Real Estate Investing in Medford, Wisconsin (54451)

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

Taylor County • Population: 11,051 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 54451 (Medford, WI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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: 13.8% 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 Medford, WI (54451)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $248,988
Avg Monthly Rent $900
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,885
% Renters 23.8%

Market Analysis: 54451 Medford

This part of Taylor County is not an easy win. The 54451 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Rent of $900/mo on a $249K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 54451 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 54451 among WI's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 54451 ZIP's population of 11,051 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 54451 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Medford:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $900/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$259K$231K$202K$174K$145K$117KMay 2011Dec 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 54451 Compare?

Metric 54451 Medford Wisconsin
Home Value $248,988 $248,988 $320,446
5-Year CAGR 4.8% 4.8% 7.3%
Avg Rent $900 $900 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 54451? 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 54451 (Medford, WI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $248,988
Monthly Rent $900
Price-to-Rent 23.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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.

Vacancy
13.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 54451

Population: 11,051

💰 Median Household Income
$62,885
This area
$62,885
State
$73,177
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.8%
This area
23.8%
State
22.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-1.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
17.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.8 years
This area
44.8 years
State
35.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
17.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.0%
Other/Mixed 3.4%
Hispanic/Latino 1.9%
Black/African American 0.3%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
21.7%
This area
21.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.8%
This area
19.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
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 54451

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
16.0:1 Avg Class Size
$13,202 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Medford Middle

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
598 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,202 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Medford Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
595 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,202 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Medford High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
685 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,202 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Rural Virtual Academy

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
2,125 Students
👨‍🏫
26.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,202 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Medford, WI?

Average rent in Medford, WI is approximately $900/mo per month. Against $249K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What are home prices like in Medford, WI?

Typical homes in Medford, WI go for around $249K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

Is Medford, WI a smart market for rental property?

Investors tracking Medford, WI will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $249K median home values and $900/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

Is Medford, WI good for house hacking?

House hacking works a challenging in Medford, WI. Rents of $900/mo against $249K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What is the best play in Medford, WI?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Medford, WI. With home values at $249K and rents near $900/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.

You know 54451 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 54451 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.

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