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Rental Property Investment Guide: Burlington, NC

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Burlington, NC

Cap Rate
3.83%
Median Price
$290K
Rent/Mo
$1,380
1% Rule
0.48%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Burlington sits in the South with a population of 50,000 growing rapidly at 1.5% annually. The median home costs $290,000 while rents average $1,380/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 3.83%. Cash flow investing here requires creative strategies like BRRRR or value-add approaches.

Who Should Invest Here

Burlington is primarily an appreciation play. With home values growing 3.2% annually, equity gains may outpace cash flow. Best suited for investors with longer time horizons who can afford to break even or accept minimal cash flow while building equity. Consider house hacking or value-add strategies to improve returns.

Deal Criteria for Burlington

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $290,000 median — around $232,000 or less. At this price point with $1,380/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 5.2%. Factor in 0.78% property taxes ($2,262/yr), budget 5% of gross rent for maintenance, and underwrite to a 5.3% vacancy rate. On a 20% down conventional loan at 7%, monthly PITI will run approximately $1,831.

Risks and Considerations

Every deal should be evaluated individually using our calculator tools. Median data provides a starting point; actual returns depend on the specific property, financing, and your management approach.

Next Steps

Run the numbers on a specific Burlington property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Burlington data). Compare Burlington against similar markets in the South region. If you're considering a value-add approach, try our BRRRR calculator to model a rehab scenario.

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How Burlington Compares

Burlington vs North Carolina state average and national average across key investment metrics. Burlington beats the national average but trails the North Carolina average on cap rate.

Metric
Burlington
North Carolina Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.83%
4.45%
3.81%
Median Price
$290K
$307K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,380
$1,501
$1,524
Property Tax
0.78%
0.78%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.3%
5.3%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1.5%/yr
1.5%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby South Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Burlington, NC
3.8%
$290K
$1,380
0.78%
Roanoke, VA
3.7%
$290K
$1,370
0.84%
Clarksville, TN
3.9%
$290K
$1,340
0.58%
Morristown, TN
4.4%
$290K
$1,500
0.65%
Sanford, NC
5.2%
$290K
$1,720
0.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burlington, NC a good place to invest in rental property?
Burlington has an estimated cap rate of 3.83%, which is above the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $290K and rents of $1,380/mo, Burlington presents moderate opportunities — deals need careful sourcing to cash flow. Population growth of 1.5% and 5.3% vacancy rate indicate healthy tenant demand.
What is the average cap rate in Burlington?
The estimated cap rate for Burlington is 3.83%, based on median home prices of $290K, median rents of $1,380/mo, a 0.78% property tax rate, and 5.3% vacancy. This compares to a 4.45% average across North Carolina and 3.81% nationally. Cap rates for individual properties will vary based on purchase price, actual rents, and property condition.
How much does a rental property cost in Burlington?
The median home price in Burlington is $290,000, which is 13% below the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $58,000. Investment properties in Burlington range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Burlington property taxes for investors?
Burlington's effective property tax rate is 0.78%, which is above the North Carolina average of 0.78% and below the national average of 1.08%. On a $290K property, annual taxes are approximately $2,262 ($189/mo). Low property taxes are a significant cash flow advantage here.
Full Burlington Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Burlington & Related Markets

More Burlington Guides

Rent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideCost of Living & AffordabilityAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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