Real Estate Investing in Chicago, Illinois (60616)

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

Cook County • Population: 54,456 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60616 (Chicago, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Declining values: -0.2% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

What’s happening in Chicago, IL (60616)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $346,649
Avg Monthly Rent $1,858
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,326
% Renters 62.1%

Market Analysis: 60616 Chicago

This part of Cook County is not an easy win. The 60616 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 60616 stands at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within IL, ZIP 60616 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Cook County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 60616 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 60616 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 Chicago:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,858/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 60616

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+3.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$126,991/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $251,722 $1,750 5.0% +2.3% $251,722
2BR $362,912 $1,970 3.9% +2.7% $181,456
3BR $462,439 $2,540 4.0% +3.6% $154,146
4BR $612,217 $2,930 3.4% +3.0% $153,054
5BR $634,954 +3.1% $126,991

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$374K$344K$313K$283K$252K$222KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,922$1,789$1,656$1,524$1,391$1,258Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60616 Compare?

Metric 60616 Chicago Illinois
Home Value $346,649 $345,093 $279,761
5-Year CAGR N/A 2.6% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,858 $2,056 -
Cap Rate 4.2% 5.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 60616? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

62% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 60616 (Chicago, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Cook County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

American Property Management of Illinois, Inc. (Associa) provides comprehensive HOA and condominium management services in Chicago and surrounding areas. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Blackhawk Realty Management, LLC provides professional property management and real estate services for its multifamily apartment portfolio, founded in 2004. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Buckingham Property Management, Inc. offers apartment rentals and management services. summary from their website

Small multifamily
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
4.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
-0.2%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $346,649
Monthly Rent $1,858
Price-to-Rent 15.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.2%
5-Year IRR 3.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR -0.2% ▼
10-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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
5.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.2%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60616

Population: 54,456

💰 Median Household Income
$72,326
This area
$72,326
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
62.1%
This area
62.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
51.3%
This area
51.3%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.6 years
This area
37.6 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Asian 35.5%
White 31.8%
Black/African American 25.1%
Other/Mixed 7.6%
Hispanic/Latino 4.3%
👶 Under 18
13.5%
This area
13.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.9%
This area
10.9%
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 60616

A Avg School Grade
15 Schools
15.6:1 Avg Class Size
$25,599 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Dunbar Vocational Career Acad HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Pershing Elem Humanities Magnet

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Drake Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
301 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Haines Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
482 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

National Teachers Elem Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
766 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

Ward J Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
495 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

James R Doolittle Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
257 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

South Loop Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
840 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

Urban Prep Chtr Bronzeville HS

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
167 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

Healy Elem School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
1,209 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

Sheridan Elem Math & Science Acad

📚 K – 08 School
👥
529 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
B+ Above Average

YCCS-McKinley-Lakeside Leadership

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
96 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Perspectives Chtr - Joslin Campus

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
👥
334 Students
💰
$25,599 Per Student
C+ Average

Graham R Training Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$25,599 Per Student
C+ Average

YCCS-Youth Connection Leadership

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
132 Students
👨‍🏫
26.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 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
D
VanderCook College of Music
340 students · 0.6 mi
C
Illinois College of Optometry
483 students · 0.7 mi
B
Illinois Institute of Technology
8,563 students · 0.9 mi
D
Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago
145 students · 1.8 mi
D
East-West University
528 students · 1.8 mi
D
Spertus College
97 students · 2.0 mi
C
Columbia College Chicago
6,529 students · 2.0 mi
C
Roosevelt University
4,015 students · 2.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Chicago, IL?

Expect rents around $1,858/mo per month in Chicago, IL. With home values at $347K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Chicago, IL?

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

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Chicago, IL?

Vacancy in Chicago, IL is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,858/mo.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Chicago, IL?

Chicago, IL offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,858/mo rent level.

What strategy should investors use in Chicago, IL?

Chicago, IL investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($347K prices, $1,858/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 60616 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 60616 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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