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-25/mo

Cap Rate

6.1%

Cash-on-Cash

-0.7%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Wayne?

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$176,538

Down Payment (20%)$35,308

Loan Amount$141,230

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,386

Monthly P&I-$925

Est. Expenses (35%)-$485

Net Cash Flow-$25/mo

6.1%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-0.7%

Cash-on-Cash Return

9.42%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 6.1% 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

66/100

Cash Flow(30%)

94/100

Based on 9.42% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

37/100

Based on -2.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

81/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.2x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

RobesonNC

$128,177

$1,010

9.45%

Buy

View

CurrentWayneNC

$176,538

$1,386

9.42%

Buy

PasquotankNC

$260,674

$1,459

6.72%

Buy

View

DavidsonNC

$264,061

$1,446

6.57%

Buy

View

WilkesNC

$215,228

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

BeaufortNC

$229,182

$1,363

7.13%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

BuyWayne offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Wayne County in North Carolina scores 66/100, ranking #267 of 1,000 US counties (top 27%). The 9.42% rent-to-price ratio exceeds the 1% rule target, suggesting strong cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-25/mo

Cap Rate

6.1%

Cash-on-Cash

-0.7%