Real Estate Investing in De Soto, Kansas (66018)

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

Johnson County • Population: 6,537 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 66018 (De Soto, KS)? 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 De Soto, KS (66018)?

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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 $427,285
Avg Monthly Rent $1,563
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $102,778
% Renters 32.1%

Market Analysis: 66018 De Soto

This part of Johnson County is not an easy win. The 66018 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 66018 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $427K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in De Soto have seen price recovery that 66018 has not matched. Johnson County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 66018 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 66018 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 De Soto:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,563/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
Kansas City, MO-KS Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
30 days
Average time to sell
Fast
12.7%
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 Kansas City, MO-KS metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 66018

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$111,720/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $227,852 $1,190 3.8% +9.2% $113,926
3BR $335,160 $1,550 3.3% +7.6% $111,720
4BR $506,693 $1,840 2.6% +7.1% $126,673
5BR $649,640 +8.0% $129,928

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$449K$388K$328K$268K$207K$147KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,592$1,507$1,421$1,336$1,251$1,166Feb 2026Apr 2026Jun 2026

📊 How Does 66018 Compare?

Metric 66018 De Soto Kansas City, MO-KS Kansas
Home Value $427,285 $427,285 N/A $237,409
5-Year CAGR 5.8% 5.8% N/A 7.2%
Avg Rent $1,563 $1,563 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 66018? 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 66018 (De Soto, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $427,285
Monthly Rent $1,563
Price-to-Rent 22.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 8.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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.

Vacancy
1.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 66018

Population: 6,537

💰 Median Household Income
$102,778
This area
$102,778
State
$67,472
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.1%
This area
32.1%
State
22.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
State
-2.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
37.6%
This area
37.6%
State
17.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.4 years
This area
37.4 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.0%
Other/Mixed 4.7%
Hispanic/Latino 3.6%
Black/African American 3.4%
Asian 2.0%
👶 Under 18
31.2%
This area
31.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.1%
This area
10.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
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 66018

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$12,860 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Starside Elem

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
439 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,860 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lexington Trails Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
385 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$12,860 Per Student
B+ Above Average

De Soto High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
968 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,860 Per Student
C Below Average

Virtual Education Program

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
36 Students
💰
$12,860 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

5 Nearby 11,831 Off-Campus Students
C
MidAmerica Nazarene University
1,539 students · 12.0 mi
C
Johnson County Community College
17,121 students · 13.4 mi
C+
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Lawrence
36 students · 14.1 mi
C+
Haskell Indian Nations University
878 students · 14.1 mi
B
University of Kansas
28,406 students · 14.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 11,831 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there empty rentals in De Soto, KS?

Vacancy in De Soto, KS is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,563/mo.

What is the renter demographic in De Soto, KS?

De Soto, KS offers a predictable renter base at the $1,563/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What strategy should investors use in De Soto, KS?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy De Soto, KS best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $427K price point.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in De Soto, KS?

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

How much should I expect to pay for a home in De Soto, KS?

Expect median prices around $427K in De Soto, KS. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been stable.

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How 66018 ranks in Kansas City, MO-KS

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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