Real Estate Investing in Carol Stream, Illinois (60188)

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

DuPage County • Population: 42,087 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60188 (Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream, IL (60188)?

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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 $391,605
Avg Monthly Rent $1,835
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $104,394
% Renters 30.8%

Market Analysis: 60188 Carol Stream

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Carol Stream's 60188 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $392K pricing implies.

Rent of $1,835/mo on a $392K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 60188 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 60188's metrics run below DuPage County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

From a cash-flow lens, 42,087 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Strategy in 60188 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $392K 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 Carol Stream:

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 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,835/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 60188

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+9.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$114,221/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $167,541 $1,610 6.9% +9.4% $167,541
2BR $272,011 $1,810 4.8% +9.0% $136,006
3BR $359,162 $2,330 4.7% +7.4% $119,721
4BR $470,197 $2,700 4.1% +7.5% $117,549
5BR $571,105 +7.6% $114,221

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$410K$360K$310K$260K$209K$159KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,933$1,799$1,665$1,531$1,398$1,264Mar 2021Nov 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60188 Compare?

Metric 60188 Carol Stream Illinois
Home Value $391,605 $391,605 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.3% 6.3% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,835 $1,835 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 60188? 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 60188 (Carol Stream, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving DuPage County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Hillcrest Property Management is an HOA Management Company serving HOAs. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Redbrick Property Management specializes in HOA, Condo, Townhouse, Community Management for large-scale, master-planned, gated, and senior communities in Lombard. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free
Acm Community Management
Downers Grove, IL

ACM Community Management is part of RealManage. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $391,605
Monthly Rent $1,835
Price-to-Rent 17.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -1.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
2.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60188

Population: 42,087

💰 Median Household Income
$104,394
This area
$104,394
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.8%
This area
30.8%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
42.8%
This area
42.8%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.5 years
This area
39.5 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 60.5%
Asian 18.4%
Other/Mixed 14.6%
Hispanic/Latino 12.0%
Black/African American 6.4%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.6%
This area
15.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
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 60188

A+ Avg School Grade
9 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$26,498 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Heritage Lakes Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
325 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$28,189 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Jay Stream Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
532 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$28,189 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Western Trails Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
303 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$28,189 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Cloverdale Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
561 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$28,189 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Evergreen Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
388 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,673 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Roy De Shane Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
192 Students
👨‍🏫
8.1:1 Class Size
💰
$28,189 Per Student
A Very Good

Carol Stream Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
408 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$28,189 Per Student
A Very Good

Spring Trail Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
484 Students
👨‍🏫
20.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,015 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Glenbard North High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,143 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,663 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

G Stanley Hall Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1447 Wayne Ave, Glendale Heights
👥
329 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$28,351 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marquardt Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1912 Glen Ellyn Rd, Glendale Heights
👥
775 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,351 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Reskin Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1555 Ardmore Ave, Glendale Heights
👥
335 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$28,351 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Americana Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 1629 President St, Glendale Heights
👥
413 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$20,349 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Glen Hill Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
📍 1324 Bloomingdale Rd, Glendale Heights
👥
411 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,349 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

8 Nearby 6,268 Off-Campus Students
C
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights
148 students · 3.4 mi
C+
Wheaton College
2,799 students · 3.5 mi
C
Pivot Point Academy
113 students · 3.9 mi
C
Chamberlain University-Illinois
28,897 students · 5.2 mi
C
College of DuPage
23,216 students · 5.9 mi
C
Cannella School of Hair Design-Villa Park
43 students · 7.0 mi
C
National University of Health Sciences
513 students · 7.1 mi
C
DeVry University-Illinois
29,346 students · 7.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 6,268 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carol Stream, IL a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Carol Stream, IL rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Which real estate strategy fits Carol Stream, IL?

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

What price range are homes in Carol Stream, IL?

Median home price in Carol Stream, IL is near $392K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Carol Stream, IL?

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

How high is vacancy risk in Carol Stream, IL?

Vacancy risk in Carol Stream, IL is elevated. That supports measured cash flow for typical rental holds.

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How 60188 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

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