Is Johnson County, KS good for real estate investing?

Johnson County has an investment score of 53/100, rated as "Hold". The county ranks #543 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Johnson?

The rent-to-price ratio in Johnson County is 4.65% annually, which ranks in the 18th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Johnson?

The median home price in Johnson County is $468,651. This ranks #913 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Johnson?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Johnson County would generate negative cash flow of $1,277/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Johnson County

KansasPopulation: 610,742

/100

Hold

#543 of 1,000 counties

#88 in Kansas (105 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated July 20, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$468,651

Median Home Price

104% above national median

$1,815/mo

Median Rent

25% above national median

4.65%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 82% nationally

-$1,277

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,815/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$351,488	-$663/mo	4.0%	-9.8%
Median typical MLS deal	$468,651	-$1,277/mo	3.0%	-14.2%
125% of median newer / premium	$585,813	-$1,891/mo	2.4%	-16.8%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$468,651

Down Payment (20%)$93,730

Loan Amount$374,921

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,815

Monthly P&I-$2,457

Est. Expenses (35%)-$635

Net Cash Flow-$1,277/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.2%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.65%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

53/100

Cash Flow(30%)

40/100

Based on 4.65% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

86/100

Based on 5.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

33/100

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

+Strong price appreciation (+5.1% YoY)
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.65%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,277/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
-High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Economic Indicators

Population

610,742

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+Appreciation buyers: YoY growth is meaningfully above the long-run average
+Patient holders willing to accept negative carry for equity gains
+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
FordKS	58	$204,156	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
LeavenworthKS	56	$334,681	$1,131	4.06%	Hold	View
CurrentJohnsonKS	53	$468,651	$1,815	4.65%	Hold
LabetteKS	51	$94,035	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
NeoshoKS	51	$106,328	Est. pending	—	Hold	View
BarberKS	49	$78,890	Est. pending	—	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

HoldJohnson is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Johnson County in Kansas scores 53/100, ranking #543 of 1,000 US counties (top 69%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $1277/month; the 4.65% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,277/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.2%

Related markets

Markets like Johnson with stronger cash flow

Leavenworth County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to Johnson

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Kansas →

Rent vs buy in Kansas cities

Rent vs buy in Wichita, KSMedian $215,377 · rent $1,177/mo Rent vs buy in Overland Park, KSMedian $438,419 · rent $1,669/mo Rent vs buy in Kansas City, KSMedian $201,014 · rent $1,229/mo Rent vs buy in Olathe, KSMedian $438,419 · rent $1,669/mo Rent vs buy in Topeka, KSMedian $198,892 · rent $1,137/mo All Kansas citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

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Scenario comparison

Same $1,815/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$351,488	-$663/mo	4.0%	-9.8%
Median typical MLS deal	$468,651	-$1,277/mo	3.0%	-14.2%
125% of median newer / premium	$585,813	-$1,891/mo	2.4%	-16.8%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$468,651

Down Payment (20%)$93,730

Loan Amount$374,921

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,815

Monthly P&I-$2,457

Est. Expenses (35%)-$635

Net Cash Flow-$1,277/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.2%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.65%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

53/100

Cash Flow(30%)

40/100

Based on 4.65% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

86/100

Based on 5.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

33/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Who this market fits

Best for

+Appreciation buyers: YoY growth is meaningfully above the long-run average
+Patient holders willing to accept negative carry for equity gains
+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

County

Verdict

FordKS

$204,156

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

LeavenworthKS

$334,681

$1,131

4.06%

Hold

View

CurrentJohnsonKS

$468,651

$1,815

4.65%

Hold

LabetteKS

$94,035

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

NeoshoKS

$106,328

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

BarberKS

$78,890

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

HoldJohnson is a neutral market. Consider house hacking or targeting below-market deals.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,277/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.2%