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MarketsWisconsinWhitewaterRental Property Investment Guide

Rental Property Investment Guide: Whitewater, WI

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Whitewater, WI

Cap Rate
1.17%
Median Price
$395K
Rent/Mo
$1,340
1% Rule
0.34%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Whitewater sits in the Midwest with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% annually. The median home costs $395,000 while rents average $1,340/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 1.17%. Cash flow investing here requires creative strategies like BRRRR or value-add approaches.

Who Should Invest Here

Whitewater works best for experienced investors with a clear strategy — Section 8, student housing, or deep value-add rehabs. The 1.17% 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 Whitewater

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $395,000 median — around $316,000 or less. At this price point with $1,340/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 2.1%. Factor in 1.88% property taxes ($7,426/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 $2,820.

Risks and Considerations

Property taxes at 1.88% are notably high — this is a significant drag on NOI that some investors underestimate. Higher price points mean more capital at risk and tighter cash flow margins — ensure you have adequate reserves. 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 Whitewater property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Whitewater data). Compare Whitewater 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 Whitewater Compares

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

Metric
Whitewater
Wisconsin Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
1.17%
1.83%
3.81%
Median Price
$395K
$309K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,340
$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
Whitewater, WI
1.2%
$395K
$1,340
1.88%
Traverse City, MI
3.3%
$400K
$1,970
1.46%
Ann Arbor, MI
3.5%
$405K
$2,040
1.48%
St. Paul, MN
3.0%
$380K
$1,660
1.15%
Minneapolis, MN
3.1%
$380K
$1,660
1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Whitewater, WI a good place to invest in rental property?
Whitewater has an estimated cap rate of 1.17%, which is below the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $395K and rents of $1,340/mo, pure cash flow investing in Whitewater 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 Whitewater?
The estimated cap rate for Whitewater is 1.17%, based on median home prices of $395K, median rents of $1,340/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 Whitewater?
The median home price in Whitewater is $395,000, which is 18% above the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $79,000. Investment properties in Whitewater range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Whitewater property taxes for investors?
Whitewater'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 $395K property, annual taxes are approximately $7,426 ($619/mo). Higher property taxes are one of the largest operating expenses — model this carefully.
Full Whitewater Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Whitewater & Related Markets

More Whitewater Guides

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

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