Rental Investing in Louisville, KY
2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis
Gross Yield
6.9%
Annual rent / price
Median Home Price
$210,000
As of 2026-Q1
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Per month
Population
633,045
+0.3% / yr (5y avg)
Calculate Your Return in Louisville
Pre-filled with Louisville's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.
Property Details
Total acquisition cost before taxes
HOA, insurance, property management
% of time the property is empty
% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)
Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr
Results
Gross Rental Yield
6.86%
Net Rental Yield
4.37%
Cap Rate
4.37%
Monthly Cash Flow
$765.00
Annual Cash Flow
$9,180.00
Market Overview
Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend
Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend
Louisville provides solid rental yields of 6.9%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.
Modest population growth of 0.3% per year indicates a stable but slowly growing rental market.
The vacancy rate of 6.7% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.
Investment Profile
Louisville is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.
✓ Strengths
- •High gross yield of 6.9% supports strong monthly cash flow
- •Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
- •Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing
! Risks
- •Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
- •Modest population growth limits long-term demand growth
Key Metrics
How Louisville Compares
Louisville vs Cincinnati: 0.4 percentage point difference in gross yield.
| City | Median Price | Median Rent | Gross Yield | Pop. Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH | $220,000 | $1,200 | 6.5% | +0.3% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $235,000 | $1,300 | 6.6% | +0.8% |
| Nashville, TN | $420,000 | $1,750 | 5% | +1.3% |
| Columbus, OH | $250,000 | $1,350 | 6.5% | +1.1% |
| Birmingham, AL | $170,000 | $1,050 | 7.4% | -0.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rental investing profitable in Louisville?▾
What is the average rental yield in Louisville?▾
How does Louisville compare to Cincinnati for investors?▾
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Data source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.