CapRateCity · Vol. II No. 32Established 2025775 US Markets Tracked
CapRateCity
An independent investor's notebook on US rental markets.
Live Markets
US Median
3.5%
Range
0.3%9.7%
Markets
775
Roanoke Rapids, NC9.7%Orangeburg, SC8.6%Meridian, MS8.4%Ozark, AL8.3%Kingsville, TX8.2%Enterprise, AL7.9%
The Cover · Rental Property Intelligence · 775 US Markets

Where the cash flow actually is.

Cap rates, rents, and price-to-rent ratios for every US metro — calculated from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI data and refreshed monthly. Free calculators, no signup, no fluff.

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Top 5 cap rates · this month
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01Roanoke Rapids, NC$100K9.7%02Orangeburg, SC$150K8.6%03Meridian, MS$120K8.4%04Ozark, AL$155K8.3%05Kingsville, TX$150K8.2%
Source: Zillow ZHVI / ZORIUpdated Feb 2026
Feature § 01

Highest Cap Rate Cities

All 775 markets →
CityCap RatePriceRent/Mo1% RuleTaxVacancyGrowth
01Roanoke Rapids, NC9.7%$100K$9901.0%0.78%5.3%1.5%
02Orangeburg, SC8.6%$150K$1,3200.9%0.57%5.5%1.9%
03Meridian, MS8.4%$120K$1,0700.9%0.66%7.4%0.2%
04Ozark, AL8.3%$155K$1,3100.8%0.42%6.4%0.8%
05Kingsville, TX8.2%$150K$1,4200.9%1.72%5.8%1.8%
06Enterprise, AL7.9%$175K$1,4200.8%0.42%6.4%0.8%
07Vidalia, GA7.8%$165K$1,4000.8%0.93%6.2%0.9%
08Decatur, IL7.7%$120K$1,1200.9%2.06%5.9%0.2%
09Lumberton, NC7.6%$130K$1,0500.8%0.78%5.3%1.5%
10McComb, MS7.4%$105K$8400.8%0.66%7.4%0.2%
Feature § 02

The Cap Rate Atlas

Interactive map →
Cap Rate
6%+
4–6%
<4%
Explore Map →
Feature § 03

The Calculator Bench

All free, all instant
Chrome Extension
Analyze Any Zillow or Redfin Listing Instantly
Cap rate, cash flow, and investment returns on every property listing — right on the page.
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Primer § 04

How to Evaluate a Rental Property

The four metrics every investor reaches for first — and what each one actually tells you.
Cap Rate
Net operating income divided by purchase price. The single most important metric for comparing properties on an apples-to-apples basis. Above 6% is generally strong for residential.
Cash-on-Cash Return
Annual cash flow divided by total cash invested. Unlike cap rate, this factors in your financing. Shows you the actual return on every dollar you put in.
The 1% Rule
Monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price. A quick screening test — if a property doesn't pass, it needs exceptional circumstances to cash flow.
Gross Rent Multiplier
Purchase price divided by annual gross rent. Under 15x is generally favorable. A fast way to compare properties before running full analysis.
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Top 25 Cash Flow Cities for Rental Investors (2026)
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The CapRateCity Report
Weekly market analysis: highest cap rate cities, emerging markets, and deal breakdowns. Free, no spam.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cap rate?+
What is a good cap rate for rental property?+
How is cap rate different from cash-on-cash return?+
What is the 1% rule in real estate?+
What is the BRRRR strategy?+
Where does CapRateCity get its data?+