Chicago
Investment Analysis

Chicago, IL
Investor Report

Comprehensive real estate investment analysis with cap rates, rental yields, and risk assessment.

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51
Investment Score
Strong Buy
Cap Rate (Est.)
3.0%
Gross Yield
5.0%
P/R Ratio
14.8x
YoY Growth
+2.3%
Median Home Price
$365,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,507/mo
Median Income
$74,474
Population
2,664,454

Investment Breakdown

56
Value Score
73
Growth Score
18
Safety Score
47
Afford Score

Chicago has a price-to-rent ratio of 14.8x, which indicates buying is significantly better than renting.

The estimated cap rate of 3.0% is below average, typical of appreciation-focused markets.

Year-over-year price growth of +2.3% indicates stable market conditions.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,507
Annual Gross $18,084

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$456
Insurance (~0.5%) -$152
Maintenance (~1%) -$304
Est. Net Cash Flow $595/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Chicago Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$305K2027$308Kโ–ฒ 0.9%2028$313Kโ–ฒ 2.6%20232024Now
$329K$266K
Current
$365K
2026
Projected
$308K
โ†‘ 0.9% by 2027
Projected
$313K
โ†‘ 2.6% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+2.5%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.80
โ–ผ

For those asking "will Chicago home prices drop," the data suggests a period of stabilization rather than a sharp correction. The current median price of $305,295 has seen a modest YoY increase of 2.0%, indicating a market that is losing steam but not collapsing. With a price-to-rent ratio of 15.8x, which sits below the national average of 18x, the local market remains relatively balanced for both buyers and renters. Our Chicago housing market forecast for 2026-2028 anticipates this equilibrium will hold, supported by a consistent 5-year CAGR of 2.7% and a market temperature score of 66/100, signaling a moderate, sustainable pace.

Looking ahead to Chicago real estate Chicago 2027 and beyond, affordability will be a key driver. The city's diverse economy, anchored in finance and tech, provides a buffer against volatility, but high property taxes and lingering urban migration challenges could cap appreciation. The current risk grade of A reflects a safe, albeit unexciting, investment environment. With homes moving off the market in just 31 days, demand remains healthy, but the neutral buy/rent verdict suggests that neither side holds a distinct advantage. Expect steady, low-single-digit growth as the market prioritizes stability over speculative gains.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
3.6%
5yr CAGR
+2.5%

Job Market

Unemployment 4.5%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +0.5%

Healthcare

77
Score
Good

Risk Factors

High Crime Area

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-01-31
Sale-to-List 98.4%
Months Supply 4.3
Price Drops 13%
Gone in 2 Wks 36%

Market Position

Affordability Average
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Estimate your total return

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Chicago.

Total ROI
-41%
on $73,000 invested
Annual ROI
-10.2%
compounded
Total Return
-$30,270
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$1,384
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y185kY296kY3109kY4122kY5135k
Appreciation
$44,751
Cash Flow
-$75,021
Final Equity
$134,863

* Estimates based on 2.3% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Investment Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Income Estimator

Pre-filled for Chicago

Property

Purchase Price$365,000
Monthly Rent$1,507
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$1,208
Monthly Cash Flow
-$14,498/ year
-19.9%
Cash-on-Cash
2.1%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,507
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,846
โˆ’ Property Tax$365
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$304
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$75
= Net Cash Flow-$1,208

Investment Summary

Down Payment
$73,000
Loan Amount
$292,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$2,715
Gross Yield
5.0%

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: March 2026