Lexington, NE Cap Rate 4.63%
Lexington is a budget-friendly market in the Midwest with a small but investable metro of 50,000. At a 4.63% estimated cap rate, this is a moderate market where rents of $1,270/mo lag behind home prices. With a median home price of $205,000 and steady population growth supports long-term rental demand, Lexington offers opportunities for investors who source deals carefully.
Market data powered by Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) · Updated Feb 2026
Market Data
2026 Market Update: Lexington
Lexington's 0.6% rent-to-price ratio is well below the 1% rule. At median prices of $205,000, the $1,270/mo rent produces only $791/mo in NOI. Investors here need to target below-median properties or pursue value-add strategies to make the numbers work.
At current rates, a 20% down conventional loan ($41K at 7%) would result in approximately $-300/mo cash flow — negative at median prices. Larger down payments, seller financing, or buying 15–25% below median are strategies to turn the numbers positive.
Property taxes consume 22% of gross rent here — one of the highest ratios in our dataset. This significantly compresses margins and makes Lexington a market where tax-conscious underwriting is essential. Every deal should be stress-tested with potential assessment increases.
Deal Modeling & Scenarios for Lexington
All figures below are computed from Lexington's real market medians. Use them as a baseline; override with property-specific numbers in the calculators.
Property Tax Bill in Real Dollars
At 1.62% effective rate on the $205,000 median price, the annual tax bill is $3,321 — that's very high (top 15% of US markets) (+53% vs the national average of ~1.06%). Verify the actual assessed value before purchase; sale-triggered reassessments can push the bill higher than the seller's current statement.
5-Year Cap Rate Trajectory
If Lexington continues appreciating at 2.5%/yr while rents grow at a conservative 3%/yr, cap rate holds roughly steady as price growth outpaces rent. Year-by-year projection at the median:
| Year | Est. Price | Est. Rent/Mo | Cap Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | $205K | $1,270 | 4.6% |
| Year 1 | $210K | $1,308 | 4.6% |
| Year 2 | $215K | $1,347 | 4.7% |
| Year 3 | $221K | $1,388 | 4.7% |
| Year 4 | $226K | $1,429 | 4.7% |
| Year 5 | $232K | $1,472 | 4.7% |
Three Financing Scenarios
Same median-priced Lexington property — different capital structures. All-cash maximizes cap rate. Leverage trades cash flow for higher cash-on-cash return when the spread between cap rate and borrowing cost is positive.
| Scenario | Cash Invested | Monthly Cash Flow | Annual CF | Cash-on-Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All cash | $205K | $791 | $9,487 | 4.6% |
| 20% down conventional @ 7% | $47K | $-300 | $-3,601 | -7.6% |
| 25% down DSCR @ 8.5% | $59K | $-392 | $-4,702 | -7.9% |
Three Price Tiers: Below, At, and Above the Median
Properties don't always trade at the median. Lower-priced units typically offer higher cap rates but harder operations; higher-priced properties tend to compress cap rates while attracting better tenants. All-cash assumptions below:
| Tier | Price | Rent/Mo | NOI/Yr | Cap Rate | Monthly CF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below median (~75% price) | $154K | $1,080 | $7,107 | 4.6% | $592 |
| At median | $205K | $1,270 | $7,868 | 3.8% | $656 |
| Above median (~125% price) | $256K | $1,461 | $8,639 | 3.4% | $720 |
Total Return Over a 5-Year Hold
Cap rate is just one piece. Real estate returns come from four sources: cash flow, appreciation, principal paydown, and tax benefits. Assuming 20% down conventional financing at 7% and a 5-year hold at Lexington's historical appreciation rate of 2.5%:
On a $41K down payment, that's a 51.8% total ROI over 5 years (not annualized). Tax benefits from depreciation are additional and depend on your personal tax bracket.
Risk Flags Specific to Lexington
Automated checks against the underlying data — surface only the risks that actually apply to Lexington, not generic boilerplate:
Cap Rate Calculator — Lexington
Pre-filled with Lexington medians. Adjust to match a specific property.
Cash-on-Cash Return — Lexington
Factor in financing to see your actual return on invested capital in Lexington.
Is Lexington a Good Place to Invest in Rental Property?
Lexington, NE has a population of 50,000 and has been growing at 0.7% annually — roughly in line with national trends, meaning demand is stable but not exceptional. The median home price of $205,000 paired with median rents of $1,270/mo produces an estimated cap rate of 4.63%.
Property taxes at 1.62% are notably high and represent a significant drag on cash flow — model this expense carefully, as it can make or break a deal. The vacancy rate of 5.2% is moderate and within normal parameters for a healthy rental market.
At a price-to-income ratio of 3.7x, homes cost about 3.7 times the local median income of $55,067. This relatively affordable ratio suggests a deep pool of renters who find buying out of reach, supporting rental demand. Home values have appreciated at roughly 2.5% annually. Steady appreciation means total returns will be primarily cash flow-driven — the more sustainable model for long-term wealth building.
Bottom line: Lexington presents moderate opportunities. Cap rates near 4.63% mean deals need careful sourcing — look for value-add rehabs or emerging neighborhoods where rents are climbing.