Baxter Springs is home to the best residential real estate investment market in Kansas.
The 66713 zip code in Baxter Springs presents the greatest opportunity for the best real estate investments among the 536 individual real estate markets in Kansas 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 Kansas
| Rank | City | InvestScore | Affordability | Property value appreciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baxter Springs | 100 | 1.7 | 52.93% |
| 2 | Columbus | 98.1 | 2.2 | 70.20% |
| 3 | Wichita | 97 | 2.4 | 96.45% |
| 4 | Topeka | 92.9 | 2.5 | 64.24% |
| 5 | Galena | 92.7 | 2.3 | 61.36% |
The first step is to find a top local realtor with experience helping real estate investors find great deals.
Clever can match you with an experienced local agent who specializes in investment properties. They'll help you find a property that fits your goals and budget, then craft a winning offer so you can stop looking at houses and start building wealth.
Requesting an agent is free, and there's no obligation to move forward until you find your perfect match.
1. Baxter Springs
We've identified the 66713 zip code in Baxter Springs as Kansas's best real estate investment market. Here's why.
🔎 Key data about Baxter Springs
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 536 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 66713 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 100 | Highest |
| Typical property value | $99,083[1] | 11th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 52.93%[2] | 51st highest |
| Household income | $59,179[3] | 89th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 1.7 | 5th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 2.0%[4] | 55th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5%[5] | 29th lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,289[6] | 10th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 17.7%[7] | 119th highest |
Baxter Springs (zip code 66713) is the best residential real estate investment market in Kansas. It has the 51st highest property value appreciation among markets we evaluated, with a 52.93% appreciation of the typical property over the last five years.
Baxter Springs is the 5th most affordable market among the 536 Kansas markets we evaluated, with an affordability ratio of 1.7.
Buy your investment property with a top local realtor who specializes in helping real estate investors find great deals. Clever can connect you with investing pros at trusted brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX.
Enter your zip code to get personalized agent matches sent straight to your inbox. Compare your options until you find the perfect fit, or walk away with no obligation. Try Clever's free service today!
2. Columbus
The 66725 zip code in Columbus is the runner-up spot for the best real estate investments in Kansas.
🔎 Key data about Columbus
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 536 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 66725 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 98.1 | 2nd highest |
| Typical property value | $115,034[8] | 21st lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 70.20%[9] | 10th highest |
| Household income | $51,726[10] | 115th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.2 | 19th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | -5.8%[11] | 118th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2%[12] | 16th lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,264[13] | 9th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 26.7%[14] | 87th highest |
The 66725 zip code in Columbus features a typical property value of $115,034, the 21st lowest in the state.
Property values have appreciated 70.20% over the past five years, the 10th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state. Columbus homes have an affordability ratio of 2.2, the 19th most affordable in the state.
3. Wichita
The 67214 zip code in Wichita comes in at No. 3 in our ranking of the best residential real estate investment markets in Kansas.
🔎 Key data about Wichita
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 536 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 67214 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 97 | 3rd highest |
| Typical property value | $78,754[15] | 4th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 96.45%[16] | 4th highest |
| Household income | $32,821[17] | 133rd highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.4 | 25th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 10.8%[18] | 17th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 10.3%[19] | 134th lowest |
| Property taxes | $709[20] | lowest |
| Educational attainment | 12.3%[21] | 128th highest |
With a typical property value of $78,754, Wichita's 67214 zip code features the 4th lowest property values in the state.
Wichita homes have an affordability ratio of 2.4, the 25th most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
4. Topeka
The 66605 zip code in Topeka ranks No. 4 among Kansas's residential real estate investment markets.
🔎 Key data about Topeka
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 536 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 66605 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 92.9 | 4th highest |
| Typical property value | $143,088[22] | 32nd lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 64.24%[23] | 20th highest |
| Household income | $56,602[24] | 20th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.5 | 30th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 16.1%[25] | 11th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7%[26] | 93rd lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,956[27] | 38th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 19.5%[28] | 114th highest |
Property values in Topeka's 66605 zip code have seen the 20th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state, with an appreciation of 64.24% over the past five years.
Topeka's affordability ratio of 2.5 makes it the 30th most affordable among the 536 markets we evaluated.
5. Galena
The 66739 zip code in Galena rounds out our top five residential real estate investment markets in Kansas.
🔎 Key data about Galena
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 536 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 66739 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 92.7 | 5th highest |
| Typical property value | $104,465[29] | 15th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 61.36%[30] | 26th highest |
| Household income | $45,303[31] | 26th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 2.3 | 23rd most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | -8.0%[32] | 122nd highest |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%[33] | 13rd lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,118[34] | 6th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 17.8%[35] | 118th highest |
Property values in Galena's 66739 zip code rose 61.36% over the last five years, ranking the city 26th highest among evaluated markets in Kansas.
Galena homes have an affordability ratio of 2.3, the 23rd most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
Investing in residential real estate can be one of the best passive real estate investments in Kansas.
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 Kansas
To determine the best real estate investments in Kansas we evaluated 536 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 Kansas.
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.
