Best ZIP Codes for Cash Flow in Ames, IA (2026)
Ranked by cap rate — the annual return on the purchase price before financing. ZIPs that also clear the 1% rule are marked.
| # | ZIP | City | Home value | Rent | Cap rate | 5-yr growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50107 | Grand Junction, IA | $121,141 | $954 | 6.14% | 5.8% |
| 2 | 50201 | Nevada, IA | $250,520 | $1,730 | 5.39% | 5.4% |
| 3 | 50010 | Ames, IA | $299,328 | $1,212 | 3.16% | 4.5% |
| 4 | 50217 | Paton, IA | $207,294 | $837 | 3.15% | 8.0% |
| 5 | 50056 | Colo, IA | $263,159 | $1,017 | 3.01% | 7.4% |
| 6 | 50278 | Zearing, IA | $266,387 | $1,017 | 2.98% | 6.1% |
| 7 | 50236 | Roland, IA | $262,342 | $972 | 2.89% | 5.6% |
| 8 | 50036 | Boone, IA | $214,633 | $770 | 2.80% | 5.2% |
| 9 | 50154 | McCallsburg, IA | $245,104 | $864 | 2.75% | 5.0% |
| 10 | 50014 | Ames, IA | $317,302 | $1,109 | 2.73% | 7.1% |
| 11 | 50046 | Cambridge, IA | $332,983 | $1,098 | 2.57% | 5.9% |
| 12 | 50248 | Story City, IA | $288,958 | $936 | 2.53% | 5.9% |
| 13 | 50055 | Collins, IA | $282,360 | $909 | 2.51% | 7.5% |
| 14 | 50156 | Madrid, IA | $290,404 | $918 | 2.47% | 6.5% |
| 15 | 50124 | Huxley, IA | $348,531 | $1,050 | 2.35% | 4.2% |
| 16 | 50105 | Gilbert, IA | $342,355 | $945 | 2.15% | 6.4% |
| 17 | 50134 | Kelley, IA | $355,143 | $963 | 2.12% | 7.0% |
Ranked from Repit’s own ZIP-level data — Zillow home values and rents, HUD fair-market rents where Zillow has no coverage, and U.S. Census vacancy. Cap rate is gross: annual rent over purchase price, before financing and expenses. Every ZIP above links to its full free page. How we calculate this →
Same metro, different strategy
Appreciation in Ames, IA · Affordable in Ames, IA
Or see the full Ames, IA metro profile.