Real Estate Investing in Topeka, Kansas (66611)

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

Shawnee County • Population: 9,912 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 66611 (Topeka, KS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (78/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Topeka, KS (66611)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $164,452
Avg Monthly Rent $1,242
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,741
% Renters 54.9%

Market Analysis: 66611 Topeka

This part of Shawnee County is not an easy win. The 66611 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 66611 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in Topeka have seen price recovery that 66611 has not matched. Shawnee County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A resilient renter share of 55% in 66611 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 66611 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.

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 Topeka:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,242/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 66611

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$52,625/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $109,414 $1,040 6.8% +10.6% $54,707
3BR $157,875 $1,370 6.2% +8.7% $52,625
4BR $260,246 $1,390 3.8% +7.9% $65,062

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$171K$151K$132K$112K$92K$72KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,258$1,216$1,174$1,133$1,091$1,049Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 66611 Compare?

Metric 66611 Topeka Topeka, KS Kansas
Home Value $164,452 $119,504 N/A $237,409
5-Year CAGR 7.8% 8.1% N/A 7.2%
Avg Rent $1,242 $1,193 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.9% 5.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 66611? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

55% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 66611 (Topeka, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Shawnee County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

WCW Property Management specializes in single and multi-family dwellings and HOAs in Northeast Kansas, Wichita, and Kansas City, KS and MO, offering services for tenants, owners, and investors. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamilyHOA
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PURE Property Management of Kansas offers property management services. summary from their website

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Rental Management Solutions provides property management services in Northeast Kansas, including rental search, tenant portal, and owner FAQs. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.8%
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 $164,452
Monthly Rent $1,242
Price-to-Rent 11.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.1%
Cap Rate 5.9%
5-Year IRR 13.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +16.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.9%). 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
9.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 66611

Population: 9,912

💰 Median Household Income
$51,741
This area
$51,741
State
$67,472
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
54.9%
This area
54.9%
State
22.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-2.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
32.6%
This area
32.6%
State
17.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.1 years
This area
36.1 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 73.8%
Other/Mixed 14.6%
Black/African American 10.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.8%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
25.4%
This area
25.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.9%
This area
7.9%
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 66611

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$17,260 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Jardine Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
714 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,260 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Jardine Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
512 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,260 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Robinson Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1125 SW 14th St, Topeka
👥
348 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,260 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1301 SE Monroe St, Topeka
👥
434 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,260 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lowman Hill Elem

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1101 SW Garfield Ave, Topeka
👥
287 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,260 Per Student
A+ Excellent

McCarter Elem

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 5512 SW 16th St, Topeka
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,260 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Randolph Elem

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1400 SW Randolph Ave, Topeka
👥
350 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,260 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

4 Nearby 1,242 Off-Campus Students
C
Midwest Barber College
32 students · 1.1 mi
C
Rasmussen University-Kansas
333 students · 1.2 mi
B
Washburn University
5,663 students · 1.3 mi
C+
Washburn Institute of Technology
1,187 students · 3.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,242 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Topeka, KS a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Topeka, KS rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $164K and rents near $1,242/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What do rentals go for in Topeka, KS?

Topeka, KS rentals go for roughly $1,242/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $164K acquisition costs.

Which investment style suits Topeka, KS?

In Topeka, KS the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $164K prices and $1,242/mo rents suits that approach.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Topeka, KS?

Topeka, KS draws a steady base of working renters. Demand at the $1,242/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Are there empty rentals in Topeka, KS?

Topeka, KS carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $1,242/mo.

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How 66611 ranks in Topeka, KS

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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