Is Dane County, WI good for real estate investing?

Dane County has an investment score of 55/100, rated as "Hold". The county ranks #665 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Dane?

The rent-to-price ratio in Dane County is 4.86% annually, which ranks in the 20th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Dane?

The median home price in Dane County is $448,398. This ranks #868 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Dane?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Dane County would generate negative cash flow of $1,169/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Dane County

WisconsinPopulation: 559,891

/100

Hold

#665 of 1,000 counties

#61 in Wisconsin (72 counties)

Market Snapshot

$448,398

Median Home Price

64% above national median

$1,817/mo

Median Rent

21% above national median

4.86%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 80% nationally

-$1,169

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$448,398

Down Payment (20%)$89,680

Loan Amount$358,718

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,817

Monthly P&I-$2,351

Est. Expenses (35%)-$636

Net Cash Flow-$1,169/mo

3.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-13.6%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.86%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

55/100

Cash Flow(30%)

43/100

Based on 4.86% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

77/100

Based on 2.6% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

50/100

Price-to-income ratio of 5.3x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.86%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,169/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

559,891

Median Income

$84,297

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

5.3x

Less affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
CurrentDaneWI	55	$448,398	$1,817	4.86%	Hold
WaukeshaWI	55	$475,410	$1,594	4.02%	Hold	View
BrownWI	55	$336,447	$1,092	3.89%	Hold	View
OzaukeeWI	55	$470,334	$1,781	4.54%	Hold	View
DunnWI	55	$300,813	$1,097	4.38%	Hold	View
La CrosseWI	54	$314,821	$1,284	4.89%	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

HoldDane is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Dane County in Wisconsin scores 55/100, ranking #665 of 1,000 US counties (top 66%). The 4.86% rent-to-price ratio may require creative strategies or below-market purchases for positive cash flow. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,169/mo

Cap Rate

3.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-13.6%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Dane?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$448,398

Down Payment (20%)$89,680

Loan Amount$358,718

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,817

Monthly P&I-$2,351

Est. Expenses (35%)-$636

Net Cash Flow-$1,169/mo

3.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-13.6%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.86%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

55/100

Cash Flow(30%)

43/100

Based on 4.86% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

77/100

Based on 2.6% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

50/100

Price-to-income ratio of 5.3x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

CurrentDaneWI

$448,398

$1,817

4.86%

Hold

WaukeshaWI

$475,410

$1,594

4.02%

Hold

View

BrownWI

$336,447

$1,092

3.89%

Hold

View

OzaukeeWI

$470,334

$1,781

4.54%

Hold

View

DunnWI

$300,813

$1,097

4.38%

Hold

View

La CrosseWI

$314,821

$1,284

4.89%

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

HoldDane is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,169/mo

Cap Rate

3.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-13.6%