Landlord ROI Calculator
Cash-on-cash return on a rental property — your actual cash invested vs. cash flow.
🔒 Runs entirely in your browser — nothing here is ever uploaded
About the Landlord ROI Calculator
Calculates cash-on-cash return — annual pre-tax cash flow divided by the actual cash you invested (down payment, closing costs, and initial repairs, not the full property price) — the metric that most directly answers how hard your actual money is working.
- Enter your down payment, closing costs, and any initial repair/setup costs.
- Enter monthly rent, monthly operating expenses, and your monthly mortgage payment.
- Read your cash-on-cash return and cash flow.
$70,000 down payment, $8,000 closing costs, $5,000 repairs ($83,000 total cash invested); $2,200 rent, $550 monthly expenses, $1,450 monthly mortgage: $200/month cash flow, a 2.89% cash-on-cash return.
| Range | Common association |
|---|---|
| Below 8% | Below the typical target range for many investors |
| 8-12% | General industry consensus for a solid return |
| 12%+ | Exceptional, often in higher-growth or higher-risk markets |
Cash-on-cash return divides by your actual cash invested, not the full purchase price, since the rest is financed — distinguishing it from cap rate. A commonly cited target is roughly 8-12%. This is a pre-tax estimate that doesn't account for appreciation or principal paydown.
- • A low or even negative monthly cash flow doesn't necessarily mean a bad investment — principal paydown and appreciation build wealth too.
- • Cash-on-cash return is sensitive to your down payment size in both directions.
- • Compare cash-on-cash return against your other investment alternatives, factoring in real estate's illiquidity.
- Investopedia — Cash-on-Cash Return Definition and Formula — accessed 2026-08-30
- Rabbu — What Is a Good Cash-on-Cash Return? — accessed 2026-09-01
Illustrative estimate only, not financial or tax advice. Verify figures with a licensed adviser or your local tax authority.