Rental Yield & ROI Calculator

Analyze investment property returns with gross yield, net yield, cash-on-cash return, and internal rate of return (IRR) calculations.

Property & Investment Details

Enter purchase details, income, and expenses to calculate ROI metrics.

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Annual Operating Expenses

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ROI Analysis Results

Gross Rental Yield

0.00%

Annual rent / Purchase price

Net Rental Yield

0.00%

(Rent - Expenses) / Purchase price

Cash-on-Cash Return

0.00%

Annual cash flow / Down payment

Projected IRR

0.00%

Including appreciation and cash flow

Total Cash Flow

$0

Over holding period

Total Equity Gain

$0

From appreciation

How Rental Yield & ROI Calculator Works

Calculate rental yield, net yield, cash-on-cash return, and IRR for investment properties. Free real estate ROI analysis tool.

Core Use Case Scenario

Financial planners and prospective homebuyers compare the 30-year wealth impact of renting versus purchasing, factoring appreciation, investment returns, and transaction costs.

Troubleshooting & Edge-Case Failure Points

  • Appreciation is unrealized — compare against realistic returns.
  • Include closing costs (~2-5%) and selling commissions (~6%).
  • Tax deductibility varies by jurisdiction.
  • Moving costs can shift crossover timing by years.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Set home price, down payment, mortgage rate, and loan term.
  2. Input property tax, maintenance, HOA, and appreciation.
  3. Enter monthly rent, rent inflation, and investment return.
  4. Calculate to see net worth trajectories and crossover year.

How to Use the Rental Yield Calculator

  1. Enter the purchase price (including closing costs and any immediate repairs — that is your true basis).
  2. Enter expected monthly rent and the vacancy rate (5–8% is a realistic planning default).
  3. Add operating expenses: property tax, insurance, maintenance (budget 1% of value/yr), HOA, management if used.
  4. Read gross yield, net yield, and the 1% rule check — the three numbers investors screen with.

How the Math Works

Gross yield = Annual rent ÷ Price
Net yield = (Annual rent − vacancy − operating costs) ÷ Price
Cap rate = NOI ÷ Price

Worked example: a $250,000 duplex renting for $1,900/month per side? No — take the simpler single unit: $250,000 property, $1,900/month rent. Gross yield = $22,800 ÷ $250,000 = 9.1%. Now reality: 6% vacancy ($1,368), operating costs of $4,100 (tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, management at 8%) leave NOI ≈ $10,930 — a net yield of 4.4%. That gap between the pretty gross number and the honest net number is where bad investments live. The 1% rule (monthly rent ≥ 1% of price = $2,500 here) is a 10-second screen, not a verdict: this property fails it at $1,900, yet may still beat index funds after appreciation in a growing metro.

What Counts as a Good Yield

Market typeTypical gross yieldTypical net yield
Midwest cash-flow markets8–12%4–6%
Sun Belt growth metros6–9%3–5%
Coastal appreciation markets3–6%1–3%

Net yields above ~6% usually price in risk: weaker tenant demand, aging stock, or shrinking populations. Yield and appreciation trade off — choose which you are buying for. Cap-rate context: Freddie Mac multifamily surveys track market rates.

Rental Yield FAQ

What is the 1% rule in real estate?

Monthly rent should be at least 1% of the purchase price for a quick pass/fail screen. It is a starting filter, not an investment thesis — always verify with net yield including vacancy, taxes, and maintenance.

What is a good rental yield?

Gross 6-10% depending on market type; net 3-6%. Midwest markets print higher yields with slower appreciation; coastal markets print 1-3% net yields betting on appreciation.

Does the calculator include mortgage payments?

No — yield and cap rate are unleveraged metrics by design (they measure the asset). For after-financing cash flow, use our rental cash flow calculator alongside this one.

What expenses do landlords forget?

Vacancy (5-8%), maintenance reserve (1% of value per year), capital expenses (roof, HVAC every 10-15 years), leasing fees, and management — DIY management is a job you are doing for ~8-10% of rent.