Cash Flow Calculator
The most immediate return metric in real estate: what's actually left over each month after the mortgage and expenses are paid.
Monthly cash flow
$303
Monthly mortgage (P&I)
$1,597
What is cash flow?
Monthly cash flow is your rental income minus every recurring cost of owning the property — operating expenses and the mortgage payment. Positive cash flow means the property pays for itself and puts money in your pocket every month; negative cash flow means you're subsidizing it out of pocket.
The formula
Monthly Cash Flow = Monthly Rent − Monthly Operating Expenses − Monthly Mortgage Payment (P&I).
Why it matters
Cash flow is what makes a rental property sustainable to hold. Appreciation and equity paydown build wealth over years, but cash flow is what keeps the property funded month to month without dipping into your own savings.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an operating expense?
Property taxes, insurance, maintenance, property management fees, HOA dues, and a vacancy allowance — everything it costs to keep the property running and rented. It doesn't include the mortgage payment, which this calculator adds in separately.
Is cash flow the same as profit?
Not quite. Cash flow is what's left in your pocket each month after the mortgage and operating expenses — it doesn't account for the equity you're building through principal paydown, appreciation, or taxes, all of which factor into your total return over time.
What's considered good cash flow for a rental property?
A common rule of thumb is $100-$200+ per month per unit as a baseline, but the right target depends on your market, financing, and risk tolerance. A property with modest cash flow but strong appreciation potential can still be a good investment overall.
Want the full picture?
Cash flow is one metric. Monte Estate adds cap rate, cash-on-cash return, IRR, and a 10,000-trial Monte Carlo simulation — free to start, no credit card required.
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