Is Onondaga County, NY good for real estate investing?

Onondaga County has an investment score of 69/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #0 nationally among 0 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Onondaga County is 6.91% annually, which ranks in the 50th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Onondaga?

The median home price in Onondaga County is $288,758. This ranks #0 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Onondaga?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Onondaga County would generate negative cash flow of $433/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Onondaga County

New YorkPopulation: 472,637

/100

Hold

#0 of 0 counties

#16 in New York (62 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

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

Market Snapshot

$288,758

Median Home Price

0% below national median

$1,662/mo

Median Rent

0% below national median

6.91%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 50% nationally

-$433

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,662/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	$216,568	-$55/mo	6.0%	-1.3%
Median typical MLS deal	$288,758	-$433/mo	4.5%	-7.8%
125% of median newer / premium	$360,947	-$812/mo	3.6%	-11.7%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$288,758

Down Payment (20%)$57,752

Loan Amount$231,006

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,662

Monthly P&I-$1,514

Est. Expenses (35%)-$582

Net Cash Flow-$433/mo

4.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-7.8%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.91%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.5% 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

69/100

Cash Flow(30%)

69/100

Based on 6.91% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

90/100

Based on 6.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

68/100

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 (+6.5% YoY)
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$433/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.5% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

472,637

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
ClintonNY	71	$216,455	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
OrleansNY	70	$189,231	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
SchuylerNY	70	$247,723	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
CurrentOnondagaNY	69	$288,758	$1,662	6.91%	Buy
MadisonNY	68	$246,228	$1,277	6.22%	Buy	View
MonroeNY	67	$269,412	$1,499	6.68%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

HoldOnondaga scores well overall, but a typical leveraged buy-and-hold loses $433/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.

Onondaga County in New York scores 69/100, ranking #0 of 0 US counties (top 50%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $433/month; the 6.91% 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

$-433/mo

Cap Rate

4.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-7.8%

Related markets

Markets like Onondaga with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to Onondaga

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in New York →

Rent vs buy in New York cities

Rent vs buy in New York, NYMedian $1,182,636 · rent $4,367/mo Rent vs buy in Buffalo, NYMedian $282,437 · rent $1,371/mo Rent vs buy in Rochester, NYMedian $269,412 · rent $1,499/mo Rent vs buy in Yonkers, NYMedian $824,579 · rent $3,016/mo Rent vs buy in Syracuse, NYMedian $264,378 · rent $1,627/mo All New York citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Onondaga?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

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Scenario comparison

Same $1,662/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	$216,568	-$55/mo	6.0%	-1.3%
Median typical MLS deal	$288,758	-$433/mo	4.5%	-7.8%
125% of median newer / premium	$360,947	-$812/mo	3.6%	-11.7%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$288,758

Down Payment (20%)$57,752

Loan Amount$231,006

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,662

Monthly P&I-$1,514

Est. Expenses (35%)-$582

Net Cash Flow-$433/mo

4.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-7.8%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.91%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.5% 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

69/100

Cash Flow(30%)

69/100

Based on 6.91% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

90/100

Based on 6.5% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

68/100

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

ClintonNY

$216,455

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

OrleansNY

$189,231

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

SchuylerNY

$247,723

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

CurrentOnondagaNY

$288,758

$1,662

6.91%

Buy

MadisonNY

$246,228

$1,277

6.22%

Buy

View

MonroeNY

$269,412

$1,499

6.68%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

Monthly Cash Flow

$-433/mo

Cap Rate

4.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-7.8%