Petersburg City

VirginiaPopulation: 33,261
67
/100
Hold
#208 of 1,000 counties
#26 in Virginia (133 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated August 24, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$203,315
Median Home Price
11% below national median
$1,339/mo
Median Rent
8% below national median
7.90%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Top 12% nationally
-$196
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,339/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.
ScenarioPurchase priceMonthly cash flowCap rateCash-on-cash
75% of median
value-add or distressed
$152,486+$71/mo6.8%+2.4%
Median
typical MLS deal
$203,315-$196/mo5.1%-5.0%
125% of median
newer / premium
$254,143-$462/mo4.1%-9.5%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

20%
5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$203,315
Down Payment (20%)$40,663
Loan Amount$162,652
Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,339
Monthly P&I-$1,066
Est. Expenses (35%)-$469
Net Cash Flow-$196/mo
5.1%
Cap Rate (all cash)
-5.0%
Cash-on-Cash Return
7.90%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 5.1% 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.

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Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
67/100
67
Cash Flow(30%)
79/100

Based on 7.90% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)
53/100

Based on 0.3% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
86/100

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

  • +Above-average rent-to-price ratio (7.90%)
  • +Affordable relative to local incomes
  • +Complete rent data available

Challenges

  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 5.1% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population
33,261
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
  • +Value-add operators who can buy below median and force rent up
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)

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
MecklenburgVA
70$212,716$1,4928.42%BuyView
Franklin CityVA
70$224,286Est. pending—BuyView
DinwiddieVA
69$295,196Est. pending—BuyView
BotetourtVA
69$301,444Est. pending—BuyView
CurrentPetersburg CityVA
67$203,315$1,3397.90%Buy
Roanoke CityVA
67$215,833$1,2717.06%BuyView

The Bottom Line

HoldPetersburg City scores well overall, but a typical leveraged buy-and-hold loses $196/mo at current rates. Consider house hacking, value-add, or all-cash; otherwise a worse score with positive cash flow may be the better deal.

Petersburg City in Virginia scores 67/100, ranking #208 of 1,000 US counties (top 27%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $196/month; the 7.90% 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
$-196/mo
Cap Rate
5.1%
Cash-on-Cash
-5.0%

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Rent vs buy in Virginia cities

Rent vs buy in Virginia Beach, VAMedian $411,608 · rent $1,999/moRent vs buy in Norfolk, VAMedian $301,780 · rent $1,632/moRent vs buy in Chesapeake, VAMedian $409,595 · rent $2,084/moRent vs buy in Richmond, VAMedian $355,757 · rent $1,578/moRent vs buy in Newport News, VAMedian $284,020 · rent $1,557/moAll Virginia citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

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