Real Estate Investing in Columbus, Kansas (66725)

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

Cherokee County • Population: 5,102 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 66725 (Columbus, KS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 13.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Columbus, KS (66725)?

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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 $135,170
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,726
% Renters 31.6%

Market Analysis: 66725 Columbus

This part of Cherokee County is not an easy win. The 66725 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The 66725 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Regionally, 66725 sits on the difficult end of the KS spectrum. The a strong candidate for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The demographic picture in 66725 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Columbus averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 66725 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Columbus:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 66725

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
8.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$39,221/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $78,441 $880 8.1% +6.7% $39,221
3BR $158,255 $1,160 5.3% +8.3% $52,752
4BR $208,321 $1,160 4.0% +9.0% $52,080

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$144K$126K$108K$89K$71K$53KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 66725 Compare?

Metric 66725 Columbus Kansas
Home Value $135,170 $135,170 $237,409
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% 7.2%
Avg Rent $792 $792 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 66725? 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 66725 (Columbus, KS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $135,170
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 14.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 11.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
13.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 66725

Population: 5,102

💰 Median Household Income
$51,726
This area
$51,726
State
$67,472
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.6%
This area
31.6%
State
22.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-2.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.7%
This area
26.7%
State
17.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.1 years
This area
43.1 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.3%
This area
13.3%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.1%
Other/Mixed 9.1%
Black/African American 2.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
21.7%
This area
21.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.7%
This area
20.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
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 66725

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$18,040 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Columbus Junior High and High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
430 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,040 Per Student
A Very Good

Central Elem

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
208 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,040 Per Student
A Very Good

Highland Elem

📚 02 – 03 Elementary
👥
136 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,040 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Park Elem

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
216 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,040 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 investability score for Columbus, KS?

Columbus, KS rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $135K and rents near $792/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Which real estate strategy fits Columbus, KS?

In Columbus, KS the robust play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $135K prices and $792/mo rents suits that approach.

How strong are rents in Columbus, KS?

Columbus, KS rentals go for roughly $792/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $135K acquisition costs.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Columbus, KS?

Vacancy risk in Columbus, KS is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

What does house hacking look like in Columbus, KS?

Columbus, KS offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $792/mo rent level.

You know 66725 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 66725 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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