Maysville is home to the best residential real estate investment market in North Carolina.
The 28555 zip code in Maysville presents the greatest opportunity for the best real estate investments among the 1,672 individual real estate markets in North Carolina we evaluated. We looked at property values, population trends, and six other metrics for each market. We used that data to calculate each market's InvestScore.
5 best places to invest in North Carolina
| Rank | City | InvestScore | Affordability | Property value appreciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maysville | 100 | 3.4 | 74.33% |
| 2 | Claremont | 99.4 | 3.4 | 75.94% |
| 3 | Robbins | 97 | 3.2 | 73.16% |
| 4 | Valdese | 94.5 | 3.5 | 71.89% |
| 5 | Kings Mountain | 90.9 | 3.8 | 70.44% |
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1. Maysville
We've identified the 28555 zip code in Maysville as North Carolina's best real estate investment market. Here's why.
🔎 Key data about Maysville
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,672 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 28555 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 100 | Highest |
| Typical property value | $206,302[1] | 76th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 74.33%[2] | 48th highest |
| Household income | $59,940[3] | 234th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.4 | 45th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 22.0%[4] | 31st highest |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2%[5] | 235th lowest |
| Property taxes | $973[6] | 43rd lowest |
| Educational attainment | 19.2%[7] | 297th highest |
Maysville (zip code 28555) is the best residential real estate investment market in North Carolina. It has the 48th highest property value appreciation among markets we evaluated, with a 74.33% appreciation of the typical property over the last five years.
Maysville is the 45th most affordable market among the 1,672 North Carolina markets we evaluated, with an affordability ratio of 3.4.
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2. Claremont
The 28610 zip code in Claremont is the runner-up spot for the best real estate investments in North Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Claremont
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,672 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 28610 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 99.4 | 2nd highest |
| Typical property value | $234,749[8] | 121st lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 75.94%[9] | 36th highest |
| Household income | $68,906[10] | 151st highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.4 | 41st most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 8.5%[11] | 111th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%[12] | 169th lowest |
| Property taxes | $897[13] | 33rd lowest |
| Educational attainment | 14.9%[14] | 376th highest |
The 28610 zip code in Claremont features a typical property value of $234,749, the 121st lowest in the state.
Property values have appreciated 75.94% over the past five years, the 36th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state. Claremont homes have an affordability ratio of 3.4, the 41st most affordable in the state.
3. Robbins
The 27325 zip code in Robbins comes in at No. 3 in our ranking of the best residential real estate investment markets in North Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Robbins
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,672 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 27325 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 97 | 3rd highest |
| Typical property value | $156,746[15] | 38th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 73.16%[16] | 59th highest |
| Household income | $48,834[17] | 354th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.2 | 33rd most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 11.6%[18] | 78th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%[19] | 216th lowest |
| Property taxes | $694[20] | 3rd lowest |
| Educational attainment | 7.4%[21] | 418th highest |
With a typical property value of $156,746, Robbins's 27325 zip code features the 38th lowest property values in the state.
Robbins homes have an affordability ratio of 3.2, the 33rd most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
4. Valdese
The 28690 zip code in Valdese ranks No. 4 among North Carolina's residential real estate investment markets.
🔎 Key data about Valdese
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,672 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 28690 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 94.5 | 4th highest |
| Typical property value | $232,681[22] | 119th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 71.89%[23] | 72nd highest |
| Household income | $66,250[24] | 72nd highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.5 | 51st most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 1.6%[25] | 239th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%[26] | 82nd lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,260[27] | 144th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 28.2%[28] | 179th highest |
Property values in Valdese's 28690 zip code have seen the 72nd highest increase among evaluated markets in the state, with an appreciation of 71.89% over the past five years.
Valdese's affordability ratio of 3.5 makes it the 51st most affordable among the 1,672 markets we evaluated.
5. Kings Mountain
The 28086 zip code in Kings Mountain rounds out our top five residential real estate investment markets in North Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Kings Mountain
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,672 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 28086 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 90.9 | 5th highest |
| Typical property value | $225,505[29] | 100th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 70.44%[30] | 88th highest |
| Household income | $59,020[31] | 88th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.8 | 81st most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 12.4%[32] | 75th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4%[33] | 183rd lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,166[34] | 109th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 16.1%[35] | 358th highest |
Property values in Kings Mountain's 28086 zip code rose 70.44% over the last five years, ranking the city 88th highest among evaluated markets in North Carolina.
Kings Mountain homes have an affordability ratio of 3.8, the 81st most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
Investing in residential real estate can be one of the best passive real estate investments in North Carolina.
Residential real estate offers accessible passive income and the potential to compound your original investment.
Renting out residential units is the top way to invest in real estate. House hacking also offers a great opportunity for passive real estate investment income.
How we rank residential real estate markets in North Carolina
To determine the best real estate investments in North Carolina we evaluated 1,672 markets on eight metrics, and then assigned an InvestScore based on their weighted and combined rankings. Each market corresponds to a specific zip code in North Carolina.
What is InvestScore?
InvestScore is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the residential real estate investment potential of a given market. It takes into account a suite of key data points for each city.
- Typical property value: This measures the typical home value in this zip code, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. It reflects the typical value for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range, including all homes, with the numbers smoothed and seasonally adjusted. We prefer lower property values, which indicate both more room for growth and a greater ease of purchase. We assign a weight of 20% to typical property values.
- Property value appreciation: This measures how much property values have increased in the area over the past five years, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. We prefer a higher appreciation, as it indicates better returns on housing. However, past performance isn't indicative of future results. We assign a weight of 20% to property value appreciation.
- Median household income: This is the inflation-adjusted median household income in the zip code, according to U.S. Census American Community Survey data. We prefer a higher household income, as it indicates local residents have more income to spend on housing. We assign a weight of 10% to median household income.
- Affordability ratio: This is the ratio of the typical home value to the median household income in the area. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home, which indicates higher demand. We assign a weight of 15% to the affordability ratio.
- Population growth: This is how much the area's population has grown over the past five years, according to U.S. Census estimates. Higher is better, as it indicates residents are moving into the area at a rapid clip. We assign a weight of 10% to population growth.
- Unemployment rate: This is the unemployment rate in the area, according to U.S. Census data. We prefer a lower rate, as it indicates the availability of steady employment in the area, meaning residents will find it much easier to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to unemployment rate.
- Property tax: This is the median real estate property tax paid in the area, according to U.S. Census estimates. We assign a weight of 10% to property tax.
- Educational attainment: This is the percentage of residents in the area that have obtained a bachelor's degree or better, according to U.S. Census estimates. We prefer a higher rate because it indicates local residents who have higher earning potential and thus should be able to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to educational attainment.
🚨 Disclaimer: The information contained in this article isn't intended as, and shall not be understood or constituted as, financial advice. The information in this article isn't a substitute for financial advice from an investment professional or real estate agent who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your financial situation or the specifics of any individual property.
