Real Estate Investing in Urbana, Illinois (61801)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 61801 (Urbana, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 16.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Lower household income: $35,266 median — tenant affordability is tighter.
What’s happening in Urbana, IL (61801)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 61801 Urbana
This part of Champaign County is not an easy win. The 61801 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 61801 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
Within IL, ZIP 61801 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Champaign County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.
Resident income in 61801 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategy in 61801 is an operator game, not a passive one. In practical terms, entry prices of $195K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Urbana:
Property Strategy for 61801
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $132,861 | $1,090 | 5.9% | +8.2% | $66,430 |
| 3BR | $202,589 | $1,400 | 5.0% | +7.9% | $67,530 |
| 4BR | $265,234 | $1,440 | 3.9% | +7.6% | $66,309 |
| 5BR | $307,901 | — | — | +6.5% | $61,580 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 61801 Compare?
| Metric | 61801 | Urbana | Champaign-Urbana, IL | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $195,072 | $210,590 | N/A | $279,761 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.5% | 6.9% | N/A | 6.6% |
| Avg Rent | $1,226 | $1,269 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 61801 (Urbana, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 61801 (Urbana, IL)?
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Property managers serving Champaign County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Community Property Management offers quality and affordable apartments in Champaign-Urbana, including renovated units and various communities like 217 Neil and Hessel on the Park. summary from their website
Zindars Property Management offers property management services in Champaign & Urbana. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $195,072 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,226 |
| Price-to-Rent | 13.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 7.5% |
| Cap Rate | 4.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +10.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -7.5% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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.
Demographics in 61801
Population: 27,755
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 61801
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Franklin Middle School
Bottenfield Elem School
Edison Middle School
Stratton Elementary School
Washington Elem School
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
Investor Insight: With 3,857 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average monthly rent in Urbana, IL?
Rental rates in Urbana, IL average $1,226/mo. Tenant demand and $195K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
Where do home prices stand in Urbana, IL?
In Urbana, IL the median home value sits at $195K. Against the broader IL market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Is Urbana, IL a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Urbana, IL reflects its $195K prices and $1,226/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within IL.
What is the typical vacancy rate in Urbana, IL?
Urbana, IL carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect predictable absorption at market rents of $1,226/mo.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Urbana, IL?
For house hackers, Urbana, IL is a challenging. The $1,226/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $195K property.
You know 61801 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 61801 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.
How 61801 ranks in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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