Real Estate Investing in Moline, Illinois

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

1 ZIP codes • Population: 43,851 • Rock Island County

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Should you buy in Moline, IL? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (79/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Moline, IL?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

3.3% 5yr CAGR

5.0/ 5

Landlord Climate

Regulatory friendliness

🏦 30-yr Fixed Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS
Avg Investability
Avg Home Value $152,750
Avg Monthly Rent $1,065
ZIP Codes 1

Local Pulse Report

AI-researched developments and news for Moline, IL. Updated on demand as visitors ask.

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Growth & development in Moline, IL Updated 133 days ago
Moline and East Moline are experiencing significant infrastructure and housing development, alongside some business closures and expansions.
Opportunities
  • Moline broke ground on a $133 million wastewater treatment plant expansion in October 2025, the city's largest infrastructure investment. — This improves wastewater treatment and efficiency, benefiting the environment and public health. WQAD News 8
  • Developers broke ground in April 2026 on converting the old Moline Dispatch building into 40 market-rate apartments. — This adds new housing options and is expected to bring more residents and revenue to downtown Moline. WQAD News 8
  • Moline is planning a community solar project on 25 acres south of the Quad City's airport, with construction expected to start in 2026. — This project could lower energy costs for residents and create pollinator habitats. WQAD News 8
  • Illinois Governor Pritzker announced a $1 million investment in October 2025 to upgrade River Drive in downtown Moline. — This is part of a larger state program to improve infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transit. WQAD News 8
  • East Moline's $30 million Greater Downtown Revitalization Project began in April 2025, focusing on walkability and connectivity. — This project aims to create a more vibrant downtown with improved pedestrian paths, event spaces, and transit connections. Quad Cities Business Journal
Concerns
  • Silver Oaks Communications in Moline suddenly closed its doors in January 2026, terminating employee positions. — This resulted in unexpected job losses for employees. The Quad-City Times
  • East Moline-based trucking company Standard Forwarding Freight temporarily suspended operations and reduced its workforce in December 2025. — This led to job reductions and uncertainty for employees. WQAD News 8
  • An earlier plan to convert the old JC Penney building in Moline into 32 apartments was put on hold in late summer 2025. — This delayed the creation of additional downtown housing units. WQAD News 8
  • East Moline manufacturer Electro Freeze is considering expanding into Davenport, Iowa, due to outgrowing its current facility. — This potential move could shift job growth and investment away from East Moline. WQAD News 8
Bottom line: Moline and East Moline are actively pursuing significant public and private development, particularly in infrastructure and housing, despite some recent business setbacks.
Local news & events in Moline, IL Updated 133 days ago
Moline has seen community efforts to address public safety and environmental concerns, alongside ongoing events and health updates.
Opportunities
  • Moline city officials broke ground on a $133 million upgrade to the South Slope wastewater treatment plant in September 2025. — This investment will improve environmental protection by meeting new Illinois EPA regulations for filtering phosphorus and nitrogen. WQAD News 8
  • Various community events, including festivals, art walks, and historical tours, are regularly held in Moline and the Quad Cities area. — These events provide diverse opportunities for entertainment, cultural engagement, and social interaction for residents. Eventbrite, City of Moline, WQAD, Visit Quad Cities
  • The median household income in Moline grew by 5.85% in 2024 to $67,701, and the median property value increased by 3.1% to $146,300. — These economic indicators suggest an increase in financial well-being and property value for many residents. Data USA
  • Moline's homeownership rate increased to 67.3% in 2024, higher than the national average. — This indicates increased opportunities for residents to build equity and stability through homeownership. Data USA, Niche
Concerns
  • Moline experiences a higher rate of violent and property crime compared to most communities of all population sizes in America, with a 1 in 27 chance of being a victim. — High crime rates restrict personal safety and can lead to increased costs for security measures and insurance. NeighborhoodScout
  • Car thefts are a significant concern, with Moline police reporting 12 cars stolen in January 2025 alone, often by teenagers using them for other crimes. — This creates financial burdens and inconvenience for car owners and contributes to a general sense of insecurity. KWQC News
  • Moline's water contains trace concentrations of three PFAS compounds, and the city's water quality received a 'D' grade when measured against health advocacy guidelines due to multiple contaminants exceeding recommended… — This poses potential long-term health risks and may necessitate residents to invest in additional water filtration systems. City of Moline, SoftPro Water Systems
  • Flu cases were rising across the Quad Cities in January 2026, with doctors reporting an increase in hospital visits and more severe symptoms from a stronger variant. — This health concern can lead to increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and a higher risk of severe illness for residents. WQAD
  • A 2023-2024 report indicates that Moline is losing higher-income renter households due to a lack of new, modern housing alternatives, and the city has the oldest rental-occupied housing in the region. — This limits housing choices for some residents and could impact the city's economic diversity and growth. Moline Centre Housing Assessment
Bottom line: Moline is actively investing in infrastructure and offers diverse community events, but faces ongoing challenges with crime, water quality, and housing availability.
Schools in Moline, IL Updated 133 days ago
The Moline-Coal Valley School District is undergoing significant facility upgrades and consolidations, alongside slight enrollment fluctuations and ongoing program offerings.
Opportunities
