Real Estate Investing in Iuka, Mississippi (38852)

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

Tishomingo County • Population: 8,719 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38852 (Iuka, MS)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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: 19.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Iuka, MS (38852)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $205,306
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $43,030
% Renters 23.0%

Market Analysis: 38852 Iuka

ZIP 38852 inside Tishomingo County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $205K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 38852 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $205K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Iuka have seen price recovery that 38852 has not matched. Tishomingo County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The demographic picture in 38852 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Iuka averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

tilts toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Iuka:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 38852

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$74,934/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $194,371 $880 3.3% +11.4% $97,186
3BR $224,801 $1,120 3.6% +10.2% $74,934
4BR $343,611 $1,280 2.7% +8.4% $85,903

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$217K$193K$170K$146K$122K$98KApr 2013Dec 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38852 Compare?

Metric 38852 Iuka Mississippi
Home Value $205,306 $205,306 $186,446
5-Year CAGR 4.7% 4.7% 4.0%
Avg Rent $792 $792 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 38852? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 38852 (Iuka, MS). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $205,306
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 21.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 7.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
19.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38852

Population: 8,719

💰 Median Household Income
$43,030
This area
$43,030
State
$48,827
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
27.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-17.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
-11.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.2 years
This area
49.2 years
State
10.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.9%
This area
19.9%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.6%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Black/African American 1.7%
👶 Under 18
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.7%
This area
24.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.9%
This area
11.9%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 38852

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$11,974 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

IUKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
411 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,974 Per Student
B+ Above Average

IUKA MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
324 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,974 Per Student
B+ Above Average

TISHOMINGO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
605 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$11,974 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Iuka, MS?

Iuka, MS carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $792/mo.

How deep is the rental pool in Iuka, MS?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Iuka, MS. The rental market absorbs $792/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What type of investing works in Iuka, MS?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Iuka, MS best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $205K price point.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Iuka, MS?

The house hack math a challenging in Iuka, MS. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $792/mo rents and $205K home values.

What is the investability score for Iuka, MS?

Yes - Iuka, MS a 3.0/5 investability score. With $205K home prices against $792/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

You know 38852 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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