Real Estate Investing in Saint Charles, Illinois (60174)

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

Kane County • Population: 30,481 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60174 (Saint Charles, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (81/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Saint Charles, IL (60174)?

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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 $443,188
Avg Monthly Rent $1,925
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $99,185
% Renters 33.1%

Market Analysis: 60174 Saint Charles

ZIP 60174 inside Kane County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $443K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 60174 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $443K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 60174 among IL's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Resident income in 60174 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 60174 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Saint Charles:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,925/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 60174

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$126,247/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $316,189 $2,170 4.9% +9.5% $158,094
3BR $378,742 $2,790 5.3% +8.3% $126,247
4BR $529,700 $3,230 4.4% +8.7% $132,425
5BR $692,105 +9.5% $138,421

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$462K$407K$351K$295K$240K$184KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,973$1,835$1,698$1,560$1,423$1,285Feb 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60174 Compare?

Metric 60174 Saint Charles Illinois
Home Value $443,188 $443,188 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 7.4% 7.4% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,925 $1,925 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 60174? 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 60174 (Saint Charles, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $443,188
Monthly Rent $1,925
Price-to-Rent 19.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
4.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60174

Population: 30,481

💰 Median Household Income
$99,185
This area
$99,185
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.1%
This area
33.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
49.9%
This area
49.9%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.1 years
This area
42.1 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 82.4%
Other/Mixed 10.6%
Hispanic/Latino 8.1%
Asian 3.8%
Black/African American 3.2%
👶 Under 18
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.0%
This area
18.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
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 60174

B Avg School Grade
19 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$20,868 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Richmond Intermediate Sch

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
368 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Anderson Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
472 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Davis Primary School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
442 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Munhall Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
552 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lincoln Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
221 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A Very Good

Wild Rose Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
578 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A Very Good

Thompson Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,282 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A Very Good

Wredling Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,322 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
A Very Good

St Charles East High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,984 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,868 Per Student
B Good

Fox Ridge School

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
💰
$20,868 Per Student
C+ Average

Compass Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$20,868 Per Student
C Below Average

Mades-Johnstone Center

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Mid-Valley Satellite Classes

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Mid-Valley Transition Program

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Compass Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

Mades-Johnstone RSSP

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

New Directions Program

📚 04 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

Northeast Academy East

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

Northeast Academy North

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

8 Nearby 1,961 Off-Campus Students
C+
Elgin Community College
9,614 students · 6.4 mi
C
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin
154 students · 7.2 mi
C
Judson University
1,058 students · 9.3 mi
C+
Wheaton College
2,799 students · 11.0 mi
C
Ambria College of Nursing
195 students · 11.2 mi
C
Pivot Point Academy
113 students · 11.6 mi
C
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights
148 students · 12.1 mi
C+
Aurora University
5,935 students · 12.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,961 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does house hacking look like in Saint Charles, IL?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Saint Charles, IL reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

Are tenants stable in Saint Charles, IL?

Working renters make up the core of the Saint Charles, IL tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What price range are homes in Saint Charles, IL?

Median home price in Saint Charles, IL is near $443K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How do experienced investors play Saint Charles, IL?

The best-fit strategy in Saint Charles, IL is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Is Saint Charles, IL landlord-friendly?

IL ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Saint Charles generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

You know 60174 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 60174 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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How 60174 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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