Is Johnston County, NC good for real estate investing?

Johnston County has an investment score of 55/100, rated as "Hold". The county ranks #459 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Johnston County is 6.47% annually, which ranks in the 64th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Johnston?

The median home price in Johnston County is $336,821. This ranks #739 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Johnston?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Johnston County would generate negative cash flow of $586/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Johnston County

North CarolinaPopulation: 219,042Raleigh, NC Metro

/100

Hold

#459 of 1,000 counties

#36 in North Carolina (100 counties)

Market Snapshot

$336,821

Median Home Price

44% above national median

$1,816/mo

Median Rent

20% above national median

6.47%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 36% nationally

-$586

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$336,821

Down Payment (20%)$67,364

Loan Amount$269,457

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,816

Monthly P&I-$1,766

Est. Expenses (35%)-$636

Net Cash Flow-$586/mo

4.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-9.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.47%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.2% 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

55/100

Cash Flow(30%)

65/100

Based on 6.47% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

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%)

63/100

Price-to-income ratio of 4.5x. 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

-Declining home values (-1.5% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$586/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

219,042

Median Income

$75,288

vs $57,018 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

4.5x

Moderately affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
ScotlandNC	57	$138,001	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
BurkeNC	56	$246,801	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
LincolnNC	56	$396,190	$1,690	5.12%	Hold	View
CurrentJohnstonNC	55	$336,821	$1,816	6.47%	Hold
FranklinNC	55	$354,406	$1,782	6.03%	Hold	View
TyrrellNC	54	$162,023	Est. pending	—	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

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

Johnston County in North Carolina scores 55/100, ranking #459 of 1,000 US counties (top 61%). The 6.47% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-586/mo

Cap Rate

4.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-9.1%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Johnston?

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$336,821

Down Payment (20%)$67,364

Loan Amount$269,457

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,816

Monthly P&I-$1,766

Est. Expenses (35%)-$636

Net Cash Flow-$586/mo

4.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-9.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.47%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.2% 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

55/100

Cash Flow(30%)

65/100

Based on 6.47% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

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%)

63/100

Price-to-income ratio of 4.5x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

ScotlandNC

$138,001

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

BurkeNC

$246,801

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

LincolnNC

$396,190

$1,690

5.12%

Hold

View

CurrentJohnstonNC

$336,821

$1,816

6.47%

Hold

FranklinNC

$354,406

$1,782

6.03%

Hold

View

TyrrellNC

$162,023

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

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

Monthly Cash Flow

$-586/mo

Cap Rate

4.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-9.1%