Is Madison County, IL good for real estate investing?

Madison County has an investment score of 72/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #89 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Madison County is 7.02% annually, which ranks in the 78th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Madison?

The median home price in Madison County is $187,237. This ranks #186 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Madison?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Madison County would generate negative cash flow of $269/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Madison County

IllinoisPopulation: 265,512

/100

Buy

#89 of 1,000 counties

#56 in Illinois (102 counties)

Market Snapshot

$187,237

Median Home Price

32% below national median

$1,095/mo

Median Rent

27% below national median

7.02%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 22% nationally

-$269

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$187,237

Down Payment (20%)$37,447

Loan Amount$149,790

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,095

Monthly P&I-$982

Est. Expenses (35%)-$383

Net Cash Flow-$269/mo

4.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-7.5%

Cash-on-Cash Return

7.02%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.6% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

72/100

Cash Flow(30%)

70/100

Based on 7.02% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

83/100

Based on 3.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

91/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.6x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (7.02%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$269/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.6% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

265,512

Median Income

$71,759

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

2.6x

Very affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
La SalleIL	73	$184,104	$1,112	7.25%	Buy	View
CurrentMadisonIL	72	$187,237	$1,095	7.02%	Buy
KankakeeIL	72	$211,066	$1,309	7.44%	Buy	View
WilliamsonIL	72	$152,606	$1,067	8.39%	Buy	View
McHenryIL	71	$349,331	$2,114	7.26%	Buy	View
ChampaignIL	71	$226,633	$1,395	7.38%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyMadison offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Madison County in Illinois scores 72/100, ranking #89 of 1,000 US counties (top 9%). The 7.02% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-269/mo

Cap Rate

4.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-7.5%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Madison?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$187,237

Down Payment (20%)$37,447

Loan Amount$149,790

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,095

Monthly P&I-$982

Est. Expenses (35%)-$383

Net Cash Flow-$269/mo

4.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-7.5%

Cash-on-Cash Return

7.02%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.6% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

72/100

Cash Flow(30%)

70/100

Based on 7.02% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

83/100

Based on 3.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

91/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.6x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

La SalleIL

$184,104

$1,112

7.25%

Buy

View

CurrentMadisonIL

$187,237

$1,095

7.02%

Buy

KankakeeIL

$211,066

$1,309

7.44%

Buy

View

WilliamsonIL

$152,606

$1,067

8.39%

Buy

View

McHenryIL

$349,331

$2,114

7.26%

Buy

View

ChampaignIL

$226,633

$1,395

7.38%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

BuyMadison offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Madison County in Illinois scores 72/100, ranking #89 of 1,000 US counties (top 9%). The 7.02% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-269/mo

Cap Rate

4.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-7.5%