Real Estate Investing in Melbourne, Iowa

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

1 ZIP codes • Population: 1,190 • Marshall County

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

🏠 For Homebuyers
GREAT FIT
Grade A (85/100)

Strong fundamentals — affordable, appreciating, and stable. A confident pick for primary residence.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

7.9% 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 $249,454
Avg Monthly Rent $1,296
ZIP Codes 1

Investing in Melbourne Real Estate

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

The investment case for Melbourne is difficult to make on screen data alone. a harder case for a 3.0 rating and a cap rate of 0.0% that looks fine only until you underwrite the vacancy.

Rent trends and price trends in Melbourne are both soft, which is the uncomfortable combination that defines distressed-leaning markets in Iowa.

The 0% renter share in Melbourne masks uneven tenant quality across ZIPs, and $N/AK median income leaves little cushion against economic shocks.

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 Marshalltown, IA

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

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Avg Home Value
$249,454
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,296
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Marshalltown, IA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
57%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

☀️ Warm Market — Marshalltown, 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 Melbourne, IA

Screen every ZIP in Melbourne

Filter Melbourne’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 Melbourne, IA

How does Melbourne, IA rate as a rental market?

Melbourne, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $249K and rents near $1,296/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How expensive is real estate in Melbourne, IA?

The median home value in Melbourne, IA is roughly $249K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IA statewide average.

Where do rents currently stand in Melbourne, IA?

Investors in Melbourne, IA typically see rents near $1,296/mo per month against $249K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Melbourne, IA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Melbourne, IA. Rents at $1,296/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Melbourne, IA?

Melbourne, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($249K prices, $1,296/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

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