Real Estate Investing in Cottage Hills, Illinois (62018)

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

Madison County • Population: 3,006 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62018 (Cottage Hills, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (81/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Elevated poverty: 21.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 8.2% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Cottage Hills, IL (62018)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $110,650
Avg Monthly Rent $926
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,148
% Renters 23.5%

Market Analysis: 62018 Cottage Hills

The 62018 ZIP covers a section of Cottage Hills that demands careful diligence. Prices near $111K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Turning to rents, the numbers look inviting — $111K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 62018 is substantial and deserves full respect.

The gap between 62018 and stronger Cottage Hills ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Meanwhile, 3,006 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.

Strategically, 62018 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 Cottage Hills:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $926/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 62018

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
12.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$24,511/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $90,947 $1,160 9.2% +8.8% $45,474
3BR $118,801 $1,490 9.0% +5.9% $39,600
4BR $98,044 $1,730 12.7% +6.1% $24,511

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$117K$103K$89K$75K$61K$47KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 62018 Compare?

Metric 62018 Cottage Hills St. Louis, MO-IL Illinois
Home Value $110,650 $110,650 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 5.0% 5.0% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $926 $926 N/A -
Cap Rate 6.5% 6.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 62018? 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 62018 (Cottage Hills, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.5%
Good
5yr Growth
+5.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $110,650
Monthly Rent $926
Price-to-Rent 10.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.0%
Cap Rate 6.5%
5-Year IRR 11.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.5%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
9.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62018

Population: 3,006

💰 Median Household Income
$44,148
This area
$44,148
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.7 years
This area
40.7 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.7%
This area
9.7%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.2%
Black/African American 6.7%
Other/Mixed 6.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
👶 Under 18
26.9%
This area
26.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.3%
This area
15.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.4%
This area
21.4%
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 62018

C Avg School Grade
1 Schools

Schools in This ZIP Code

C Below Average

L&C Elementary/Region III

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Eastwood Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1030 3rd St, East Alton
👥
403 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,325 Per Student
A Very Good

East Alton Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1000 3rd St, East Alton
👥
181 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,325 Per Student
A Very Good

Bethalto East Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
📍 309 Albers Pl, Bethalto
👥
372 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,743 Per Student
A Very Good

Civic Memorial High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 200 School St, Bethalto
👥
752 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,743 Per Student
A Very Good

Wilbur Trimpe Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 910 2nd St, Bethalto
👥
533 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,743 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

4 Nearby 2,909 Off-Campus Students
C
CALC Institute of Technology
63 students · 5.0 mi
C+
Lewis and Clark Community College
4,196 students · 6.6 mi
C+
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
12,045 students · 9.2 mi
C+
Principia College
338 students · 14.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,909 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Cottage Hills, IL?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Cottage Hills, IL. The numbers - $111K homes against $926/mo rents - support that play.

What do rentals go for in Cottage Hills, IL?

Rent in Cottage Hills, IL is around $926/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $111K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Can I house hack in Cottage Hills, IL?

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

How quickly do rentals get leased in Cottage Hills, IL?

Occupancy in Cottage Hills, IL runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $926/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How much does a house cost in Cottage Hills, IL?

Cottage Hills, IL home values average about $111K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $926/mo in monthly income.

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How 62018 ranks in St. Louis, MO-IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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