Oconto is home to the best residential real estate investment market in Wisconsin.
The 54153 zip code in Oconto presents the greatest opportunity for the best real estate investments among the 1,048 individual real estate markets in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
| Rank | City | InvestScore | Affordability | Property value appreciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oconto | 100 | 3.0 | 70.21% |
| 2 | Manitowoc | 98.3 | 3.2 | 68.76% |
| 3 | Peshtigo | 95.5 | 3.2 | 50.82% |
| 4 | Two Rivers | 94.3 | 3.0 | 56.43% |
| 5 | Berlin | 92.4 | 3.1 | 53.51% |
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1. Oconto
We've identified the 54153 zip code in Oconto as Wisconsin's best real estate investment market. Here's why.
🔎 Key data about Oconto
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,048 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 54153 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 100 | Highest |
| Typical property value | $204,328[1] | 37th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 70.21%[2] | 4th highest |
| Household income | $69,148[3] | 155th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.0 | 8th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 1.5%[4] | 149th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 1.6%[5] | 36th lowest |
| Property taxes | $2,440[6] | 21st lowest |
| Educational attainment | 11.6%[7] | 259th highest |
Oconto (zip code 54153) is the best residential real estate investment market in Wisconsin. It has the 4th highest property value appreciation among markets we evaluated, with a 70.21% appreciation of the typical property over the last five years.
Oconto is the 8th most affordable market among the 1,048 Wisconsin markets we evaluated, with an affordability ratio of 3.0.
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2. Manitowoc
The 54220 zip code in Manitowoc is the runner-up spot for the best real estate investments in Wisconsin.
🔎 Key data about Manitowoc
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,048 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 54220 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 98.3 | 2nd highest |
| Typical property value | $202,527[8] | 35th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 68.76%[9] | 5th highest |
| Household income | $62,813[10] | 200th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.2 | 27th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 3.4%[11] | 104th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5%[12] | 89th lowest |
| Property taxes | $2,544[13] | 27th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 25.4%[14] | 159th highest |
The 54220 zip code in Manitowoc features a typical property value of $202,527, the 35th lowest in the state.
Property values have appreciated 68.76% over the past five years, the 5th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state. Manitowoc homes have an affordability ratio of 3.2, the 27th most affordable in the state.
3. Peshtigo
The 54157 zip code in Peshtigo comes in at No. 3 in our ranking of the best residential real estate investment markets in Wisconsin.
🔎 Key data about Peshtigo
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,048 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 54157 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 95.5 | 3rd highest |
| Typical property value | $209,869[15] | 45th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 50.82%[16] | 83rd highest |
| Household income | $66,349[17] | 174th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.2 | 22nd most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 10.6%[18] | 27th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2%[19] | 59th lowest |
| Property taxes | $1,965[20] | 9th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 17.3%[21] | 237th highest |
With a typical property value of $209,869, Peshtigo's 54157 zip code features the 45th lowest property values in the state.
Peshtigo homes have an affordability ratio of 3.2, the 22nd most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
4. Two Rivers
The 54241 zip code in Two Rivers ranks No. 4 among Wisconsin's residential real estate investment markets.
🔎 Key data about Two Rivers
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,048 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 54241 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 94.3 | 4th highest |
| Typical property value | $186,576[22] | 22nd lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 56.43%[23] | 38th highest |
| Household income | $61,346[24] | 38th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.0 | 11th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | -1.5%[25] | 204th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 1.6%[26] | 36th lowest |
| Property taxes | $2,418[27] | 19th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 22.6%[28] | 194th highest |
Property values in Two Rivers's 54241 zip code have seen the 38th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state, with an appreciation of 56.43% over the past five years.
Two Rivers's affordability ratio of 3.0 makes it the 11th most affordable among the 1,048 markets we evaluated.
5. Berlin
The 54923 zip code in Berlin rounds out our top five residential real estate investment markets in Wisconsin.
🔎 Key data about Berlin
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 1,048 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 54923 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 92.4 | 5th highest |
| Typical property value | $205,816[29] | 39th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 53.51%[30] | 52nd highest |
| Household income | $65,369[31] | 52nd highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.1 | 20th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 2.7%[32] | 121st highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%[33] | 99th lowest |
| Property taxes | $2,480[34] | 24th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 21.7%[35] | 202nd highest |
Property values in Berlin's 54923 zip code rose 53.51% over the last five years, ranking the city 52nd highest among evaluated markets in Wisconsin.
Berlin homes have an affordability ratio of 3.1, the 20th most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
Investing in residential real estate can be one of the best passive real estate investments in Wisconsin.
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 Wisconsin
To determine the best real estate investments in Wisconsin we evaluated 1,048 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 Wisconsin.
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.
