Real Estate Investment ROI Calculator

Calculate total ROI including cash flow, appreciation, equity, and tax benefits over your hold period.

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Total ROI

188.4%

Annualized ROI

23.6%

Cash-on-Cash Return

-3.2%

Investment Summary

Down Payment$60,000.00
Closing Costs$9,000.00
Total Cash Investment$69,000.00
Loan Amount$240,000.00

Returns

Property Appreciation$50,000.00
Net Rental Income (5 yr)$80,000.00
Total Return$130,000.00
Total ROI188.4%
Annualized ROI23.6%

Cash Flow & Equity

Annual Rental Income$24,000.00
Annual Expenses- $8,000.00
Annual Mortgage Payment- $18,203.56
Annual Cash Flow-$2,203.56
Monthly Cash Flow-$183.63
Cash-on-Cash Return-3.2%
Total Equity Built$125,333.65

Use the Real Estate Investment ROI Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

A Real Estate Investment ROI Calculator determines the return on investment percentage for rental properties by comparing annual cash flow to your initial investment. With rental yields averaging 8-12% nationally in 2026 and property values continuing to appreciate, calculating accurate ROI helps investors identify profitable opportunities and compare different investment properties.

The calculator uses the formula: ROI = (Annual Rental Income - Annual Expenses) ÷ Total Cash Invested × 100. Annual expenses include mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy allowance, and property management fees, while total cash invested encompasses down payment, closing costs, and initial repairs or improvements.

Common mistakes include forgetting to account for vacancy rates (typically 5-10%) and underestimating maintenance costs, which average 1-2% of property value annually. Remember that this calculator shows cash-on-cash return, not total return which would include property appreciation and tax benefits like depreciation deductions.

Duplex Investment: $320,000 Purchase with $64,000 Down Payment

  1. 1 Purchase a duplex for $320,000 with 20% down ($64,000), plus $8,000 in closing costs and $12,000 for initial renovations, totaling $84,000 cash invested.
  2. 2 Calculate annual income: $2,400/month rent × 12 months = $28,800. Calculate annual expenses: $1,680 mortgage payment × 12 = $20,160, plus $3,200 taxes, $1,200 insurance, $3,200 maintenance, $1,440 vacancy (5%), totaling $29,200.
  3. 3 Determine net annual cash flow: $28,800 rental income - $29,200 expenses = -$400 (negative cash flow of $400 annually).
  4. 4 Calculate ROI: -$400 ÷ $84,000 × 100 = -0.48% ROI. This property generates a negative return, indicating the rental income doesn't cover all expenses, requiring additional capital contribution from the investor.

Source: CFPB — Owning a Home · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good ROI on real estate investment?
Total ROI of 8-12% annually is considered good for rental property, including cash flow, appreciation, equity buildup, and tax benefits. Fix-and-flip investors typically target 15-25% per project over a 6-12 month period.
How do I calculate ROI on an investment property?
Add annual net cash flow, equity gained from mortgage paydown, property appreciation, and tax savings from depreciation. Divide the total by your initial cash investment (down payment, closing costs, repairs). This gives your true total return on invested capital.
Does real estate beat the stock market?
Leveraged real estate can outperform stocks on a cash-on-cash basis due to mortgage leverage, tax benefits, and forced appreciation. However, stocks are more liquid, passive, and diversified. Historical average returns are roughly comparable at 8-12% when all factors are included.