Is Monroe County, IL good for real estate investing?

Monroe County has an investment score of 66/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #233 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the median home price in Monroe?

The median home price in Monroe County is $329,004. This ranks #768 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Monroe?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Monroe County would generate positive cash flow of $0/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Monroe County

IllinoisPopulation: 34,905

/100

Buy

#233 of 1,000 counties

#66 in Illinois (102 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated August 31, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$329,004

Median Home Price

44% above national median

$19,879/mo

Est. Rent

Based on regional data

6.04%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Estimated from price data

+$0

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

66/100

Cash Flow(30%)

0/100

Rent data not available for cash flow calculation.

Appreciation(25%)

82/100

Based on 3.8% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

59/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

No significant strengths identified based on current data.

Challenges

-Negative leverage (cap rate 0.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
-Limited rent data (estimates used)

Economic Indicators

Population

34,905

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Skip if

−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
AdamsIL	68	$174,680	$981	6.74%	Buy	View
KaneIL	68	$363,906	$2,014	6.64%	Buy	View
BondIL	67	$154,738	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
CurrentMonroeIL	66	$329,004	Est. pending	—	Buy
DuPageIL	66	$416,478	$2,040	5.88%	Buy	View
GreeneIL	65	$106,001	Est. pending	—	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyMonroe offers solid investment potential with roughly break-even cash flow at typical financing.

Monroe County in Illinois scores 66/100, ranking #233 of 1,000 US counties (top 30%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental roughly breaks even on cash flow. The deal works on appreciation or with better terms, not on month-one cash flow.

Monthly Cash Flow

+$0/mo

Cap Rate

0.0%

Cash-on-Cash

0.0%