Terre Haute, IN Cap Rate 5.23%
Terre Haute is one of the most affordable markets in the country in the Midwest with a small but investable metro of 50,000. At a 5.23% estimated cap rate, this is a moderate market where rents of $970/mo lag behind home prices. With a median home price of $160,000 and steady population growth supports long-term rental demand, Terre Haute 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: Terre Haute
Terre Haute's 0.6% rent-to-price ratio is well below the 1% rule. At median prices of $160,000, the $970/mo rent produces only $698/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 ($32K at 7%) would result in approximately $-153/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 13.7x gross rent multiplier and 5.5% vacancy rate position Terre Haute as a value-oriented market. With annual appreciation at 2.6%, total returns (cash flow + equity growth) run approximately 7.8% before financing leverage.
Deal Modeling & Scenarios for Terre Haute
All figures below are computed from Terre Haute's real market medians. Use them as a baseline; override with property-specific numbers in the calculators.
Property Tax Bill in Real Dollars
At 0.84% effective rate on the $160,000 median price, the annual tax bill is $1,344 — that's below national average (-21% 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 Terre Haute continues appreciating at 2.6%/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 | $160K | $970 | 5.2% |
| Year 1 | $164K | $999 | 5.3% |
| Year 2 | $168K | $1,029 | 5.3% |
| Year 3 | $173K | $1,060 | 5.3% |
| Year 4 | $177K | $1,092 | 5.3% |
| Year 5 | $182K | $1,124 | 5.3% |
Three Financing Scenarios
Same median-priced Terre Haute 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 | $160K | $698 | $8,376 | 5.2% |
| 20% down conventional @ 7% | $37K | $-153 | $-1,839 | -5.0% |
| 25% down DSCR @ 8.5% | $46K | $-225 | $-2,698 | -5.8% |
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) | $120K | $825 | $6,284 | 5.2% | $524 |
| At median | $160K | $970 | $7,153 | 4.5% | $596 |
| Above median (~125% price) | $200K | $1,116 | $8,033 | 4.0% | $669 |
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 Terre Haute's historical appreciation rate of 2.6%:
On a $32K down payment, that's a 69.7% total ROI over 5 years (not annualized). Tax benefits from depreciation are additional and depend on your personal tax bracket.
Risk Flags Specific to Terre Haute
Automated checks against the underlying data — surface only the risks that actually apply to Terre Haute, not generic boilerplate:
Cap Rate Calculator — Terre Haute
Pre-filled with Terre Haute medians. Adjust to match a specific property.
Cash-on-Cash Return — Terre Haute
Factor in financing to see your actual return on invested capital in Terre Haute.
Is Terre Haute a Good Place to Invest in Rental Property?
Terre Haute, IN 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 $160,000 paired with median rents of $970/mo produces an estimated cap rate of 5.23%.
Property taxes at 0.84% fall within the national average range and shouldn't present unusual challenges. The vacancy rate of 5.5% is moderate and within normal parameters for a healthy rental market.
At a price-to-income ratio of 2.6x, homes cost about 2.6 times the local median income of $60,888. 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 2.6% annually. Steady appreciation means total returns will be primarily cash flow-driven — the more sustainable model for long-term wealth building.
Bottom line: Terre Haute presents moderate opportunities. Cap rates near 5.23% mean deals need careful sourcing — look for value-add rehabs or emerging neighborhoods where rents are climbing.