Real Estate Investing in Sycamore, Illinois (60178)

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

DeKalb County • Population: 21,709 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 60178 (Sycamore, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

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 Sycamore, IL (60178)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $326,852
Avg Monthly Rent $1,435
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,787
% Renters 28.5%

Market Analysis: 60178 Sycamore

Investors eyeing 60178 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $327K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $327K asset, 60178 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

The gap between 60178 and stronger Sycamore ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 60178 ZIP's population of 21,709 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 60178 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 Sycamore:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,435/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 60178

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$92,427/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $218,610 $1,410 4.6% +7.7% $109,305
3BR $302,822 $1,870 4.4% +7.8% $100,941
4BR $396,231 $2,260 4.1% +7.8% $99,058
5BR $462,134 +7.5% $92,427

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$341K$301K$261K$221K$181K$141KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,673$1,622$1,571$1,520$1,468$1,417Oct 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60178 Compare?

Metric 60178 Sycamore Illinois
Home Value $326,852 $326,852 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.9% 6.9% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,435 $1,435 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 60178? 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 60178 (Sycamore, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 60178 (Sycamore, IL)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $326,852
Monthly Rent $1,435
Price-to-Rent 19.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
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
4.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60178

Population: 21,709

💰 Median Household Income
$84,787
This area
$84,787
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
44.8%
This area
44.8%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.7 years
This area
37.7 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.9%
Other/Mixed 5.9%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
Black/African American 3.1%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
25.6%
This area
25.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.3%
This area
15.3%
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 60178

A+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
13.6:1 Avg Class Size
$21,442 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

West Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$21,442 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Grove Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
424 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,442 Per Student
A+ Excellent

South Prairie Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
367 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,442 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Southeast Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,442 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
291 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,442 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Sycamore Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
836 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$21,442 Per Student
A Very Good

Sycamore High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,190 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,442 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

4 Nearby 1,081 Off-Campus Students
D
Hair Professionals Career College
65 students · 3.9 mi
D
Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology
65 students · 6.6 mi
B
Northern Illinois University
15,504 students · 7.0 mi
C
Kishwaukee College
2,807 students · 11.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,081 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Sycamore, IL a good investment right now?

Sycamore, IL scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $327K and rents near $1,435/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What are home prices like in Sycamore, IL?

Median home price in Sycamore, IL is near $327K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What investment strategy works best in Sycamore, IL?

Most investors in Sycamore, 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.

Does Sycamore, IL favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Sycamore, IL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Is vacancy a concern in Sycamore, IL?

Expect elevated vacancy in Sycamore, IL. Rents at $1,435/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 60178 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 60178 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.

Compare Plans

How 60178 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 60178 (Sycamore)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 60178 (Sycamore, IL).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.