Real Estate Investing in Lincoln, Nebraska (68508)

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

Lancaster County • Population: 17,444 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 68508 (Lincoln, NE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Lower household income: $34,520 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Lincoln, NE (68508)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $217,924
Avg Monthly Rent $798
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $34,520
% Renters 91.4%

Market Analysis: 68508 Lincoln

ZIP 68508 in Lincoln, NE carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $218K and rents of $798/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 68508 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within NE, ZIP 68508 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Lancaster County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

A healthy renter share of 91% in 68508 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 68508 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 Lincoln:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $798/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Lincoln, NE Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
31 days
Average time to sell
Average
12.0%
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 Lincoln, NE metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 68508

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$56,385/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $156,421 $820 3.8% +3.4% $156,421
2BR $177,511 $1,020 4.1% +4.9% $88,755
3BR $221,857 $1,420 4.6% +6.6% $73,952
4BR $225,541 $1,520 4.9% +5.1% $56,385

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$237K$205K$173K$141K$109K$77KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$969$884$800$715$630$545Dec 2020Oct 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 68508 Compare?

Metric 68508 Lincoln Lincoln, NE Nebraska
Home Value $217,924 $275,140 N/A $269,423
5-Year CAGR 4.1% 5.0% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $798 $1,312 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 68508? Click to expand

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

91% 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 68508 (Lincoln, NE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Lancaster County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Kabredlo's Property offers apartment homes for rent in Nebraska and Iowa. summary from their website

Small multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Four Corners Property Management, LLC welcomes you home. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.1%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Lincoln, NE metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
45%
Days Pending
0/2
31 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $217,924
Monthly Rent $798
Price-to-Rent 22.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (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.

Vacancy
8.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 68508

Population: 17,444

💰 Median Household Income
$34,520
This area
$34,520
State
$70,851
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
91.4%
This area
91.4%
State
22.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
-5.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.3%
This area
33.3%
State
15.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
21.3 years
This area
21.3 years
State
33.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.5%
This area
8.5%
State
15.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.8%
Other/Mixed 10.0%
Asian 6.9%
Hispanic/Latino 5.4%
Black/African American 4.3%
👶 Under 18
7.1%
This area
7.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
3.7%
This area
3.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.1%
This area
14.1%
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 68508

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,943 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
784 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,943 Per Student
A Very Good

MCPHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
275 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,943 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1520 N 29TH ST, LINCOLN
👥
419 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,943 Per Student
A Very Good

EVERETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1123 C ST, LINCOLN
👥
413 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,943 Per Student
A Very Good

HARTLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 730 N 33RD ST, LINCOLN
👥
333 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,943 Per Student
A Very Good

PRESCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1930 S 20TH ST, LINCOLN
👥
506 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,943 Per Student
A Very Good

SARATOGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2215 S 13TH ST, LINCOLN
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,943 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

8 Nearby 3,458 Off-Campus Students
B
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
23,986 students · 0.3 mi
C+
College of Hair Design-Downtown
72 students · 0.5 mi
D
University of Nebraska-Central Administration System Office
0 students · 2.2 mi
C
Bryan College of Health Sciences
746 students · 3.2 mi
C
Nebraska Wesleyan University
1,690 students · 3.4 mi
C
Southeast Community College Area
9,799 students · 4.1 mi
C
Union Adventist University
635 students · 4.2 mi
C
Joseph's College Cosmetology
98 students · 4.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,458 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rentals sit vacant long in Lincoln, NE?

Expect elevated vacancy in Lincoln, NE. Rents at $798/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is Lincoln, NE better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

For Lincoln, NE, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

How strong is tenant demand in Lincoln, NE?

Lincoln, NE draws a even-keeled base of working renters. Demand at the $798/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How landlord-friendly is Lincoln, NE?

The landlord environment in Lincoln, NE is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Where do home prices stand in Lincoln, NE?

Lincoln, NE home values average about $218K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $798/mo in monthly income.

You know 68508 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 68508 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 68508 ranks in Lincoln, NE

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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