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CapRateCity
Free cap rate calculators for every US market

About CapRateCity

Free cap rate calculators and data-driven rental property analysis for 775+ US markets.

Our Mission

CapRateCity exists because rental property investing shouldn't require expensive software or paid subscriptions just to run basic numbers. Every investor — from someone analyzing their first duplex to a portfolio owner expanding into new markets — deserves free access to the same data and tools that institutional investors use.

We track 775 metro-level markets across 51 states, providing cap rate estimates, cash flow projections, and investment analysis that's updated with each Zillow data release. Every calculator on this site is free, requires no signup, and runs entirely in your browser.

Who We Are

CapRateCity is built and maintained by Jacob McEwen, a software engineer and real estate data analyst who got frustrated with the lack of free, accurate, city-level rental property data online. Most "cap rate" searches return generic articles with no actual data, or paywalled platforms that charge $50-$200/month for basic market metrics.

We built what we wished existed: a free tool that lets you compare cap rates, run cash flow projections, and analyze deals across every major US market — all in one place, with real data, and without paying a dime.

Our Data Sources

Accuracy matters. Bad data leads to bad investment decisions. That's why we use institutional-grade sources:

Home PricesZillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
Metro-level, smoothed and seasonally adjusted median home values. The same index used by economists, banks, and institutional investors.
Rental RatesZillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI)
Metro-level median rents based on observed listing data, covering both single-family and multifamily properties.
Property TaxesCounty Assessor Data
Effective property tax rates compiled from state and county assessor records, reflecting actual tax burdens (not nominal rates).
Population & IncomeUS Census Bureau
American Community Survey estimates for population, household income, and demographic data at the metro level.
Vacancy RatesCensus Bureau & HUD
Rental vacancy rates from the Current Population Survey / Housing Vacancy Survey, supplemented by HUD estimates.

How We Calculate Cap Rates

Cap rate = Net Operating Income (NOI) / Purchase Price. Our NOI calculation uses conservative, industry-standard assumptions:

Gross Annual Rent = Median monthly rent × 12
Less: Vacancy = City-specific vacancy rate (ranges from 3% to 10%+)
Less: Property Taxes = Purchase price × effective tax rate
Less: Insurance = ~0.4% of property value
Less: Maintenance = ~0.8% of property value
= Net Operating Income (NOI)

Cap Rate = NOI / Purchase Price × 100

We intentionally use conservative expense estimates. Real-world expenses vary by property condition, age, and location — but our estimates provide a realistic baseline that's far more accurate than gross rent multiplier calculations that ignore operating costs entirely.

Important Disclaimers

CapRateCity provides market-level estimates based on metro-area median data. Individual properties, neighborhoods, and deals can vary significantly from metro medians. Our tools are designed for market screening and preliminary analysis — not as a substitute for property-specific due diligence.

We are not licensed real estate agents, brokers, financial advisors, or tax professionals. The information on this site is for educational and informational purposes only. Always consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions. Past performance and historical data do not guarantee future results.

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we believe are genuinely useful for rental property investors. Affiliate relationships never influence our data, rankings, or editorial content.

Our Other Projects

CapRateCity is part of a suite of free financial tools for real estate investors and homeowners:

MortgageMathLab.com
Mortgage calculators, payment breakdowns, and homebuyer tools
TakeHomeTax.com
Take-home pay calculators and state tax comparison tools
InsuranceCostCity.com
Insurance cost comparison across 700+ cities — homeowners, renters, landlord, and auto

Contact

Questions, feedback, or data corrections? We want to hear from you. Reach us through The Numbers Letter or connect via the email signup below.

The CapRateCity Report
Weekly market analysis: highest cap rate cities, emerging markets, and deal breakdowns. Free, no spam.