Weirton, WV Cap Rate 5.99%
Weirton is one of the most affordable markets in the country in the South with a small but investable metro of 50,000. At a 5.99% estimated cap rate, this is a solid market where rents of $830/mo lag behind home prices. With a median home price of $125,000 and the population has been declining, which investors should factor into long-term projections, Weirton stands out as a market worth serious analysis for rental investors.
Market data powered by Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) · Updated Feb 2026
Market Data
2026 Market Update: Weirton
Weirton's 0.7% rent-to-price ratio is well below the 1% rule. At median prices of $125,000, the $830/mo rent produces only $624/mo in NOI. Investors here need to target below-median properties or pursue value-add strategies to make the numbers work.
At current rates, a 20% down conventional loan ($25K at 7%) would result in approximately $-41/mo cash flow — negative at median prices. Larger down payments, seller financing, or buying 15–25% below median are strategies to turn the numbers positive.
The 12.6x gross rent multiplier and 7.5% vacancy rate position Weirton as a value-oriented market. With annual appreciation at 1.4%, total returns (cash flow + equity growth) run approximately 7.4% before financing leverage.
Deal Modeling & Scenarios for Weirton
All figures below are computed from Weirton's real market medians. Use them as a baseline; override with property-specific numbers in the calculators.
Property Tax Bill in Real Dollars
At 0.58% effective rate on the $125,000 median price, the annual tax bill is $725 — that's very low (bottom 15% of US markets) (-45% vs the national average of ~1.06%). Verify the actual assessed value before purchase; sale-triggered reassessments can push the bill higher than the seller's current statement.
5-Year Cap Rate Trajectory
If Weirton continues appreciating at 1.4%/yr while rents grow at a conservative 3%/yr, cap rate holds roughly steady as price growth outpaces rent. Year-by-year projection at the median:
| Year | Est. Price | Est. Rent/Mo | Cap Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | $125K | $830 | 6.0% |
| Year 1 | $127K | $855 | 6.1% |
| Year 2 | $129K | $881 | 6.2% |
| Year 3 | $130K | $907 | 6.3% |
| Year 4 | $132K | $934 | 6.4% |
| Year 5 | $134K | $962 | 6.5% |
Three Financing Scenarios
Same median-priced Weirton property — different capital structures. All-cash maximizes cap rate. Leverage trades cash flow for higher cash-on-cash return when the spread between cap rate and borrowing cost is positive.
| Scenario | Cash Invested | Monthly Cash Flow | Annual CF | Cash-on-Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All cash | $125K | $624 | $7,488 | 6.0% |
| 20% down conventional @ 7% | $29K | $-41 | $-492 | -1.7% |
| 25% down DSCR @ 8.5% | $36K | $-97 | $-1,163 | -3.2% |
Three Price Tiers: Below, At, and Above the Median
Properties don't always trade at the median. Lower-priced units typically offer higher cap rates but harder operations; higher-priced properties tend to compress cap rates while attracting better tenants. All-cash assumptions below:
| Tier | Price | Rent/Mo | NOI/Yr | Cap Rate | Monthly CF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below median (~75% price) | $94K | $706 | $5,562 | 5.9% | $464 |
| At median | $125K | $830 | $6,394 | 5.1% | $533 |
| Above median (~125% price) | $156K | $954 | $7,226 | 4.6% | $602 |
Total Return Over a 5-Year Hold
Cap rate is just one piece. Real estate returns come from four sources: cash flow, appreciation, principal paydown, and tax benefits. Assuming 20% down conventional financing at 7% and a 5-year hold at Weirton's historical appreciation rate of 1.4%:
On a $25K down payment, that's a 56.2% total ROI over 5 years (not annualized). Tax benefits from depreciation are additional and depend on your personal tax bracket.
Risk Flags Specific to Weirton
Automated checks against the underlying data — surface only the risks that actually apply to Weirton, not generic boilerplate:
Cap Rate Calculator — Weirton
Pre-filled with Weirton medians. Adjust to match a specific property.
Cash-on-Cash Return — Weirton
Factor in financing to see your actual return on invested capital in Weirton.
Is Weirton a Good Place to Invest in Rental Property?
Weirton, WV has a population of 50,000 and has been growing at -0.4% annually — roughly in line with national trends, meaning demand is stable but not exceptional. The median home price of $125,000 paired with median rents of $830/mo produces an estimated cap rate of 5.99%.
Property taxes at 0.58% are well below the national average of ~1.1%, providing a meaningful cash flow advantage many investors overlook. The vacancy rate of 7.5% runs above average, which increases cash flow volatility and warrants conservative underwriting.
At a price-to-income ratio of 3.0x, homes cost about 3.0 times the local median income of $42,200. This relatively affordable ratio suggests a deep pool of renters who find buying out of reach, supporting rental demand. Home values have appreciated at roughly 1.4% annually. Steady appreciation means total returns will be primarily cash flow-driven — the more sustainable model for long-term wealth building.
Bottom line: Weirton presents moderate opportunities. Cap rates near 5.99% mean deals need careful sourcing — look for value-add rehabs or emerging neighborhoods where rents are climbing.