Real Estate Investing in Buffalo, Kentucky (42716)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Larue County • Population: 1,640 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 42716 (Buffalo, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 13.2% 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 Buffalo, KY (42716)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $222,035
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,761
% Renters 19.3%

Market Analysis: 42716 Buffalo

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Buffalo's 42716 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $222K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 42716 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 42716 among KY's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 42716 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The 42716 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.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Buffalo:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.4%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 42716

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+10.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$76,803/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $165,428 $970 4.2% +10.8% $82,714
3BR $230,408 $1,360 4.2% +10.8% $76,803

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$239K$206K$173K$140K$107K$74KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 42716 Compare?

Metric 42716 Buffalo Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY Kentucky
Home Value $222,035 $222,035 N/A $225,788
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 7.6% N/A 6.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 42716? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 42716 (Buffalo, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $222,035
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 21.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 10.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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.

Vacancy
13.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 42716

Population: 1,640

💰 Median Household Income
$46,761
This area
$46,761
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.8%
This area
7.8%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.7 years
This area
42.7 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.2%
This area
13.2%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.3%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Black/African American 3.2%
👶 Under 18
21.1%
This area
21.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.9%
This area
12.9%
USA
11.5%

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Buffalo, KY?

Rental rates in Buffalo, KY average $873/mo. Tenant demand and $222K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the typical renter like in Buffalo, KY?

Buffalo, KY offers a consistent renter base at the $873/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How should investors approach Buffalo, KY?

Most investors in Buffalo, KY run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Is Buffalo, KY a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Buffalo, KY will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $222K median home values and $873/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

Is KY a landlord-friendly state?

The landlord environment in Buffalo, KY is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

You know 42716 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 42716 ranks in Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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