Real Estate Investing in Lincoln, Nebraska (68502)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 68502 (Lincoln, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Lincoln, NE (68502)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 68502 Lincoln
ZIP 68502 in Lincoln, NE carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $243K and rents of $915/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $243K asset, 68502 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Within NE, ZIP 68502 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Lancaster County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.
Who lives in 68502 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategically, 68502 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lincoln:
Property Strategy for 68502
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $136,289 | $820 | 4.3% | +9.3% | $136,289 |
| 2BR | $189,387 | $1,020 | 3.9% | +7.5% | $94,693 |
| 3BR | $247,625 | $1,420 | 4.1% | +7.0% | $82,542 |
| 4BR | $294,442 | $1,520 | 3.7% | +6.8% | $73,610 |
| 5BR | $347,590 | — | — | +6.9% | $69,518 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 68502 Compare?
| Metric | 68502 | Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $242,965 | $275,140 | N/A | $269,423 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.4% | 5.0% | N/A | 6.7% |
| Avg Rent | $915 | $1,312 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% | 3.2% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 68502 (Lincoln, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $242,965 |
| Monthly Rent | $915 |
| Price-to-Rent | 22.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.5% |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -5.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.9% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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.
Demographics in 68502
Population: 25,571
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 68502
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (3 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
MCPHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA HIGH SCHOOL
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
Investor Insight: With 3,458 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do rents currently stand in Lincoln, NE?
Expect rents around $915/mo per month in Lincoln, NE. With home values at $243K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
Is the tenant base reliable in Lincoln, NE?
Tenant quality in Lincoln, NE ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $915/mo.
How tight is the rental market in Lincoln, NE?
Vacancy in Lincoln, NE is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $915/mo.
How strict are landlord regulations in Lincoln, NE?
For rental operators, Lincoln, NE rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Is Lincoln in NE worth investing in?
Lincoln, NE rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $243K and rents near $915/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.
You know 68502 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68502 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.
How 68502 ranks in Lincoln, NE
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