BRRRR ★ MARKETS
73STAR SCORE

Hickory, NC rental market data (2026)

As of September 2026, the typical home in the Hickory metro costs $266,722 and typical rent is $1,595/month — a price-to-rent ratio of 14 and a gross rental yield of 7.2%. Hickory scores 73/100 on the Star Score index, ranking #29 of 174 tracked US rental markets.

The Hickory metro posts a price-to-rent ratio of 14 on a typical home value of $266,722 and typical rent of $1,595/month — a gross rental yield of 7.2% before expenses. Factor scores below show how it stacks up on landlord law, taxes, growth and risk.

New to this? The price-to-rent ratio is the home price divided by a year of rent — lower means rents are big relative to prices, which favors landlords. Gross yield is a year of rent as a % of the price, before expenses. BRRRR = Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat: buy below market, fix it, rent it, then refinance to pull your cash back out and buy the next one. Full walkthrough in the beginner's guide.

Key numbers

MetricValue
Typical home value (ZHVI)$266,722
Typical rent (ZORI)$1,595/mo
Price-to-rent ratio14
Gross rental yield7.2%
Star Score73/100 ★★★½☆
Rank among tracked markets#29 of 174
Your buying power in Hickory

Why Hickory scores 73

Factor breakdown is a Pro layer for this market. The top 15 markets show it free — see the rankings — or unlock all 174 markets. Not sure where to start? Find your market in 5 taps.

More context: Living in Hickory — economy, industries & affordability

See how it stacks up in the full rankings — head-to-head pages cover the top 15 markets.

Star Opportunities in Hickory flagged 2026-10-21

Active listings our scanner flagged for under-market signals — price cuts, long days on market, below-comp pricing. Leads to underwrite, not appraisals; verify everything locally.

623 4th Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602 ★ 100
$249,000 · 5bd 3ba · 2,680 sqft
est. 30.0% under market · modeled rent $2,390/mo (11.5% yield)
Motivation 100 · Stale listing321 days on marketfind listing →
4126 16th St NE, Hickory, NC 28601 ★ 100
$130,000 · 3bd 1ba · 1,125 sqft
est. 30.0% under market · modeled rent $1,280/mo (11.8% yield)
Motivation 51 · Condition discount (hypothesis)98 days on marketfind listing →
509 21st St SE, Hickory, NC 28602 ★ 100
$219,900 · 3bd 2ba · 1,928 sqft
est. 30.0% under market · modeled rent $2,200/mo (12.0% yield)
Motivation 43 · Condition discount (hypothesis)72 days on marketfind listing →
1357 Airport Rhodhiss Rd, Lot 3, Hickory, NC 28601 ★ 100
$125,000 · 3bd 2ba · 1,058 sqft
est. 29.0% under market · modeled rent $1,210/mo (11.6% yield)
Motivation 73 · Stale listing174 days on marketfind listing →
204 Shelby St, Hickory, NC 28601 ★ 100
$135,000 · 3bd 1ba · 1,139 sqft
est. 28.9% under market · modeled rent $1,300/mo (11.6% yield)
Motivation 100 · Stale listing−10.0% price cut164 days on marketfind listing →

Run one through the BRRRR calculator. Rent figures are modeled from metro data, not appraisals.

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Assumable-mortgage pocket: 21.4% of NC's 2019-21 mortgage originations were government-backed (FHA/VA/USDA) — assumable by law, mostly at ~3% rates. VA loans can be assumed by non-veterans, including for investment purchases. The Assumability Index →

What would a rehab cost here?

National rule-of-thumb renovation costs (2026, per square foot) applied to a typical ~1,400 sq ft single-family in this market — every house differs, so treat these as planning ranges, not bids:

Scope$/sq ftTypical house
Paint & refresh (cosmetic light)$15–25$21K–35K
Cosmetic full (floors, kitchen refresh, baths)$25–45$35K–63K
Full renovation (systems + finishes)$45–75$63K–105K
Gut / structural$75–120$105K–168K

Run your own numbers for Hickory in the BRRRR & rehab calculator. Run a rehab crew in Hickory? Founding crews list free →

Frequently asked questions

Is Hickory a good market for rental property in 2026?

Hickory scores 73/100 on the Star Score index (#29 of 174 tracked markets), with a gross rental yield of 7.2% at September 2026 prices. It suits investors prioritizing cash flow over appreciation.

What is the price-to-rent ratio in Hickory?

14 — the typical home value ($266,722) divided by a year of typical rent ($1,595/month × 12). Ratios under about 15 generally favor buying and landlording.

Is Hickory a good BRRRR market in 2026?

With a typical home at $266,722 and rent of $1,595/month (7.2% gross yield), Hickory suits the BRRRR strategy well: entry prices leave room to buy below market, renovate, and refinance without trapping capital.

How much rent does the typical Hickory home earn?

Typical asking rent in the Hickory metro is $1,595 per month as of September 2026, per Zillow's Observed Rent Index.

Home values and rents: Zillow ZHVI / ZORI, September 2026 metro figures. Factor scores are editorial estimates on public data. Last reviewed October 2026. Not investment advice — verify locally before acting. Methodology & sources.