Is Columbia County, WI good for real estate investing?

Columbia County has an investment score of 56/100, rated as "Hold". The county ranks #440 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Columbia County is 4.22% annually, which ranks in the 9th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Columbia?

The median home price in Columbia County is $354,643. This ranks #768 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Columbia?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Columbia County would generate negative cash flow of $1,048/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Columbia County

WisconsinPopulation: 58,272

/100

Hold

#440 of 1,000 counties

#53 in Wisconsin (72 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated May 18, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$354,643

Median Home Price

52% above national median

$1,248/mo

Median Rent

17% below national median

4.22%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 91% nationally

-$1,048

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,248/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$265,982	-$583/mo	3.7%	-11.4%
Median typical MLS deal	$354,643	-$1,048/mo	2.8%	-15.4%
125% of median newer / premium	$443,303	-$1,512/mo	2.2%	-17.8%

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$354,643

Down Payment (20%)$70,929

Loan Amount$283,714

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,248

Monthly P&I-$1,859

Est. Expenses (35%)-$437

Net Cash Flow-$1,048/mo

2.8%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.22%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.8% 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

56/100

Cash Flow(30%)

33/100

Based on 4.22% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

91/100

Based on 6.6% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

54/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

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

+Strong price appreciation (+6.6% YoY)
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.22%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,048/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.8% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

58,272

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+Appreciation buyers: YoY growth is meaningfully above the long-run average
+Patient holders willing to accept negative carry for equity gains
+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
JeffersonWI	57	$346,047	$1,257	4.36%	Hold	View
CurrentColumbiaWI	56	$354,643	$1,248	4.22%	Hold
Saint CroixWI	56	$401,930	$1,721	5.14%	Hold	View
WaukeshaWI	55	$475,410	$1,594	4.02%	Hold	View
OzaukeeWI	55	$470,334	$1,781	4.54%	Hold	View
DaneWI	55	$448,398	$1,817	4.86%	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

HoldColumbia is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Columbia County in Wisconsin scores 56/100, ranking #440 of 1,000 US counties (top 58%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $1048/month; the 4.22% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,048/mo

Cap Rate

2.8%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.4%

Related markets

Markets like Columbia with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to Columbia

Jefferson County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Wisconsin →

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Columbia?

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Scenario comparison

Same $1,248/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$265,982	-$583/mo	3.7%	-11.4%
Median typical MLS deal	$354,643	-$1,048/mo	2.8%	-15.4%
125% of median newer / premium	$443,303	-$1,512/mo	2.2%	-17.8%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$354,643

Down Payment (20%)$70,929

Loan Amount$283,714

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,248

Monthly P&I-$1,859

Est. Expenses (35%)-$437

Net Cash Flow-$1,048/mo

2.8%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.22%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.8% 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

56/100

Cash Flow(30%)

33/100

Based on 4.22% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

91/100

Based on 6.6% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

54/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Who this market fits

Best for

+Appreciation buyers: YoY growth is meaningfully above the long-run average
+Patient holders willing to accept negative carry for equity gains
+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

County

Verdict

JeffersonWI

$346,047

$1,257

4.36%

Hold

View

CurrentColumbiaWI

$354,643

$1,248

4.22%

Hold

Saint CroixWI

$401,930

$1,721

5.14%

Hold

View

WaukeshaWI

$475,410

$1,594

4.02%

Hold

View

OzaukeeWI

$470,334

$1,781

4.54%

Hold

View

DaneWI

$448,398

$1,817

4.86%

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

HoldColumbia is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,048/mo

Cap Rate

2.8%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.4%