Real Estate Investing in Marathon, Iowa

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

1 ZIP codes • Population: 413 • Buena Vista County

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

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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 (57/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 25.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.1% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Marathon, IA?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

4.9% 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 $100,946
Avg Monthly Rent $972
ZIP Codes 1

Investing in Marathon Real Estate

With a sizable population across 1 ZIPs, Marathon shows the kind of modest fundamentals that keep most out-of-state capital on the sidelines.

Across Marathon's 1 ZIPs, fundamentals run subdued: thin appreciation, soft rents, and demographic trends that don't obviously reverse in the medium term.

The $972/mo / $101K relationship in Marathon looks thin once vacancy and capex are incorporated into underwriting. leans the realized yield tends to disappoint.

Demographics in Marathon show real pressure — median income of $N/AK is soft relative to rents, and the 0% renter share includes significant cost-burdened households.

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 Storm Lake, IA

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

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →

Landlord Ground Truth

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Avg Home Value
$100,946
Avg Monthly Rent
$972
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Storm Lake, 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 — Storm Lake, IA metro
0
Days to pending
8.9%
Listings with price cuts
0.0%
Sale-to-list ratio
📅 Data as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly

ZIP Codes in Marathon, IA

Screen every ZIP in Marathon

Filter Marathon’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 Marathon, IA

What is the typical rental rate in Marathon, IA?

Expect rents around $972/mo per month in Marathon, IA. With home values at $101K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Marathon, IA?

The best-fit strategy in Marathon, IA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How expensive is real estate in Marathon, IA?

Homes in Marathon, IA typically sell near $101K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which consistent long-term demand.

Are landlord laws favorable in Marathon, IA?

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

What is the investability score for Marathon, IA?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Marathon, IA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $101K and rents of $972/mo drive the underlying numbers.

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