Real Estate Investing in Lake Bluff, Illinois (60044)

Lake County • Population: 10,289 • Data updated: June 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 60044 (Lake Bluff, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Lake Bluff, IL (60044)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $662,849
Avg Monthly Rent $1,965
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $114,831
% Renters 31.4%

Market Analysis: 60044 Lake Bluff

From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 60044 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $663K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 60044 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 60044 and stronger Lake Bluff ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 60044 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 60044 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $663K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lake Bluff:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,965/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 60044

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+10.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$148,223/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $296,445 $2,100 5.1% +10.4% $148,223
3BR $560,873 $2,700 3.5% +9.0% $186,958
4BR $859,841 $3,130 2.6% +9.3% $214,960
5BR $1,301,877 +9.8% $260,375

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$689K$613K$536K$460K$384K$307KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,186$2,129$2,071$2,013$1,955$1,897May 2025Nov 2025May 2026

📊 How Does 60044 Compare?

Metric 60044 Lake Bluff Illinois
Home Value $662,849 $662,849 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 9.0% 9.0% 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,965 $1,965 -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 60044? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 60044 (Lake Bluff, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 60044 (Lake Bluff, IL)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+9.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $662,849
Monthly Rent $1,965
Price-to-Rent 28.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.6%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +9.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -3.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60044

Population: 10,289

💰 Median Household Income
$114,831
This area
$114,831
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.4%
This area
31.4%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
67.9%
This area
67.9%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.0 years
This area
45.0 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.7%
Other/Mixed 10.0%
Asian 8.8%
Hispanic/Latino 8.3%
Black/African American 1.5%
👶 Under 18
24.0%
This area
24.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.0%
This area
23.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 60044

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
10.7:1 Avg Class Size
$26,400 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Lake Bluff Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
289 Students
👨‍🏫
8.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,400 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lake Bluff Elem Sch

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
592 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$26,400 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Green Bay Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
📍 2100 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago
👥
217 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,183 Per Student
A+ Excellent

LEARN Chtr Sch 6 N Chicago Campus

📚 K – 08 School Charter
📍 3131 Sheridan Rd, Great Lakes
👥
503 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,183 Per Student
A+ Excellent

A J Katzenmaier Academy

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
📍 1829 Kennedy Dr, North Chicago
👥
320 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,183 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Evelyn Alexander School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
📍 1210 Adams St, North Chicago
👥
330 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,183 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Forrestal Elem School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
📍 2833 E Washington Ave, Great Lakes
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,183 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
C
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
1,949 students · 1.1 mi
C+
Lake Forest College
1,818 students · 3.0 mi
D
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
275 students · 3.2 mi
D
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville
193 students · 4.0 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills
57 students · 5.7 mi
D
Trinity International University-Illinois
852 students · 6.0 mi
C
State Career College
140 students · 6.1 mi
C
University of Saint Mary of the Lake
203 students · 7.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a house cost in Lake Bluff, IL?

Expect median prices around $663K in Lake Bluff, IL. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

Is vacancy a concern in Lake Bluff, IL?

Vacancy risk in Lake Bluff, IL is elevated. That supports measured cash flow for typical rental holds.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Lake Bluff, IL?

IL ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Lake Bluff generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

What does house hacking look like in Lake Bluff, IL?

House hacking in Lake Bluff, IL is a challenging. With home values around $663K and rents at $1,965/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

Are tenants stable in Lake Bluff, IL?

Lake Bluff, IL offers a stable renter base at the $1,965/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

See what 60044 really looks like for investors

You're reading the free snapshot. Unlock appreciation trends, cap rates, vacancy signals, Section 8 data, and full demographics for 60044.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 60044 (Lake Bluff)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 60044 (Lake Bluff, IL).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.