Real Estate Investing in Franklin, Indiana (46131)

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

Johnson County • Population: 35,502 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46131 (Franklin, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Franklin, IN (46131)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $286,619
Avg Monthly Rent $1,821
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $79,234
% Renters 26.2%

Market Analysis: 46131 Franklin

ZIP 46131 in Franklin, IN carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $287K and rents of $1,821/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 46131 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 46131's metrics run below Johnson County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 46131 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Franklin averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 46131, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Franklin:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,821/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
40 days
Average time to sell
Average
13.3%
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 46131

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$77,969/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $151,245 $1,230 5.9% +6.0% $151,245
2BR $198,538 $1,430 5.2% +8.7% $99,269
3BR $263,512 $1,850 5.1% +8.2% $87,837
4BR $331,998 $2,270 4.9% +7.2% $83,000
5BR $389,845 +6.8% $77,969

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$301K$260K$218K$177K$135K$94KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,883$1,703$1,524$1,345$1,166$986May 2016Jun 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46131 Compare?

Metric 46131 Franklin Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Indiana
Home Value $286,619 $286,619 N/A $248,442
5-Year CAGR 5.8% 5.8% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,821 $1,821 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 46131? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46131 (Franklin, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $286,619
Monthly Rent $1,821
Price-to-Rent 13.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.6%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
6.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46131

Population: 35,502

💰 Median Household Income
$79,234
This area
$79,234
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.2%
This area
26.2%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.6%
This area
23.6%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.9 years
This area
35.9 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.4%
This area
6.4%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.2%
Other/Mixed 4.6%
Black/African American 3.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
Asian 1.2%
👶 Under 18
24.5%
This area
24.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.7%
This area
14.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
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

🎓 Schools in 46131

B+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
15.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,087 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Custer Baker Intermediate School

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
736 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,351 Per Student
A Very Good

Franklin Community Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
741 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,351 Per Student
A Very Good

Needham Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Creekside Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
528 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Northwood Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
506 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,351 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Webb Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
285 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,351 Per Student
B Good

Clark Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
501 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,240 Per Student
C+ Average

Franklin Community High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,590 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,351 Per Student
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

2 Nearby
C
Franklin College
966 students · 0.5 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Indianapolis
224 students · 12.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What real estate strategy is ideal for Franklin, IN?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Franklin, IN best. The market produces reliable results for that approach at the $287K price point.

What are rental rates like in Franklin, IN?

Expect rents around $1,821/mo per month in Franklin, IN. With home values at $287K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What are vacancy rates like in Franklin, IN?

Rental vacancy in Franklin, IN is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is Franklin, IN a friendly market for rental owners?

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

What is the renter demographic in Franklin, IN?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Franklin, IN. The rental market absorbs $1,821/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 46131 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 46131 ranks in Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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