Is Callaway County, MO good for real estate investing?

Callaway County has an investment score of 60/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #374 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Callaway County is 4.56% annually, which ranks in the 17th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Callaway?

The median home price in Callaway County is $277,802. This ranks #655 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Callaway?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Callaway County would generate negative cash flow of $770/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Callaway County

MissouriPopulation: 44,517

/100

Hold

#374 of 1,000 counties

#74 in Missouri (113 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

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

Market Snapshot

$277,802

Median Home Price

21% above national median

$1,056/mo

Median Rent

27% below national median

4.56%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 83% nationally

-$770

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,056/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	$208,351	-$406/mo	4.0%	-10.2%
Median typical MLS deal	$277,802	-$770/mo	3.0%	-14.5%
125% of median newer / premium	$347,252	-$1,134/mo	2.4%	-17.0%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$277,802

Down Payment (20%)$55,560

Loan Amount$222,242

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,056

Monthly P&I-$1,456

Est. Expenses (35%)-$370

Net Cash Flow-$770/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.5%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.56%

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

60/100

Cash Flow(30%)

38/100

Based on 4.56% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

88/100

Based on 5.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

70/100

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 (+5.5% YoY)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.56%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$770/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

44,517

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)

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
CurrentCallawayMO	60	$277,802	$1,056	4.56%	Buy
FranklinMO	60	$254,867	$1,081	5.09%	Buy	View
Saint CharlesMO	60	$360,670	$1,700	5.66%	Buy	View
Cape GirardeauMO	60	$236,877	$908	4.60%	Buy	View
ColeMO	60	$270,293	$982	4.36%	Buy	View
McDonaldMO	59	$224,100	Est. pending	—	Hold	View

The Bottom Line

HoldCallaway scores well overall, but a typical leveraged buy-and-hold loses $770/mo at current rates. Consider house hacking, value-add, or all-cash; otherwise a worse score with positive cash flow may be the better deal.

Callaway County in Missouri scores 60/100, ranking #374 of 1,000 US counties (top 48%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $770/month; the 4.56% 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

$-770/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.5%

Related markets

Markets like Callaway with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to Callaway

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Missouri →

Rent vs buy in Missouri cities

Rent vs buy in Kansas City, MOMedian $237,642 · rent $1,382/mo Rent vs buy in St. Louis, MOMedian $175,441 · rent $1,284/mo Rent vs buy in Springfield, MOMedian $248,367 · rent $1,254/mo Rent vs buy in Columbia, MOMedian $318,843 · rent $1,339/mo Rent vs buy in Independence, MOMedian $237,642 · rent $1,382/mo All Missouri citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Callaway?

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Scenario comparison

Same $1,056/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	$208,351	-$406/mo	4.0%	-10.2%
Median typical MLS deal	$277,802	-$770/mo	3.0%	-14.5%
125% of median newer / premium	$347,252	-$1,134/mo	2.4%	-17.0%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$277,802

Down Payment (20%)$55,560

Loan Amount$222,242

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,056

Monthly P&I-$1,456

Est. Expenses (35%)-$370

Net Cash Flow-$770/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.5%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.56%

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

60/100

Cash Flow(30%)

38/100

Based on 4.56% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

88/100

Based on 5.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

70/100

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)

County

Verdict

CurrentCallawayMO

$277,802

$1,056

4.56%

Buy

FranklinMO

$254,867

$1,081

5.09%

Buy

View

Saint CharlesMO

$360,670

$1,700

5.66%

Buy

View

Cape GirardeauMO

$236,877

$908

4.60%

Buy

View

ColeMO

$270,293

$982

4.36%

Buy

View

McDonaldMO

$224,100

Est. pending

—

Hold

View

The Bottom Line

Monthly Cash Flow

$-770/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.5%