Real Estate Investing in Lawrence, Kansas (66044)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 66044 (Lawrence, KS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
What’s happening in Lawrence, KS (66044)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 66044 Lawrence
ZIP 66044 inside Douglas County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $284K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The investment case in 66044 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $284K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
The gap between 66044 and stronger Lawrence ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Demographically, 66044 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, 66044 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lawrence:
Property Strategy for 66044
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $172,758 | $960 | 4.0% | +6.5% | $172,758 |
| 2BR | $209,415 | $1,130 | 3.9% | +8.6% | $104,708 |
| 3BR | $266,770 | $1,570 | 4.2% | +8.7% | $88,923 |
| 4BR | $371,550 | $1,890 | 3.7% | +7.2% | $92,888 |
| 5BR | $504,962 | — | — | +8.2% | $100,992 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 66044 Compare?
| Metric | 66044 | Lawrence | Lawrence, KS | Kansas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $283,968 | $268,296 | N/A | $237,409 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.1% | 6.2% | N/A | 7.2% |
| Avg Rent | $1,205 | $1,418 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% | 3.3% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 66044 (Lawrence, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $283,968 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,205 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.1% |
| Cap Rate | 3.3% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +9.0% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -19.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -2.0% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
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.
Demographics in 66044
Population: 29,052
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 66044
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 6,045 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly do rentals get leased in Lawrence, KS?
Occupancy in Lawrence, KS runs measured with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,205/mo lease on reasonable timelines.
What is the typical rental rate in Lawrence, KS?
Lawrence, KS rentals go for roughly $1,205/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $284K acquisition costs.
What is the tenant pool like in Lawrence, KS?
Tenant quality in Lawrence, KS ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $1,205/mo.
Is housing expensive in Lawrence, KS?
Homes in Lawrence, KS typically sell near $284K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.
Is Lawrence in KS worth investing in?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Lawrence, KS ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $284K and rents of $1,205/mo drive the underlying numbers.
You know 66044 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 66044 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.
How 66044 ranks in Lawrence, KS
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