Real Estate Investing in Russell Springs, Kentucky (42642)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 42642 (Russell Springs, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 24.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Russell Springs, KY (42642)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 42642 Russell Springs
The 42642 ZIP in Russell Springs, KY is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $166K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 42642 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Within KY, ZIP 42642 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Russell County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.
Employment concentration in 42642 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
The 42642 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Russell Springs:
Property Strategy for 42642
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $127,472 | $890 | 5.0% | +12.1% | $63,736 |
| 3BR | $186,406 | $1,100 | 4.2% | +10.6% | $62,135 |
| 4BR | $298,372 | $1,310 | 3.2% | +9.3% | $74,593 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 42642 Compare?
| Metric | 42642 | Russell Springs | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $165,971 | $165,971 | $225,788 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 8.3% | 8.3% | 6.9% |
| Avg Rent | $801 | $801 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 42642 (Russell Springs, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 42642 (Russell Springs, KY)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $165,971 |
| Monthly Rent | $801 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 12.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 42642
Population: 12,951
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 42642
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
How do home values compare in Russell Springs, KY?
In Russell Springs, KY the median home value sits at $166K. Against the broader KY market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Does Russell Springs, KY favor landlords or tenants?
Rental owners in Russell Springs, KY deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
What is the typical renter like in Russell Springs, KY?
Russell Springs, KY offers a even-keeled renter base at the $801/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
Does house hacking make sense in Russell Springs, KY?
House hacking in Russell Springs, KY is reasonable to execute. Prices around $166K and rents of $801/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
Is Russell Springs, KY a smart market for rental property?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Russell Springs, KY ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $166K and rents of $801/mo drive the underlying numbers.
You know 42642 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 42642 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 42642 (Russell Springs)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 42642 (Russell Springs, KY).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.