Real Estate Investing in Lake City, Iowa

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

1 ZIP codes • Population: 1,951 • Calhoun County

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Should you buy in Lake City, IA? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (78/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

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

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Lake City, IA?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

7.0% 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 $157,449
Avg Monthly Rent $837
ZIP Codes 1

Investing in Lake City Real Estate

Lake City, IA covers 1 ZIP codes and a population but the investment metrics here are lackluster — this is not a market to enter casually.

Investors considering Lake City, IA should understand what the ★★★☆☆ rating represents — a market with material structural headwinds, not a temporary rough patch.

clearly Lake City's sale market has not rewarded patience. a stretch for listings sit longer, price cuts are common, and rent growth has been flat to negative in multiple ZIPs.

A an established population with $N/AK household income profile is what makes Lake City a challenging rental market — the tenant base is present, but the affordability math is tight.

A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Best ZIP codes in Carroll, IA

Lake City is part of this metro. Every ZIP in it, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in Lake City, IA. Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Avg Home Value
$157,449
Avg Monthly Rent
$837
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Carroll, IA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

☀️ Warm Market — Carroll, IA metro
0
Days to pending
10.6%
Listings with price cuts
0.0%
Sale-to-list ratio
📅 Data as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly

ZIP Codes in Lake City, IA

Screen every ZIP in Lake City

Filter Lake City’s ZIPs by cap rate, vacancy, appreciation and 30+ more criteria, and export your shortlist to CSV — with the Investor plan ($19/mo).

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lake City, IA

How do experienced investors play Lake City, IA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Lake City, IA. The numbers - $157K homes against $837/mo rents - support that play.

Is Lake City, IA a friendly market for rental owners?

Lake City, IA falls under IA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What do rentals go for in Lake City, IA?

Average rent in Lake City, IA is approximately $837/mo per month. Against $157K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What does house hacking look like in Lake City, IA?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Lake City, IA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What are vacancy rates like in Lake City, IA?

Vacancy in Lake City, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $837/mo.

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