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MarketsWisconsinBeaver DamRental Property Investment Guide

Rental Property Investment Guide: Beaver Dam, WI

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Beaver Dam, WI

Cap Rate
1.78%
Median Price
$310K
Rent/Mo
$1,220
1% Rule
0.39%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Beaver Dam sits in the Midwest with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% annually. The median home costs $310,000 while rents average $1,220/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 1.78%. Cash flow investing here requires creative strategies like BRRRR or value-add approaches.

Who Should Invest Here

Beaver Dam works best for experienced investors with a clear strategy — Section 8, student housing, or deep value-add rehabs. The 1.78% cap rate at median prices is tight, so success depends on buying below market, forcing appreciation through renovation, or accessing above-market rent streams through niche tenant bases.

Deal Criteria for Beaver Dam

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $310,000 median — around $248,000 or less. At this price point with $1,220/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 2.9%. Factor in 1.88% property taxes ($5,828/yr), budget 5% of gross rent for maintenance, and underwrite to a 5.5% vacancy rate. On a 20% down conventional loan at 7%, monthly PITI will run approximately $2,235.

Risks and Considerations

Property taxes at 1.88% are notably high — this is a significant drag on NOI that some investors underestimate. Every deal should be evaluated individually using our calculator tools. Median data provides a starting point; actual returns depend on the specific property, financing, and your management approach.

Next Steps

Run the numbers on a specific Beaver Dam property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Beaver Dam data). Compare Beaver Dam against similar markets in the Midwest region. If you're considering a value-add approach, try our BRRRR calculator to model a rehab scenario.

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How Beaver Dam Compares

Beaver Dam vs Wisconsin state average and national average across key investment metrics. Beaver Dam's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Beaver Dam
Wisconsin Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
1.78%
1.83%
3.81%
Median Price
$310K
$309K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,220
$1,223
$1,524
Property Tax
1.88%
1.88%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.5%
5.5%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.5%/yr
0.5%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Beaver Dam, WI
1.8%
$310K
$1,220
1.88%
Columbia, MO
3.1%
$310K
$1,400
1.22%
Brookings, SD
3.3%
$310K
$1,450
1.2%
Dickinson, ND
2.8%
$310K
$1,250
0.98%
Eau Claire, WI
1.4%
$310K
$1,120
1.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beaver Dam, WI a good place to invest in rental property?
Beaver Dam has an estimated cap rate of 1.78%, which is below the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $310K and rents of $1,220/mo, pure cash flow investing in Beaver Dam is challenging at median prices, but value-add strategies can work. Population growth of 0.5% and 5.5% vacancy rate indicate healthy tenant demand.
What is the average cap rate in Beaver Dam?
The estimated cap rate for Beaver Dam is 1.78%, based on median home prices of $310K, median rents of $1,220/mo, a 1.88% property tax rate, and 5.5% vacancy. This compares to a 1.83% average across Wisconsin and 3.81% nationally. Cap rates for individual properties will vary based on purchase price, actual rents, and property condition.
How much does a rental property cost in Beaver Dam?
The median home price in Beaver Dam is $310,000, which is 7% below the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $62,000. Investment properties in Beaver Dam range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Beaver Dam property taxes for investors?
Beaver Dam's effective property tax rate is 1.88%, which is above the Wisconsin average of 1.88% and above the national average of 1.08%. On a $310K property, annual taxes are approximately $5,828 ($486/mo). Higher property taxes are one of the largest operating expenses — model this carefully.
Full Beaver Dam Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Beaver Dam & Related Markets

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