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Market MapNorth CarolinaAshe

Ashe County

North CarolinaPopulation: 26,759
41
/100
Avoid
#703 of 1,000 counties
#77 in North Carolina (100 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs Research·Independent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated May 11, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$346,186
Median Home Price
48% above national median
$20,556/mo
Est. Rent
Based on regional data
5.94%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Estimated from price data
+$0
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
41/100
41
Cash Flow(30%)
0/100

Rent data not available for cash flow calculation.

Appreciation(25%)
43/100

Based on -1.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
30/100

Price-to-income ratio of 7.0x. 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

No significant strengths identified based on current data.

Challenges

  • -Declining home values (-1.5% YoY)
  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 0.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
  • -High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging
  • -Limited rent data (estimates used)

Economic Indicators

Population
26,759
Median Income
$49,176
vs $57,059 national est.
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
7.0x
Less affordable

Who this market fits

Skip if
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
  • −You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year
  • −You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes
  • −You want a market with broad institutional consensus on fundamentals

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
SwainNC
44$319,059Est. pending—AvoidView
WakeNC
43$474,088$1,6684.22%AvoidView
New HanoverNC
43$435,002$1,6774.63%AvoidView
ChathamNC
42$542,358$1,7853.95%AvoidView
CurrentAsheNC
41$346,186Est. pending—Avoid
BuncombeNC
40$449,409$1,7864.77%AvoidView

The Bottom Line

AvoidAshe may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Ashe County in North Carolina scores 41/100, ranking #703 of 1,000 US counties (top 93%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental roughly breaks even on cash flow. The deal works on appreciation or with better terms, not on month-one cash flow.

Monthly Cash Flow
+$0/mo
Cap Rate
0.0%
Cash-on-Cash
0.0%

Related markets

Markets like Ashe with stronger cash flow

  • Buncombe County for cash-flow rentals
  • New Hanover County for cash-flow rentals
  • Wake County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to Ashe

  • Swain County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

  • Ashe vs Chatham for rentals
  • Ashe vs Buncombe for rentals
  • Ashe vs Wake for rentals
All counties in North Carolina →

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