Real Estate Investing in Marengo, Illinois (60152)

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

McHenry County • Population: 12,006 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60152 (Marengo, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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

📈 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 price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Marengo, IL (60152)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $363,530
Avg Monthly Rent $1,188
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $91,833
% Renters 25.0%

Market Analysis: 60152 Marengo

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Marengo's 60152 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $364K pricing implies.

Rent of $1,188/mo on a $364K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 60152 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

The gap between 60152 and stronger Marengo ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Resident income in 60152 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 60152 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $364K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Marengo:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,188/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 60152

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$90,200/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $221,434 $1,320 4.3% +7.9% $110,717
3BR $331,406 $1,700 3.7% +9.5% $110,469
4BR $394,197 $1,970 3.6% +8.7% $98,549
5BR $451,001 +8.7% $90,200

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$381K$331K$282K$233K$183K$134KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60152 Compare?

Metric 60152 Marengo Illinois
Home Value $363,530 $363,530 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 8.2% 8.2% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,188 $1,188 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 60152? 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 60152 (Marengo, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $363,530
Monthly Rent $1,188
Price-to-Rent 25.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
6.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60152

Population: 12,006

💰 Median Household Income
$91,833
This area
$91,833
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.0%
This area
25.0%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.7%
This area
25.7%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.8 years
This area
37.8 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.0%
This area
6.0%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.6%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 3.1%
Black/African American 0.7%
👶 Under 18
23.6%
This area
23.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.6%
This area
10.6%
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 60152

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$17,814 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Marengo High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
689 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,477 Per Student
A Very Good

Ulysses S Grant Intermediate Sch

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,218 Per Student
A Very Good

Riley Comm Cons School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
261 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,937 Per Student
A Very Good

Locust Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
538 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,218 Per Student
A Very Good

Marengo Comm Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
318 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,218 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 3,801 Off-Campus Students
C
McHenry County College
9,051 students · 13.2 mi
D
First Institute of Travel, Inc.
274 students · 14.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,801 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are landlord laws favorable in Marengo, IL?

Marengo, IL operates under IL law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect measured treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the typical renter like in Marengo, IL?

Marengo, IL offers a steady renter base at the $1,188/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Marengo, IL?

Average rent in Marengo, IL is approximately $1,188/mo per month. Against $364K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What investment strategy works best in Marengo, IL?

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

What is the average home sale price in Marengo, IL?

Typical homes in Marengo, IL go for around $364K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

You know 60152 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 60152 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

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