Schuyler is home to the best residential real estate investment market in Nebraska.
The 68661 zip code in Schuyler presents the greatest opportunity for the best real estate investments among the 340 individual real estate markets in Nebraska we evaluated. We looked at property values, population trends, and six other metrics for each market. We used that data to calculate each market's InvestScore.
5 best places to invest in Nebraska
| Rank | City | InvestScore | Affordability | Property value appreciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schuyler | 100 | 2.6 | 56.72% |
| 2 | Cozad | 98.7 | 2.7 | 52.13% |
| 3 | Sidney | 98.6 | 2.7 | 60.27% |
| 4 | Bellevue | 97.8 | 3.0 | 60.25% |
| 5 | Nebraska City | 93.7 | 2.7 | 53.32% |
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1. Schuyler
We've identified the 68661 zip code in Schuyler as Nebraska's best real estate investment market. Here's why.
🔎 Key data about Schuyler
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 340 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 68661 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 100 | Highest |
| Typical property value | $190,202[1] | 21st lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 56.72%[2] | 12th highest |
| Household income | $72,088[3] | 37th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.6 | 2nd most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | -2.7%[4] | 68th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2%[5] | 19th lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,455[6] | 3rd lowest |
| Educational attainment | 9.3%[7] | 84th highest |
Schuyler (zip code 68661) is the best residential real estate investment market in Nebraska. It has the 12th highest property value appreciation among markets we evaluated, with a 56.72% appreciation of the typical property over the last five years.
Schuyler is the 2nd most affordable market among the 340 Nebraska markets we evaluated, with an affordability ratio of 2.6.
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2. Cozad
The 69130 zip code in Cozad is the runner-up spot for the best real estate investments in Nebraska.
🔎 Key data about Cozad
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 340 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 69130 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 98.7 | 2nd highest |
| Typical property value | $157,525[8] | 4th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 52.13%[9] | 22nd highest |
| Household income | $57,859[10] | 71st highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.7 | 6th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | -2.3%[11] | 66th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 0.9%[12] | 3rd lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,881[13] | 6th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 14.6%[14] | 78th highest |
The 69130 zip code in Cozad features a typical property value of $157,525, the 4th lowest in the state.
Property values have appreciated 52.13% over the past five years, the 22nd highest increase among evaluated markets in the state. Cozad homes have an affordability ratio of 2.7, the 6th most affordable in the state.
3. Sidney
The 69162 zip code in Sidney comes in at No. 3 in our ranking of the best residential real estate investment markets in Nebraska.
🔎 Key data about Sidney
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 340 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 69162 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 98.6 | 3rd highest |
| Typical property value | $143,989[15] | 3rd lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 60.27%[16] | 5th highest |
| Household income | $52,672[17] | 76th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.7 | 7th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | -3.9%[18] | 74th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%[19] | 16th lowest |
| Property taxes | $2,362[20] | 19th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 22.1%[21] | 70th highest |
With a typical property value of $143,989, Sidney's 69162 zip code features the 3rd lowest property values in the state.
Sidney homes have an affordability ratio of 2.7, the 7th most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
4. Bellevue
The 68147 zip code in Bellevue ranks No. 4 among Nebraska's residential real estate investment markets.
🔎 Key data about Bellevue
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 340 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 68147 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 97.8 | 4th highest |
| Typical property value | $237,395[22] | 38th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 60.25%[23] | 6th highest |
| Household income | $80,340[24] | 6th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.0 | 16th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 11.9%[25] | 12th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2.1%[26] | 23rd lowest |
| Property taxes | $3,036[27] | 39th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 18.1%[28] | 75th highest |
Property values in Bellevue's 68147 zip code have seen the 6th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state, with an appreciation of 60.25% over the past five years.
Bellevue's affordability ratio of 3.0 makes it the 16th most affordable among the 340 markets we evaluated.
5. Nebraska City
The 68410 zip code in Nebraska City rounds out our top five residential real estate investment markets in Nebraska.
🔎 Key data about Nebraska City
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 340 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 68410 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 93.7 | 5th highest |
| Typical property value | $177,782[29] | 13th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 53.32%[30] | 19th highest |
| Household income | $66,730[31] | 19th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.7 | 3rd most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 0.1%[32] | 55th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7%[33] | 43rd lowest |
| Property taxes | $2,628[34] | 29th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 26.1%[35] | 60th highest |
Property values in Nebraska City's 68410 zip code rose 53.32% over the last five years, ranking the city 19th highest among evaluated markets in Nebraska.
Nebraska City homes have an affordability ratio of 2.7, the 3rd most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
Investing in residential real estate can be one of the best passive real estate investments in Nebraska.
Residential real estate offers accessible passive income and the potential to compound your original investment.
Renting out residential units is the top way to invest in real estate. House hacking also offers a great opportunity for passive real estate investment income.
How we rank residential real estate markets in Nebraska
To determine the best real estate investments in Nebraska we evaluated 340 markets on eight metrics, and then assigned an InvestScore based on their weighted and combined rankings. Each market corresponds to a specific zip code in Nebraska.
What is InvestScore?
InvestScore is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the residential real estate investment potential of a given market. It takes into account a suite of key data points for each city.
- Typical property value: This measures the typical home value in this zip code, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. It reflects the typical value for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range, including all homes, with the numbers smoothed and seasonally adjusted. We prefer lower property values, which indicate both more room for growth and a greater ease of purchase. We assign a weight of 20% to typical property values.
- Property value appreciation: This measures how much property values have increased in the area over the past five years, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. We prefer a higher appreciation, as it indicates better returns on housing. However, past performance isn't indicative of future results. We assign a weight of 20% to property value appreciation.
- Median household income: This is the inflation-adjusted median household income in the zip code, according to U.S. Census American Community Survey data. We prefer a higher household income, as it indicates local residents have more income to spend on housing. We assign a weight of 10% to median household income.
- Affordability ratio: This is the ratio of the typical home value to the median household income in the area. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home, which indicates higher demand. We assign a weight of 15% to the affordability ratio.
- Population growth: This is how much the area's population has grown over the past five years, according to U.S. Census estimates. Higher is better, as it indicates residents are moving into the area at a rapid clip. We assign a weight of 10% to population growth.
- Unemployment rate: This is the unemployment rate in the area, according to U.S. Census data. We prefer a lower rate, as it indicates the availability of steady employment in the area, meaning residents will find it much easier to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to unemployment rate.
- Property tax: This is the median real estate property tax paid in the area, according to U.S. Census estimates. We assign a weight of 10% to property tax.
- Educational attainment: This is the percentage of residents in the area that have obtained a bachelor's degree or better, according to U.S. Census estimates. We prefer a higher rate because it indicates local residents who have higher earning potential and thus should be able to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to educational attainment.
🚨 Disclaimer: The information contained in this article isn't intended as, and shall not be understood or constituted as, financial advice. The information in this article isn't a substitute for financial advice from an investment professional or real estate agent who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your financial situation or the specifics of any individual property.
