Is Mercer County, WV good for real estate investing?

Mercer County has an investment score of 60/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #506 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Mercer County is 7.41% annually, which ranks in the 85th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Mercer?

The median home price in Mercer County is $140,541. This ranks #58 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Mercer?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Mercer County would generate negative cash flow of $173/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Mercer County

West VirginiaPopulation: 59,530

/100

Buy

#506 of 1,000 counties

#33 in West Virginia (55 counties)

Market Snapshot

$140,541

Median Home Price

49% below national median

$868/mo

Median Rent

42% below national median

7.41%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 15% nationally

-$173

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$140,541

Down Payment (20%)$28,108

Loan Amount$112,433

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$868

Monthly P&I-$737

Est. Expenses (35%)-$304

Net Cash Flow-$173/mo

4.8%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-6.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

7.41%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.8% 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

60/100

Cash Flow(30%)

74/100

Based on 7.41% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

35/100

Based on -2.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

85/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.0x. 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

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (7.41%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Declining home values (-2.9% YoY)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.8% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

59,530

Median Income

$46,409

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

3.0x

Moderately affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
GilmerWV	61	$118,730	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
PleasantsWV	61	$157,853	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
CurrentMercerWV	60	$140,541	$868	7.41%	Buy
WirtWV	60	$116,590	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
HampshireWV	59	$247,975	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
MorganWV	59	$291,771	Est. pending	—	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

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

Mercer County in West Virginia scores 60/100, ranking #506 of 1,000 US counties (top 50%). The 7.41% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-173/mo

Cap Rate

4.8%

Cash-on-Cash

-6.4%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Mercer?

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$140,541

Down Payment (20%)$28,108

Loan Amount$112,433

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$868

Monthly P&I-$737

Est. Expenses (35%)-$304

Net Cash Flow-$173/mo

4.8%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-6.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

7.41%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.8% 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

60/100

Cash Flow(30%)

74/100

Based on 7.41% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

35/100

Based on -2.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

85/100

Price-to-income ratio of 3.0x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

GilmerWV

$118,730

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

PleasantsWV

$157,853

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

CurrentMercerWV

$140,541

$868

7.41%

Buy

WirtWV

$116,590

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

HampshireWV

$247,975

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

MorganWV

$291,771

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

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

Mercer County in West Virginia scores 60/100, ranking #506 of 1,000 US counties (top 50%). The 7.41% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-173/mo

Cap Rate

4.8%

Cash-on-Cash

-6.4%