Real Estate Investing in Valley Falls, Kansas (66088)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 2,723 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 66088 (Valley Falls, KS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Valley Falls, KS (66088)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $266,227
Avg Monthly Rent $801
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,045
% Renters 28.4%

Market Analysis: 66088 Valley Falls

From an investor standpoint, ZIP 66088 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $266K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 66088 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

ZIP 66088's metrics run below Jefferson County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 66088 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

trends 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 Valley Falls:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.5%)
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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Topeka, KS Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
35 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.3%
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 Topeka, KS metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 66088

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$72,947/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $174,269 $890 3.7% +7.8% $87,134
3BR $237,052 $1,160 3.5% +7.7% $79,017
4BR $291,789 $1,250 3.1% +8.5% $72,947

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$280K$240K$200K$159K$119K$79KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 66088 Compare?

Metric 66088 Valley Falls Topeka, KS Kansas
Home Value $266,227 $266,227 N/A $237,409
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 7.0% N/A 7.2%
Avg Rent $801 $801 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 66088? 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 66088 (Valley Falls, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 66088 (Valley Falls, KS)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Topeka, KS metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
40%
Days Pending
0/2
35 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $266,227
Monthly Rent $801
Price-to-Rent 27.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 9.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
9.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 66088

Population: 2,723

💰 Median Household Income
$70,045
This area
$70,045
State
$67,472
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.4%
This area
28.4%
State
22.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-2.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
17.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.2 years
This area
44.2 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.9%
Other/Mixed 3.3%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
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 66088

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$16,832 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Valley Falls Elem

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
263 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,832 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Valley Falls High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
128 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,832 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Valley Falls, KS?

Most investors in Valley Falls, KS run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What is the tenant pool like in Valley Falls, KS?

The tenant pool in Valley Falls, KS is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $801/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Does Valley Falls, KS favor landlords or tenants?

Valley Falls, KS operates under KS law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Is Valley Falls, KS a good market for FHA house hackers?

Valley Falls, KS is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $266K price point reasonable to enter.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Valley Falls, KS?

Occupancy in Valley Falls, KS runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $801/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

You know 66088 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 66088 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.

Compare Plans

How 66088 ranks in Topeka, KS

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 66088 (Valley Falls)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 66088 (Valley Falls, KS).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.