Real Estate Investing in Columbia, Missouri (65202)

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

Boone County • Population: 47,543 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 65202 (Columbia, MO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Columbia, MO (65202)?

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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 $282,358
Avg Monthly Rent $1,375
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,384
% Renters 35.9%

Market Analysis: 65202 Columbia

The 65202 ZIP covers a section of Columbia that demands careful diligence. Prices near $282K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $1,375/mo on a $282K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 65202 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

On the rental side, 65202 offers a low basis, the region around Columbia has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 65202 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 65202, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Columbia:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,375/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
Columbia, MO Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.4%
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 Columbia, MO metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 65202

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$74,882/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $129,994 $1,040 5.8% +6.0% $129,994
2BR $168,725 $1,190 5.1% +9.1% $84,363
3BR $258,445 $1,610 4.5% +9.1% $86,148
4BR $320,456 $1,910 4.3% +8.2% $80,114
5BR $374,409 +8.3% $74,882

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$295K$260K$225K$190K$156K$121KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,511$1,319$1,128$936$745$553Jun 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 65202 Compare?

Metric 65202 Columbia Columbia, MO Missouri
Home Value $282,358 $125,480 N/A $254,657
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 5.9% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $1,375 $1,404 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 65202? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 65202 (Columbia, MO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Columbia, MO metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
43%
Days Pending
1/2
45 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $282,358
Monthly Rent $1,375
Price-to-Rent 17.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +23.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +13.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +12.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
7.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 65202

Population: 47,543

💰 Median Household Income
$66,384
This area
$66,384
State
$62,768
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.9%
This area
35.9%
State
23.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-8.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
37.8%
This area
37.8%
State
8.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.1 years
This area
35.1 years
State
20.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
18.8%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.1%
Black/African American 15.0%
Other/Mixed 9.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.4%
Asian 3.2%
👶 Under 18
24.7%
This area
24.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.2%
This area
13.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.4%
This area
9.4%
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 65202

B+ Avg School Grade
14 Schools
10.8:1 Avg Class Size
$15,957 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

CENTER FOR EARLY LRNING-NORTH

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
427 Students
👨‍🏫
7.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
A Very Good

DERBY RIDGE ELEM.

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
360 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
A Very Good

ELIOT BATTLE ELEMENTARY

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
A Very Good

JOHN B. LANGE MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
544 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
A Very Good

OAKLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
550 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
A Very Good

PARKADE ELEM.

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
A Very Good

ALPHA HART LEWIS

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
466 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
A Very Good

BLUE RIDGE ELEM.

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
469 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
B+ Above Average

TWO MILE PRAIRIE ELEM.

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
148 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MIDWAY HEIGHTS ELEM.

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
241 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MURIEL BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,508 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
B Good

JUVENILE JUSTICE CTR.

📚 01 – 12 K-12
👥
16 Students
👨‍🏫
4.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,957 Per Student
C+ Average

DELMAR A COBBLE SCHOOL

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
7 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
C Below Average

CORNERSTONE

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
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

5 Nearby 403 Off-Campus Students
C
Columbia College
6,046 students · 4.4 mi
C
Stephens College
532 students · 4.6 mi
B
University of Missouri-Columbia
31,013 students · 5.2 mi
D
University of Missouri-System Office
0 students · 5.2 mi
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Missouri Columbia
149 students · 5.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in Columbia, MO?

The best-fit strategy in Columbia, MO is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Is Columbia, MO a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Columbia, MO rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $282K and rents near $1,375/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How deep is the rental pool in Columbia, MO?

Columbia, MO draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,375/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Does house hacking work in Columbia, MO?

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

Where do home prices stand in Columbia, MO?

Typical homes in Columbia, MO go for around $282K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

You know 65202 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 65202 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 65202 ranks in Columbia, MO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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