Real Estate Investing in Winchester, Kansas (66097)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 939 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 66097 (Winchester, KS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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: 12.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Winchester, KS (66097)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $269,178
Avg Monthly Rent $927
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,510
% Renters 12.2%

Market Analysis: 66097 Winchester

Looking more closely, ZIP 66097 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $269K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 66097 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $269K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 66097'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.

Demographically, 66097 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.

seems to 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 Winchester:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $927/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 66097

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$88,793/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $184,955 $1,030 4.0% +9.0% $92,477
3BR $266,380 $1,350 3.6% +9.1% $88,793

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$285K$243K$201K$159K$117K$75KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 66097 Compare?

Metric 66097 Winchester Topeka, KS Kansas
Home Value $269,178 $269,178 N/A $237,409
5-Year CAGR 8.2% 8.2% N/A 7.2%
Avg Rent $927 $927 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 66097? 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 66097 (Winchester, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.2%
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 $269,178
Monthly Rent $927
Price-to-Rent 24.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 10.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +9.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
12.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 66097

Population: 939

💰 Median Household Income
$58,510
This area
$58,510
State
$67,472
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.2%
This area
12.2%
State
22.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-2.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.4%
This area
23.4%
State
17.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.4 years
This area
50.4 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.1%
This area
12.1%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.2%
Other/Mixed 0.8%
👶 Under 18
18.0%
This area
18.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.8%
This area
28.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
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 66097

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
10.0:1 Avg Class Size
$16,856 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Jefferson Co North High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
135 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,856 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

How much do tenants pay in Winchester, KS?

Rent in Winchester, KS is around $927/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $269K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Winchester, KS?

KS law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Winchester inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What is the smart move for investors in Winchester, KS?

Most investors in Winchester, 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.

Does house hacking make sense in Winchester, KS?

House hacking works a challenging in Winchester, KS. Rents of $927/mo against $269K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Is vacancy a concern in Winchester, KS?

Expect elevated vacancy in Winchester, KS. Rents at $927/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

You know 66097 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 66097 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 66097 ranks in Topeka, KS

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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