Real Estate Investing in Brighton, Illinois (62012)

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

Macoupin County • Population: 6,496 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62012 (Brighton, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Brighton, IL (62012)?

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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 $223,942
Avg Monthly Rent $1,017
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,250
% Renters 9.1%

Market Analysis: 62012 Brighton

ZIP 62012 in Brighton, IL carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $224K and rents of $1,017/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 62012 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader IL picture, 62012 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 62012 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategically, 62012 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Brighton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,017/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
St. Louis, MO-IL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
30 days
Average time to sell
Fast
11.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from St. Louis, MO-IL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 62012

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$66,260/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $138,182 $1,130 5.9% +5.7% $69,091
3BR $198,781 $1,440 5.2% +6.8% $66,260
4BR $290,098 $1,730 4.3% +6.8% $72,524

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$233K$209K$184K$160K$136K$111KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62012 Compare?

Metric 62012 Brighton St. Louis, MO-IL Illinois
Home Value $223,942 $223,942 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 5.6% 5.6% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,017 $1,017 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 62012? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 62012 (Brighton, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $223,942
Monthly Rent $1,017
Price-to-Rent 18.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 9.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
18.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62012

Population: 6,496

💰 Median Household Income
$86,250
This area
$86,250
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.2 years
This area
41.2 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.2%
Other/Mixed 3.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
23.2%
This area
23.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
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 62012

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
16.0:1 Avg Class Size
$15,185 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Brighton North Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
287 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,185 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

3 Nearby 717 Off-Campus Students
C+
Lewis and Clark Community College
4,196 students · 6.7 mi
C
CALC Institute of Technology
63 students · 8.0 mi
C+
Principia College
338 students · 12.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 717 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Brighton, IL stack up for property investment?

Brighton, IL reflects an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $224K and average rents around $1,017/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

How should investors approach Brighton, IL?

In Brighton, IL the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $224K prices and $1,017/mo rents suits that approach.

How strong are rents in Brighton, IL?

Investors in Brighton, IL typically see rents near $1,017/mo per month against $224K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Brighton, IL?

Vacancy risk in Brighton, IL is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

Can I house hack in Brighton, IL?

Brighton, IL is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $224K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 62012 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62012 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.

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How 62012 ranks in St. Louis, MO-IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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