Real Estate Investing in Meriden, Kansas (66512)

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

Jefferson County • Population: 3,476 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 66512 (Meriden, KS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (77/100)

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
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.3 — 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 Meriden, KS (66512)?

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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 $317,267
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,500
% Renters 17.3%

Market Analysis: 66512 Meriden

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Meriden's 66512 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $317K pricing implies.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 66512 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Statewide comparisons place 66512 among KS's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 66512 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Meriden averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

looks 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 Meriden:

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 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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 66512

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$90,816/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $225,482 $970 3.1% +7.6% $112,741
3BR $287,158 $1,280 3.2% +8.3% $95,719
4BR $363,262 $1,290 2.6% +7.6% $90,816

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$333K$287K$242K$196K$151K$105KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 66512 Compare?

Metric 66512 Meriden Topeka, KS Kansas
Home Value $317,267 $317,267 N/A $237,409
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% N/A 7.2%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 66512? 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 66512 (Meriden, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
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 $317,267
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 30.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 9.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
2.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 66512

Population: 3,476

💰 Median Household Income
$72,500
This area
$72,500
State
$67,472
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
22.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-2.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
17.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.6 years
This area
40.6 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.0%
Other/Mixed 6.0%
Hispanic/Latino 3.4%
👶 Under 18
25.0%
This area
25.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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 66512

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
26.8:1 Avg Class Size
$15,676 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Jefferson West High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
255 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,676 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Jefferson West Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
326 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,676 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Jefferson West Middle

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
266 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,676 Per Student
C Below Average

Rocket Online Schools (ROCS)

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
868 Students
👨‍🏫
62.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,676 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

1 Nearby 872 Off-Campus Students
B
Washburn University
5,663 students · 14.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 872 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the investability score for Meriden, KS?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Meriden, KS reflects its $317K prices and $873/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within KS.

What type of investing works in Meriden, KS?

In Meriden, KS the robust play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $317K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Meriden, KS?

Tenant quality in Meriden, KS ranks as solid. Landlords generally report stable occupancy at market rents of $873/mo.

Is KS a landlord-friendly state?

KS ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Meriden generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

How much rent can I charge in Meriden, KS?

Average rent in Meriden, KS is approximately $873/mo per month. Against $317K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

You know 66512 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 66512 ranks in Topeka, KS

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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