%
CapRateCity
Free cap rate calculators for every US market
MarketsMississippiMeridianRental Property Investment Guide

Rental Property Investment Guide: Meridian, MS

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Meridian, MS

Cap Rate
8.45%
Median Price
$120K
Rent/Mo
$1,070
1% Rule
0.89%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Meridian sits in the South with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.2% annually. The median home costs $120,000 while rents average $1,070/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 8.45%. This puts Meridian in the upper tier of investable US markets.

Who Should Invest Here

Meridian is ideal for cash flow investors, BRRRR practitioners, and anyone building a portfolio of affordable, income-producing rentals. The low price point ($120,000) means you can get started with a $24,000 down payment, and the 8.45% cap rate should produce positive cash flow even with conservative financing.

Deal Criteria for Meridian

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $120,000 median — around $96,000 or less. At this price point with $1,070/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 10.9%. Factor in 0.66% property taxes ($792/yr), budget 5% of gross rent for maintenance, and underwrite to a 7.4% vacancy rate. On a 20% down conventional loan at 7%, monthly PITI will run approximately $804.

Risks and Considerations

The 7.4% vacancy rate is above the national average, so budget conservatively and screen tenants carefully. 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 Meridian property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Meridian data). Compare Meridian against similar markets in the South region. If you're considering a value-add approach, try our BRRRR calculator to model a rehab scenario.

Sponsored · Want to analyze a specific property? DealCheck imports real listing data and runs the full analysis for you.
Try Free →

How Meridian Compares

Meridian vs Mississippi state average and national average across key investment metrics. Meridian outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.

Metric
Meridian
Mississippi Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
8.45%
6.26%
3.81%
Median Price
$120K
$208K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,070
$1,387
$1,524
Property Tax
0.66%
0.66%
1.08%
Vacancy
7.4%
7.4%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.2%/yr
0.2%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby South Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Meridian, MS
8.4%
$120K
$1,070
0.66%
Plainview, TX
5.5%
$115K
$820
1.72%
Weirton, WV
6.0%
$125K
$830
0.58%
Lumberton, NC
7.6%
$130K
$1,050
0.78%
Opelousas, LA
6.6%
$130K
$920
0.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Meridian, MS a good place to invest in rental property?
Meridian has an estimated cap rate of 8.45%, which is above the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $120K and rents of $1,070/mo, Meridian offers strong cash flow fundamentals for rental investors. Population growth of 0.2% and 7.4% vacancy rate suggest moderate rental demand.
What is the average cap rate in Meridian?
The estimated cap rate for Meridian is 8.45%, based on median home prices of $120K, median rents of $1,070/mo, a 0.66% property tax rate, and 7.4% vacancy. This compares to a 6.26% average across Mississippi 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 Meridian?
The median home price in Meridian is $120,000, which is 64% below the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $24,000. Investment properties in Meridian range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Meridian property taxes for investors?
Meridian's effective property tax rate is 0.66%, which is above the Mississippi average of 0.66% and below the national average of 1.08%. On a $120K property, annual taxes are approximately $792 ($66/mo). Low property taxes are a significant cash flow advantage here.
Full Meridian Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Meridian & Related Markets

More Meridian Guides

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

Similar Markets in the South

Orangeburg, SC$150K · $1,320/mo
8.6%
Ozark, AL$155K · $1,310/mo
8.3%
Kingsville, TX$150K · $1,420/mo
8.2%
Enterprise, AL$175K · $1,420/mo
7.9%
Vidalia, GA$165K · $1,400/mo
7.8%
The CapRateCity Report
Weekly market analysis: highest cap rate cities, emerging markets, and deal breakdowns. Free, no spam.