Real Estate InvestingHomebuying Glossary

Rental Yield

The annual rental income a property generates, shown as a percentage of its value.

In plain English

Rental yield divides a property's annual rental income by its value or purchase price, giving a quick sense of how much income it generates relative to its cost — similar in spirit to cap rate but simpler to calculate.

Why it matters

Comparing rental yield across neighborhoods or property types can help identify areas where rental economics work better for investors.

Related terms

Not sure where this fits in your process?

Answer a few questions and get a personalized homebuying roadmap — where you are now, what comes next, and which terms like this one matter at each step.

Start your roadmap