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Rental Property Investment Guide: Fond du Lac, WI

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Fond du Lac, WI

Cap Rate
1.65%
Median Price
$280K
Rent/Mo
$1,070
1% Rule
0.38%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Fond du Lac sits in the Midwest with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% annually. The median home costs $280,000 while rents average $1,070/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 1.65%. Cash flow investing here requires creative strategies like BRRRR or value-add approaches.

Who Should Invest Here

Fond du Lac works best for experienced investors with a clear strategy — Section 8, student housing, or deep value-add rehabs. The 1.65% 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 Fond du Lac

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $280,000 median — around $224,000 or less. At this price point with $1,070/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 2.7%. Factor in 1.88% property taxes ($5,264/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 $2,028.

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 Fond du Lac property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Fond du Lac data). Compare Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac Compares

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

Metric
Fond du Lac
Wisconsin Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
1.65%
1.83%
3.81%
Median Price
$280K
$309K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,070
$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
Fond du Lac, WI
1.7%
$280K
$1,070
1.88%
Janesville, WI
2.3%
$280K
$1,230
1.88%
Vermillion, SD
1.9%
$280K
$950
1.2%
Indianapolis, IN
4.2%
$285K
$1,490
0.84%
Carmel, IN
4.4%
$285K
$1,490
0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fond du Lac, WI a good place to invest in rental property?
Fond du Lac has an estimated cap rate of 1.65%, which is below the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $280K and rents of $1,070/mo, pure cash flow investing in Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac?
The estimated cap rate for Fond du Lac is 1.65%, based on median home prices of $280K, median rents of $1,070/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 Fond du Lac?
The median home price in Fond du Lac is $280,000, which is 16% below the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $56,000. Investment properties in Fond du Lac range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Fond du Lac property taxes for investors?
Fond du Lac'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 $280K property, annual taxes are approximately $5,264 ($439/mo). Higher property taxes are one of the largest operating expenses — model this carefully.
Full Fond du Lac Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Fond du Lac & Related Markets

More Fond du Lac Guides

Rent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideCost of Living & AffordabilityAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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