Real Estate Investing in Licking, Missouri (65542)

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

Texas County • Population: 6,921 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 65542 (Licking, MO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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: 17.3% 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 Licking, MO (65542)?

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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 $192,535
Avg Monthly Rent $801
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $42,813
% Renters 24.8%

Market Analysis: 65542 Licking

ZIP 65542 inside Texas County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $193K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Rent of $801/mo on a $193K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 65542 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In practical terms, 65542 offers a low basis, the region around Licking has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 65542 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

tilts toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Licking:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $801/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 65542

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$57,917/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $115,833 $890 5.5% +8.0% $57,917
3BR $183,694 $1,190 4.7% +9.9% $61,231
4BR $264,013 $1,490 4.1% $66,003

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$203K$176K$150K$124K$97K$71KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 65542 Compare?

Metric 65542 Licking Missouri
Home Value $192,535 $192,535 $254,657
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 7.6% 7.0%
Avg Rent $801 $801 -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 65542? 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 →
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 65542 (Licking, MO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $192,535
Monthly Rent $801
Price-to-Rent 20.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.0%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 10.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
17.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 65542

Population: 6,921

💰 Median Household Income
$42,813
This area
$42,813
State
$62,768
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.8%
This area
24.8%
State
23.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-8.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
8.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.8 years
This area
38.8 years
State
20.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
18.8%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.1%
Black/African American 8.5%
Other/Mixed 3.4%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
👶 Under 18
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.8%
This area
11.8%
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 65542

C+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$10,971 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

LICKING ELEM.

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
408 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$10,971 Per Student
B Good

LICKING HIGH

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
401 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$10,971 Per Student
C Below Average

SOUTH CENTRAL CORRECTIONAL CTR

📚 07 – 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

1 Nearby
D
Texas County Technical College
71 students · 14.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Licking, MO?

The median home value in Licking, MO is roughly $193K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MO statewide average.

Is vacancy a concern in Licking, MO?

Rental vacancy in Licking, MO is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What is the typical renter like in Licking, MO?

Tenant quality in Licking, MO ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $801/mo.

Are landlord laws favorable in Licking, MO?

Licking, MO operates under MO law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How does Licking, MO stack up for property investment?

Licking, MO clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $193K and average rents around $801/mo. That combination puts it in the solid tier for investor interest.

You know 65542 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 65542 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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