Real Estate Cap Rate Calculator
Calculate the Capitalization Rate for your potential real estate investment.
Gross Scheduled Income (Annual):
$0.00
Vacancy Loss:
$0.00
Effective Gross Income:
$0.00
Operating Expenses:
$0.00
Net Operating Income (NOI):
$0.00
Cap Rate:
0.00%
What is Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate)?
The Capitalization Rate, or Cap Rate, is one of the most fundamental metrics used in commercial and residential real estate investing. It measures the rate of return on a real estate investment property based on the income that the property is expected to generate. The cap rate is used to estimate the investor's potential return on their investment.
Essentially, the Cap Rate answers the question: "If I paid all cash for this property, what percentage of my investment would I get back in profit every year?"
The Cap Rate Formula
The formula to calculate the Cap Rate is relatively simple, but it requires accurate data regarding the property's income and expenses:
Cap Rate = (Net Operating Income / Current Market Value) × 100
- Net Operating Income (NOI): This is the annual income generated by the property after deducting all operating expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance) but before deducting mortgage payments or capital expenditures.
- Current Market Value: This is the purchase price of the property or its current estimated value in the market.
How to Use This Cap Rate Calculator
- Purchase Price: Enter the total price you are paying for the property.
- Monthly Rental Income: Input the gross rent you expect to collect each month.
- Vacancy Rate: Estimate the percentage of time the property might sit empty. A standard conservative estimate is 5-8%.
- Annual Operating Expenses: Sum up all yearly costs including property taxes, landlord insurance, repairs, maintenance, and property management fees. Do not include your mortgage principal or interest payments here.
What is a "Good" Cap Rate?
There is no single percentage that defines a "good" cap rate, as it varies significantly by location, property type, and the current economic environment. However, here are general guidelines:
- 4% to 5%: Often found in high-demand, low-risk areas (like downtown NYC or San Francisco). Lower risk usually means lower returns.
- 6% to 8%: Generally considered a healthy balance between risk and return for many residential and commercial investments.
- 8% to 12%+: Typically found in riskier areas or older properties that may require more maintenance or have higher tenant turnover.
Why Cap Rate Matters
Cap Rate allows investors to compare properties quickly, regardless of price. A $200,000 home and a $2,000,000 apartment complex can be compared side-by-side using their cap rates to see which generates more income relative to its cost.
Remember, a higher cap rate implies a higher return but often comes with higher risk. A lower cap rate implies a safer investment but with a lower annual yield.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is included in Net Operating Income (NOI)?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "NOI includes all revenue from the property minus all necessary operating expenses. Operating expenses include property taxes, insurance, management fees, utilities, and repairs. NOI does NOT include mortgage payments, capital expenditures (like a new roof), or depreciation."
}
}, {
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Does Cap Rate include the mortgage?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "No. Cap Rate is an unleveraged metric, meaning it assumes the property is purchased with all cash. It measures the property's natural profitability regardless of how it is financed. To account for financing, investors use the Cash-on-Cash Return metric."
}
}, {
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Is a higher Cap Rate always better?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Not necessarily. While a higher Cap Rate means a higher annual return on investment, it often correlates with higher risk, such as properties in declining neighborhoods or those requiring significant renovations. A lower Cap Rate is often acceptable for stabilized assets in prime locations."
}
}]
}
function calculateCapRate() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('propertyPrice').value);
var monthlyRent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyRent').value);
var vacancyRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('vacancyRate').value);
var annualExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualExp').value);
// 2. Validate Inputs
if (isNaN(price) || price <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Purchase Price greater than 0.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(monthlyRent) || monthlyRent < 0) {
alert("Please enter valid Monthly Rental Income.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(vacancyRate) || vacancyRate 100) {
alert("Please enter a Vacancy Rate between 0 and 100.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(annualExpenses) || annualExpenses 0) {
capRate = (noi / price) * 100;
}
// 4. Update UI with formatted numbers
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
});
document.getElementById('resGrossIncome').innerText = formatter.format(grossAnnualIncome);
document.getElementById('resVacancy').innerText = "-" + formatter.format(vacancyLoss);
document.getElementById('resEffectiveIncome').innerText = formatter.format(effectiveGrossIncome);
document.getElementById('resExpenses').innerText = "-" + formatter.format(annualExpenses);
document.getElementById('resNOI').innerText = formatter.format(noi);
var capRateElement = document.getElementById('resCapRate');
capRateElement.innerText = capRate.toFixed(2) + "%";
// Visual feedback based on result (Green for positive, Red for negative)
if (capRate >= 0) {
capRateElement.style.color = "#27ae60";
} else {
capRateElement.style.color = "#c0392b";
}
// Show result box
document.getElementById('capResult').style.display = "block";
}