Most Affordable ZIP Codes in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI (2026)
The lowest entry prices that still hold a decent investability rating — cheap is only useful if the market underneath it is sound.
| # | ZIP | City | Home value | Rent | Cap rate | 5-yr growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46407 1% rule | Gary, IN | $57,287 | $1,169 | 15.92% | 6.3% |
| 2 | 46402 1% rule | Gary, IN | $61,729 | $1,150 | 14.53% | 4.2% |
| 3 | 46409 1% rule | Gary, IN | $75,636 | $1,340 | 13.82% | 5.6% |
| 4 | 46379 1% rule | Lake Village, IN | $76,634 | $1,098 | 11.18% | -1.6% |
| 5 | 46406 1% rule | Gary, IN | $79,226 | $1,338 | 13.17% | 7.5% |
| 6 | 46404 1% rule | Gary, IN | $97,431 | $1,390 | 11.13% | 7.7% |
| 7 | 60426 1% rule | Harvey, IL | $108,267 | $1,693 | 12.19% | 4.5% |
| 8 | 46408 1% rule | Gary, IN | $110,846 | $1,429 | 10.06% | 6.1% |
| 9 | 60472 1% rule | Robbins, IL | $117,385 | $1,458 | 9.69% | 8.1% |
| 10 | 60621 1% rule | Chicago, IL | $125,693 | $1,584 | 9.83% | 3.9% |
| 11 | 46312 | East Chicago, IN | $129,310 | $1,021 | 6.16% | 6.6% |
| 12 | 60827 | Riverdale, IL | $134,122 | $1,306 | 7.60% | 4.9% |
| 13 | 60649 1% rule | Chicago, IL | $137,854 | $1,395 | 7.89% | -2.1% |
| 14 | 60636 | Chicago, IL | $141,968 | $1,373 | 7.54% | 5.7% |
| 15 | 46320 | Hammond, IN | $143,822 | $1,354 | 7.34% | 7.1% |
| 16 | 60628 1% rule | Chicago, IL | $148,745 | $1,723 | 9.03% | 0.6% |
| 17 | 46403 | Gary, IN | $150,501 | $1,415 | 7.33% | 4.5% |
| 18 | 60409 1% rule | Calumet City, IL | $156,920 | $1,577 | 7.84% | 4.3% |
| 19 | 47948 | Goodland, IN | $157,084 | $864 | 4.29% | 4.9% |
| 20 | 60419 1% rule | Dolton, IL | $158,171 | $2,287 | 11.28% | 2.6% |
| 21 | 60428 1% rule | Markham, IL | $158,450 | $2,500 | 12.31% | 5.6% |
| 22 | 46327 | Hammond, IN | $158,552 | $1,363 | 6.70% | 6.7% |
| 23 | 46405 1% rule | Lake Station, IN | $159,257 | $1,670 | 8.18% | 7.0% |
| 24 | 60466 1% rule | Park Forest, IL | $161,360 | $1,806 | 8.73% | 6.3% |
| 25 | 60619 | Chicago, IL | $170,535 | $1,450 | 6.63% | -0.7% |
Ranked from Repit’s own ZIP-level data — Zillow home values and rents, HUD fair-market rents where Zillow has no coverage, and U.S. Census vacancy. Cap rate is gross: annual rent over purchase price, before financing and expenses. Every ZIP above links to its full free page. How we calculate this →
Same metro, different strategy
Cash Flow in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI · Appreciation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI · 1% Rule in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
Or see the full Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metro profile.
