Real Estate Investing in Watertown, South Dakota

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

1 ZIP codes • Population: 26,375 • Codington County

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Should you buy in Watertown, SD? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Watertown, SD?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

4.4% 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 $326,761
Avg Monthly Rent $1,205
ZIP Codes 1
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Best ZIP codes in Watertown, SD

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Landlord Ground Truth

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Avg Home Value
$326,761
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,205
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (SD)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Watertown, SD metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
54%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

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☀️ Warm Market — Watertown, SD metro
0
Days to pending
7.9%
Listings with price cuts
0.0%
Sale-to-list ratio
📅 Data as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly

🎓 Colleges & Universities in Watertown

1 College 2,179 Students 1,895 Off-Campus Renters
C
Lake Area Technical College
2-Year Public · 2,179 students
📍 ~1,895 students rent off-campus

Investor Insight: With 1,895 students living off-campus, Watertown has substantial rental demand from the college population — typically stable, lease-renewing tenants.

ZIP Codes in Watertown, SD

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Frequently Asked Questions About Watertown, SD

What price range are homes in Watertown, SD?

Homes in Watertown, SD typically sell near $327K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

What is the best play in Watertown, SD?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Watertown, SD. The numbers - $327K homes against $1,205/mo rents - support that play.

Is SD a landlord-friendly state?

SD ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Watertown generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Should investors consider Watertown, SD?

Yes - Watertown, SD a 3.0/5 investability score. With $327K home prices against $1,205/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Watertown, SD?

Watertown, SD offers a reliable renter base at the $1,205/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

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