Real Estate Investing in Ruthven, Iowa

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

1 ZIP codes • Population: 1,277 • Palo Alto County

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

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 35.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Ruthven, IA?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

6.5% 5yr CAGR

5.0/ 5

Landlord Climate

Regulatory friendliness

🏦 30-yr Fixed Rate: 6.95% as of Sep 17 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS
Avg Investability
Avg Home Value $189,197
Avg Monthly Rent $828
ZIP Codes 1

Investing in Ruthven Real Estate

Ruthven, 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 Ruthven is difficult to make on screen data alone. better suited elsewhere 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 Ruthven are both soft, which is the uncomfortable combination that defines distressed-leaning markets in Iowa.

Distressed-leaning demographics in Ruthven — soft income growth, high rent burden, population shifts — are among the reasons the ★★★☆☆ rating sits where it does.

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 Spencer, IA

Ruthven 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
$189,197
Avg Monthly Rent
$828
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (IA)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Spencer, 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 — Spencer, IA metro
0
Days to pending
6.4%
Listings with price cuts
0.0%
Sale-to-list ratio
📅 Data as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly

ZIP Codes in Ruthven, IA

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Filter Ruthven’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 Ruthven, IA

Where do rents currently stand in Ruthven, IA?

The typical rental in Ruthven, IA commands about $828/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $189K purchase basis.

What type of investing works in Ruthven, IA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Ruthven, IA best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $189K price point.

What are home prices like in Ruthven, IA?

The median home value in Ruthven, IA is roughly $189K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IA statewide average.

How tight is the rental market in Ruthven, IA?

Ruthven, IA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect measured absorption at market rents of $828/mo.

Is Ruthven, IA a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Ruthven, IA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

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