Tahlequah, OK Cap Rate 4.99%
Tahlequah is a budget-friendly market in the South with a small but investable metro of 50,000. At a 4.99% estimated cap rate, this is a moderate market where rents of $1,210/mo lag behind home prices. With a median home price of $205,000 and steady population growth supports long-term rental demand, Tahlequah 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: Tahlequah
Tahlequah's 0.6% rent-to-price ratio is well below the 1% rule. At median prices of $205,000, the $1,210/mo rent produces only $853/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 $-238/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.
The 14.1x gross rent multiplier and 5.8% vacancy rate position Tahlequah as a balanced market. With annual appreciation at 2.5%, total returns (cash flow + equity growth) run approximately 7.5% before financing leverage.
Deal Modeling & Scenarios for Tahlequah
All figures below are computed from Tahlequah's real market medians. Use them as a baseline; override with property-specific numbers in the calculators.
Property Tax Bill in Real Dollars
At 0.88% effective rate on the $205,000 median price, the annual tax bill is $1,804 — that's near national average (-17% 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 Tahlequah 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 | $1,210 | 5.0% |
| Year 1 | $210K | $1,246 | 5.0% |
| Year 2 | $215K | $1,284 | 5.0% |
| Year 3 | $221K | $1,322 | 5.1% |
| Year 4 | $226K | $1,362 | 5.1% |
| Year 5 | $232K | $1,403 | 5.1% |
Three Financing Scenarios
Same median-priced Tahlequah 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 | $853 | $10,234 | 5.0% |
| 20% down conventional @ 7% | $47K | $-238 | $-2,853 | -6.1% |
| 25% down DSCR @ 8.5% | $59K | $-330 | $-3,954 | -6.7% |
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 | $1,029 | $7,688 | 5.0% | $641 |
| At median | $205K | $1,210 | $8,731 | 4.3% | $728 |
| Above median (~125% price) | $256K | $1,392 | $9,783 | 3.8% | $815 |
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 Tahlequah's historical appreciation rate of 2.5%:
On a $41K down payment, that's a 60.9% total ROI over 5 years (not annualized). Tax benefits from depreciation are additional and depend on your personal tax bracket.
Risk Flags Specific to Tahlequah
Automated checks against the underlying data — surface only the risks that actually apply to Tahlequah, not generic boilerplate:
Cap Rate Calculator — Tahlequah
Pre-filled with Tahlequah medians. Adjust to match a specific property.
Cash-on-Cash Return — Tahlequah
Factor in financing to see your actual return on invested capital in Tahlequah.
Is Tahlequah a Good Place to Invest in Rental Property?
Tahlequah, OK has a population of 50,000 and has been growing at 0.9% 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 $1,210/mo produces an estimated cap rate of 4.99%.
Property taxes at 0.88% fall within the national average range and shouldn't present unusual challenges. The vacancy rate of 5.8% is moderate and within normal parameters for a healthy rental market.
At a price-to-income ratio of 3.6x, homes cost about 3.6 times the local median income of $56,350. 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: Tahlequah presents moderate opportunities. Cap rates near 4.99% mean deals need careful sourcing — look for value-add rehabs or emerging neighborhoods where rents are climbing.