Rental Investing in St. Louis, MO
2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis
Gross Yield
7.5%
Annual rent / price
Median Home Price
$175,000
As of 2026-Q1
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Per month
Population
286,578
-0.8% / yr (5y avg)
Calculate Your Return in St. Louis
Pre-filled with St. Louis'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
7.54%
Net Rental Yield
4.79%
Cap Rate
4.79%
Monthly Cash Flow
$699.17
Annual Cash Flow
$8,390.00
Market Overview
Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend
Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend
St. Louis offers significantly above-average rental yields of 7.5%, making it an attractive market for income-focused investors.
Declining population of 0.8% per year may pose risks to long-term rental demand. Investors should focus on established neighborhoods with stable tenant bases.
The vacancy rate of 9.2% is above average, which could impact cash flow consistency. Thorough tenant screening and competitive pricing are important in this market.
Investment Profile
St. Louis 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 7.5% 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
- •Declining population may increase vacancy risk over time
Key Metrics
How St. Louis Compares
St. Louis vs Kansas City: 0.7 percentage point difference in gross yield.
| City | Median Price | Median Rent | Gross Yield | Pop. Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | $220,000 | $1,250 | 6.8% | +0.5% |
| Memphis, TN | $180,000 | $1,100 | 7.3% | -0.2% |
| Nashville, TN | $420,000 | $1,750 | 5% | +1.3% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $235,000 | $1,300 | 6.6% | +0.8% |
| Chicago, IL | $290,000 | $1,600 | 6.6% | -0.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rental investing profitable in St. Louis?▾
What is the average rental yield in St. Louis?▾
How does St. Louis compare to Kansas City 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.