Best ZIP Codes for Cash Flow in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI (2026)

Ranked by cap rate — the annual return on the purchase price before financing. ZIPs that also clear the 1% rule are marked.

# 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 46406 1% rule Gary, IN $79,226 $1,338 13.17% 7.5%
5 60428 1% rule Markham, IL $158,450 $2,500 12.31% 5.6%
6 60426 1% rule Harvey, IL $108,267 $1,693 12.19% 4.5%
7 60419 1% rule Dolton, IL $158,171 $2,287 11.28% 2.6%
8 46379 1% rule Lake Village, IN $76,634 $1,098 11.18% -1.6%
9 46404 1% rule Gary, IN $97,431 $1,390 11.13% 7.7%
10 60429 1% rule Hazel Crest, IL $187,646 $2,538 10.55% 4.6%
11 60473 1% rule South Holland, IL $231,620 $2,995 10.09% 4.4%
12 46408 1% rule Gary, IN $110,846 $1,429 10.06% 6.1%
13 60621 1% rule Chicago, IL $125,693 $1,584 9.83% 3.9%
14 60472 1% rule Robbins, IL $117,385 $1,458 9.69% 8.1%
15 60425 1% rule Glenwood, IL $222,063 $2,735 9.61% 7.2%
16 60478 1% rule Country Club Hills, IL $216,524 $2,575 9.28% 4.3%
17 60628 1% rule Chicago, IL $148,745 $1,723 9.03% 0.6%
18 60466 1% rule Park Forest, IL $161,360 $1,806 8.73% 6.3%
19 46405 1% rule Lake Station, IN $159,257 $1,670 8.18% 7.0%
20 60649 1% rule Chicago, IL $137,854 $1,395 7.89% -2.1%
21 60409 1% rule Calumet City, IL $156,920 $1,577 7.84% 4.3%
22 60827 Riverdale, IL $134,122 $1,306 7.60% 4.9%
23 60636 Chicago, IL $141,968 $1,373 7.54% 5.7%
24 60443 Matteson, IL $275,537 $2,621 7.42% 4.4%
25 60484 University Park, IL $200,139 $1,900 7.40% 7.0%

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

Appreciation in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI  ·  Affordable 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.