Real Estate Investing in Chicago, Illinois (60644)

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

Cook County • Population: 48,317 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 60644 (Chicago, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

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
5 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.9% CAGR).
  • Elevated poverty: 28.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 10.8% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Chicago, IL (60644)?

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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 $220,666
Avg Monthly Rent $1,523
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $34,177
% Renters 71.7%

Market Analysis: 60644 Chicago

Investors eyeing 60644 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $221K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 60644 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 60644's metrics run below Cook County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 60644 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 60644 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: 51/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,523/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 60644

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$59,243/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $144,302 $1,450 7.2% +4.2% $72,151
3BR $201,101 $1,870 6.7% +2.6% $67,034
4BR $251,609 $2,160 6.2% +2.9% $62,902
5BR $296,214 +4.4% $59,243

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$236K$197K$159K$121K$83K$45KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,573$1,432$1,291$1,150$1,009$867Jul 2020Jul 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60644 Compare?

Metric 60644 Chicago Illinois
Home Value $220,666 $345,093 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 0.9% 2.6% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,523 $2,056 -
Cap Rate 5.4% 5.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 60644? Click to expand

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

72% 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 60644 (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
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+0.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $220,666
Monthly Rent $1,523
Price-to-Rent 12.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.3%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 6.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +22.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +10.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.6% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.4%). 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
9.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60644

Population: 48,317

💰 Median Household Income
$34,177
This area
$34,177
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
71.7%
This area
71.7%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
10.8%
This area
10.8%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.4%
This area
10.4%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.6 years
This area
35.6 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.5%
This area
9.5%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 82.2%
Other/Mixed 11.1%
Hispanic/Latino 9.1%
White 5.8%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
26.7%
This area
26.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.4%
This area
13.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
28.1%
This area
28.1%
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 60644

A Avg School Grade
15 Schools
15.2:1 Avg Class Size
$25,599 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Clark Acad Prep Magnet High Schl

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
411 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Howe Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
354 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Leland Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
298 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Depriest Elem School

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

Ellington Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
501 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Spencer Technology Acad Elem Sch

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
389 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Clark G R Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
144 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Austin College and Career Acad HS

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
217 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Moving Everest Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
768 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Nash Elem School

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

Catalyst Charter-Circle Rock ES

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
500 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
A Very Good

Douglass Academy High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
37 Students
👨‍🏫
4.4:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
B+ Above Average

KIPP Academy Chicago Campus

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
660 Students
👨‍🏫
21.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
B Good

YCCS-Scholastic Achievement HS

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
114 Students
👨‍🏫
22.8:1 Class Size
💰
$25,599 Per Student
C+ Average

Plato Learning Acad Elem School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
178 Students
👨‍🏫
44.5:1 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 2,399 Off-Campus Students
C+
Bell Mar Beauty College
45 students · 2.1 mi
C
Concordia University-Chicago
5,066 students · 3.0 mi
C
Dominican University
3,424 students · 3.7 mi
C
Morton College
3,653 students · 3.9 mi
C
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park
1,345 students · 4.2 mi
C
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College
8,011 students · 4.2 mi
C
Rush University
2,782 students · 4.6 mi
C
University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology
62 students · 4.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,399 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of investing works in Chicago, IL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Chicago, IL best. The market produces steady results for that approach at the $221K price point.

How landlord-friendly is Chicago, IL?

The landlord environment in Chicago, IL is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Should investors consider Chicago, IL?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Chicago, IL reflects its $221K prices and $1,523/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within IL.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Chicago, IL?

House hacking in Chicago, IL is a challenging. With home values around $221K and rents at $1,523/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

How high is vacancy risk in Chicago, IL?

Vacancy risk in Chicago, IL is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

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How 60644 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

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