Cary
Investment Analysis

Cary, NC
Investor Report

Comprehensive real estate investment analysis with cap rates, rental yields, and risk assessment.

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37
Investment Score
Rent
Cap Rate (Est.)
1.5%
Gross Yield
2.5%
P/R Ratio
34.8x
YoY Growth
-1.8%
Median Home Price
$570,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,176/mo
Median Income
$129,607
Population
178,883

Investment Breakdown

0
Value Score
32
Growth Score
91
Safety Score
52
Afford Score

Cary has a price-to-rent ratio of 34.8x, which indicates renting is more favorable than buying.

The estimated cap rate of 1.5% is below average, typical of appreciation-focused markets.

Year-over-year price growth of -1.8% suggests a cooling market.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,176
Annual Gross $14,112

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$713
Insurance (~0.5%) -$238
Maintenance (~1%) -$475
Est. Net Cash Flow -$249/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Cary Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$611K2027$692Kโ–ฒ 13.3%2028$727Kโ–ฒ 18.9%20232024Now
$763K$543K
Current
$570K
2026
Projected
$692K
โ†‘ 13.3% by 2027
Projected
$727K
โ†‘ 18.9% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+7.8%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.70
โ–ผ

For those evaluating the Cary housing market forecast through 2028, the data suggests a period of stabilization rather than explosive growth. With a median home price of $611,222 and a recent YoY price change of -1.8%, we are seeing a necessary cooling following the aggressive 5-year price change of 47.6%. The market temperature sits at 61/100, indicating a balanced but slightly leaning seller's market, yet the elevated price-to-rent ratio of 38.5x signals that purchasing power remains stretched. This metric heavily influences the "Buy/Rent Verdict: RENT" recommendation, as the gap between owning and renting widens.

Addressing the question of will Cary home prices drop significantly, the Risk Grade of A suggests strong underlying economic fundamentals that will likely prevent a crash. However, affordability constraints will cap appreciation. Caryโ€™s economy, anchored by the Research Triangle Park and major tech employers, continues to draw high-income earners, yet the Days on Market of 47 indicates buyers are becoming more selective. As we look toward Cary real estate Cary 2027, the 5-year CAGR of 8.0% is likely to normalize to a more sustainable 3-5% range. The outlook for 2026-2028 is one of modest single-digit growth, driven by continued in-migration but tempered by higher interest rates and a focus on affordability.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
1.3%
5yr CAGR
+7.8%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.5%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +2.5%

Healthcare

73
Score
Good

Risk Factors

Overvalued Market
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-01-31
Sale-to-List 98.0%
Months Supply 3.1
Price Drops 31%
Gone in 2 Wks 32%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Very Safe

ROI Projector Estimate your total return

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Cary.

Total ROI
-167%
on $114,000 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$190,555
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$3,281
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y1119kY2124kY3129kY4135kY5141k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$190,555
Final Equity
$140,722

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Investment Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Income Estimator

Pre-filled for Cary

Property

Purchase Price$570,000
Monthly Rent$1,176
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$2,935
Monthly Cash Flow
-$35,220/ year
-30.9%
Cash-on-Cash
-0.1%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,176
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$2,882
โˆ’ Property Tax$570
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$475
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$59
= Net Cash Flow-$2,935

Investment Summary

Down Payment
$114,000
Loan Amount
$456,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$4,111
Gross Yield
2.5%

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: March 2026