Does Zillow Show Cap Rate? (And What to Use Instead)
Zillow does not display cap rate or cash-on-cash on listings. Here is what Zillow does show, what investors need instead, and how Realy adds rental metrics on every page.
Short answer: No. Zillow does not show cap rate, cash-on-cash return, NOI, or monthly cash flow on listing pages or search results.
Zillow is optimized for home buyers—not rental investors underwriting deals. You need a layer on top.
What Zillow Actually Shows Investors
| Zillow field | Useful for investors? |
|---|---|
| List price | ✅ Starting basis |
| Rent Zestimate | ⚠️ Starting rent guess—verify comps |
| Tax history / assessed value | ⚠️ Directional—confirm actual bill |
| Zestimate | ❌ Not an ARV tool for investors |
| Price history / reductions | ✅ Motivation signals |
| Days on Zillow | ✅ Negotiation context |
| Cap rate | ❌ Not shown |
| Cash-on-cash | ❌ Not shown |
| NOI | ❌ Not shown |
| Cash flow after mortgage | ❌ Not shown |
Investors who rely on list price + photos alone are flying blind.
What Investors Need Instead
Minimum metrics for buy-and-hold screening:
NOI = Rent − Operating Expenses
Cap Rate = NOI ÷ Purchase Price
Cash Flow = NOI − Mortgage
Cash-on-Cash = Cash Flow ÷ Cash Invested
See full formulas: NOI calculation · Cap rate guide.
Option 1: Manual Spreadsheet (Slow)
Copy each Zillow listing into Excel, enter assumptions, calculate. Works for one deal; breaks down at scale.
→ Realy vs spreadsheet comparison
Option 2: Web Calculators (Medium)
Tools like BiggerPockets calculators require re-typing listing data. Good for learning; slow for browsing.
Option 3: Realy Chrome Extension (Fast)
Realy adds investor metrics directly on Zillow:
| Zillow page | What Realy adds |
|---|---|
| Search results | Floating Open Realy Analyzer → table + map with cap rate, CoC, cash flow on every listing |
| Listing detail | Mini side panel with full metrics + assumption editor |
| Realy.app | Detailed analysis with synced settings + shareable reports |
Default assumptions (all editable):
- 20% down · 1% closing · 6.5% rate · 30-year loan
- 2% property tax · configurable insurance, vacancy, HOA, maintenance, management
Metrics match Realy's calculation engine:
capRate = netAnnualIncome / purchasePrice
cashOnCash = cashFlow / totalCashDown
Why Zillow Will Likely Never Show Cap Rate
Cap rate depends on your assumptions:
- Financing terms
- Vacancy and management
- Actual vs. estimated rent
- Insurance and rehab costs
Zillow cannot know your strategy. A tool that lets you set assumptions—like Realy—is the correct model.
Get Cap Rate on Zillow Today
- Install Realy for Chrome
- Open any Zillow search
- Click Open Realy Analyzer
- Sort by cap rate or cash-on-cash
Related: Best Chrome extensions for Zillow investing · Extension setup guide