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Home & Real Estate

Cash-on-Cash Return Calculator

Estimate annual cash-on-cash return from rental cash flow and the cash you actually invested.

Estimated cash-on-cash return
Change the inputs and calculate.
Annual pre-tax cash flow
Total cash invested
Average monthly cash flow
Effective rental income

Calculation breakdown

Gross annual rent
Vacancy allowance
Operating expenses
Annual debt service

Cash-on-cash return vs cap rate

Cash-on-cash return measures the annual pre-tax cash flow you receive relative to the cash you invested. Unlike cap rate, it includes debt service, so financing choices can materially change the result.

It does not capture appreciation, principal paydown, depreciation benefits or future sale proceeds, so it is one view of investment performance rather than a complete return measure.

Frequently asked questions

Does cash-on-cash return include appreciation?

No. It focuses on annual pre-tax cash flow relative to cash invested.

Should mortgage payments be included?

Yes. Annual debt service is deducted when calculating cash flow.

Why can cap rate and cash-on-cash return differ?

Cap rate ignores financing, while cash-on-cash return incorporates debt service and the amount of cash invested.

Results are estimates for informational purposes only. Verify important financial, tax, real-estate or investment decisions with a qualified professional.