  • The Moline-Coal Valley School District broke ground in March 2026 on the new $33.8 million Robert Ontiveros Elementary School. — This new facility will consolidate two older elementary schools into a modern K-5 building, enhancing learning environments. Spaces4Learning, WQAD
  • The new Robert Ontiveros Elementary School, opening in Fall 2027, will have a capacity for 600 students, nearly doubling the previous enrollment at Lincoln-Irving. — This expansion provides increased capacity and modern facilities for a larger student body. Spaces4Learning, WQAD
  • Moline High School completed a $14 million, 84,590 sq. ft. physical education facility upgrade in January 2021. — This provides students with modern athletic training, multi-purpose courts, and improved wellness opportunities. Tri-City Electric Co., Russell Co.
  • The district offers an Accelerated Placement Program (APP) for students to advance in single subjects, grade levels, or early entrance to kindergarten/first grade. — This program provides advanced students with opportunities to learn at an accelerated pace, tailoring education to individual needs. Moline Coal Valley School District
  • The Moline-Coal Valley School District unveiled a $5 million makeover of Browning Field in August 2025, including new turf, track, restrooms, and concessions. — These upgrades enhance athletic facilities for students and the community. WQAD
Concerns
  • Willard Elementary School, over 120 years old, is being retired at the end of the 2026-27 school year due to lack of air conditioning and ADA accessibility. — The closure of an existing school may disrupt established community ties and require students to adapt to a new environment. Moline Coal Valley School District, WQAD
  • The Moline-Coal Valley School District is facing a lawsuit filed in February 2026 for allegedly denying Good News Clubs equal access to elementary school facilities. — This lawsuit alleges discriminatory practices, potentially limiting access for certain community groups to school facilities. Liberty Counsel
  • Since 2020, the district has classified Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) as a "Category II" church-affiliated group, requiring facility-use fees and restricting flyer distribution. — This policy imposes costs and limits outreach for a religious organization, which they claim is discriminatory. Liberty Counsel
  • Enrollment in the Moline-Coal Valley School District has shown a slow decline over the past 10 years, from 7,438 in 2011-2012 to 7,129 in 2023-2024. — Declining enrollment can lead to reduced funding and potential school consolidations or closures in the future. Moline-Coal Valley School District No. 40, Ballotpedia
Bottom line: The Moline-Coal Valley School District is investing in significant facility modernizations and consolidations while managing a slowly declining enrollment and facing a lawsuit regarding facility access.
Civic & policy in Moline, IL Updated 133 days ago
Moline is seeing significant changes in zoning, taxation, and economic development initiatives, alongside ongoing adjustments to local regulations.
Opportunities
  • The Moline City Council voted on August 5, 2025, to advance an ordinance allowing development on R-2 lots smaller than 6,000 square feet. — This expands attainable housing options and promotes more efficient use of existing land by reducing barriers to infill housing. Citizen Portal
  • Moline was designated a River Edge Redevelopment Zone by the State of Illinois on April 9, 2026. — This designation offers tax incentives and other benefits to developers, encouraging economic revitalization and new investment along the Mississippi River. WQAD News 8
  • The City of Moline launched the Compass Municipal Identification Card (Compass ID) free of charge to all residents on July 31, 2025. — This provides a verifiable form of identification to all residents regardless of status, making city services more accessible. City of Moline News Flash
  • The City of Moline secured a $3 million grant for the River Drive Streetscape Project, announced on July 31, 2025. — This funding will enhance safety, accessibility, and connectivity in a key downtown corridor, improving public infrastructure. City of Moline News Flash
  • The Moline Plan Commission considered reducing residential parking requirements to one space per unit on March 25, 2026. — This could lower housing construction costs and encourage infill development, making housing more affordable. Moline Plan Commission Minutes
Concerns
  • Moline approved a new 1% local grocery tax, effective January 1, 2026, to offset the state's repeal of its grocery tax. — This imposes a new cost on residents for essential goods, potentially increasing the cost of living. wqad.com
  • A 2022 Moline city council ordinance eliminating Class K liquor licenses is nearing its sunset period, potentially forcing gaming cafes to close by January 2027. — This restricts business operations for gaming cafes, potentially leading to job losses and reduced entertainment options. WQAD News 8
Bottom line: Moline is actively pursuing development and accessibility initiatives while also implementing new local taxes and regulations impacting specific businesses.

AI-generated from public web sources. Always verify with official records. Not financial, legal, or investment advice.

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Landlord Ground Truth

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Avg Home Value
$152,750
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,065
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IL)

🎓 Colleges & Universities in Moline

1 College 3,853 Students 265 Off-Campus Renters
C
Black Hawk College
2-Year Public · 3,853 students
📍 ~265 students rent off-campus

Neighborhoods in Moline

ZIP Codes in Moline, IL

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Frequently Asked Questions About Moline, IL

Which investment style suits Moline, IL?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Moline, IL best. The market produces stable results for that approach at the $153K price point.

What kind of tenants rent in Moline, IL?

Moline, IL offers a measured renter base at the $1,065/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How much is rent in Moline, IL?

Rents in Moline, IL run near $1,065/mo. Compared with median home prices of $153K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Moline, IL?

Vacancy in Moline, IL is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,065/mo.

Is Moline, IL a good market for FHA house hackers?

Moline, IL offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,065/mo rent level.

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