Is Pender County, NC good for real estate investing?

Pender County has an investment score of 48/100, rated as "Hold". The county ranks #634 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Pender County is 5.53% annually, which ranks in the 38th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Pender?

The median home price in Pender County is $440,170. This ranks #898 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Pender?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Pender County would generate negative cash flow of $990/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Pender County

North CarolinaPopulation: 61,592

/100

Hold

#634 of 1,000 counties

#56 in North Carolina (100 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated July 20, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$440,170

Median Home Price

92% above national median

$2,027/mo

Median Rent

40% above national median

5.53%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 62% nationally

-$990

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $2,027/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$330,128	-$413/mo	4.8%	-6.5%
Median typical MLS deal	$440,170	-$990/mo	3.6%	-11.7%
125% of median newer / premium	$550,213	-$1,566/mo	2.9%	-14.8%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$440,170

Down Payment (20%)$88,034

Loan Amount$352,136

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,027

Monthly P&I-$2,307

Est. Expenses (35%)-$709

Net Cash Flow-$990/mo

3.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-11.7%

Cash-on-Cash Return

5.53%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.6% 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

48/100

Cash Flow(30%)

53/100

Based on 5.53% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

48/100

Based on -0.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

37/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

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 (-0.5% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$990/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.6% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
-High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Economic Indicators

Population

61,592

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−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

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
ClevelandNC	51	$202,617	$1,158	6.86%	Hold	View
CaldwellNC	51	$231,573	$1,074	5.56%	Hold	View
CurrentPenderNC	48	$440,170	$2,027	5.53%	Hold
MecklenburgNC	48	$416,475	$1,737	5.01%	Hold	View
ClayNC	46	$334,965	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
DurhamNC	46	$394,861	$1,628	4.95%	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

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

Pender County in North Carolina scores 48/100, ranking #634 of 1,000 US counties (top 81%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $990/month; the 5.53% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-990/mo

Cap Rate

3.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-11.7%

Related markets

Markets like Pender with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to Pender

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in North Carolina →

Rent vs buy in North Carolina cities

Rent vs buy in Charlotte, NCMedian $416,475 · rent $1,737/mo Rent vs buy in Raleigh, NCMedian $474,088 · rent $1,668/mo Rent vs buy in Greensboro, NCMedian $270,247 · rent $1,424/mo Rent vs buy in Durham, NCMedian $394,861 · rent $1,628/mo Rent vs buy in Winston-Salem, NCMedian $277,643 · rent $1,545/mo All North Carolina citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Pender?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

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Scenario comparison

Same $2,027/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$330,128	-$413/mo	4.8%	-6.5%
Median typical MLS deal	$440,170	-$990/mo	3.6%	-11.7%
125% of median newer / premium	$550,213	-$1,566/mo	2.9%	-14.8%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$440,170

Down Payment (20%)$88,034

Loan Amount$352,136

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,027

Monthly P&I-$2,307

Est. Expenses (35%)-$709

Net Cash Flow-$990/mo

3.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-11.7%

Cash-on-Cash Return

5.53%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.6% 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

48/100

Cash Flow(30%)

53/100

Based on 5.53% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

48/100

Based on -0.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

37/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−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

County

Verdict

ClevelandNC

$202,617

$1,158

6.86%

Hold

View

CaldwellNC

$231,573

$1,074

5.56%

Hold

View

CurrentPenderNC

$440,170

$2,027

5.53%

Hold

MecklenburgNC

$416,475

$1,737

5.01%

Hold

View

ClayNC

$334,965

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

DurhamNC

$394,861

$1,628

4.95%

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

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

Monthly Cash Flow

$-990/mo

Cap Rate

3.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-11.7%