Real Estate Investing in Mishawaka, Indiana (46544)

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

Saint Joseph County • Population: 31,138 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 46544 (Mishawaka, IN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (80/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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.

What’s happening in Mishawaka, IN (46544)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $212,769
Avg Monthly Rent $1,292
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,024
% Renters 34.1%

Market Analysis: 46544 Mishawaka

The 46544 ZIP in Mishawaka, IN is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $213K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $213K asset, 46544 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Regionally, 46544 sits on the difficult end of the IN spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The demographic picture in 46544 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Mishawaka averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 46544 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $213K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Mishawaka:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,292/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 46544

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
7.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+11.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$66,890/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $103,676 $1,090 7.6% +11.2% $103,676
2BR $147,056 $1,270 6.2% +8.5% $73,528
3BR $210,219 $1,540 5.3% +8.2% $70,073
4BR $267,562 $1,680 4.5% +8.0% $66,890
5BR $345,192 +7.8% $69,038

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$223K$193K$163K$133K$104K$74KAug 2007Feb 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,390$1,291$1,191$1,091$992$892Mar 2023Nov 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 46544 Compare?

Metric 46544 Mishawaka Indiana
Home Value $212,769 $217,148 $248,442
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 7.0% 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,292 $1,280 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 46544? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 46544 (Mishawaka, IN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $212,769
Monthly Rent $1,292
Price-to-Rent 13.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.3%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +20.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +10.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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
6.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 46544

Population: 31,138

💰 Median Household Income
$59,024
This area
$59,024
State
$69,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.1%
This area
34.1%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.4%
This area
5.4%
State
-23.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.3%
This area
24.3%
State
-6.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.6 years
This area
35.6 years
State
-0.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.4%
This area
6.4%
State
10.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.0%
Black/African American 8.7%
Other/Mixed 7.7%
Hispanic/Latino 2.1%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
23.2%
This area
23.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.7%
This area
15.7%
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 46544

B Avg School Grade
10 Schools
15.6:1 Avg Class Size
$12,368 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Meadow's Edge Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
398 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,050 Per Student
B Good

Beiger Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
498 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,504 Per Student
B Good

Elm Road Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
515 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,050 Per Student
B Good

Emmons Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
469 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,504 Per Student
B Good

Fred J Hums Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,504 Per Student
B Good

Lasalle Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
494 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,504 Per Student
B Good

Virgil I Grissom Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
648 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,050 Per Student
B Good

Mishawaka High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,437 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$12,504 Per Student
B Good

Twin Branch Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
296 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,504 Per Student
C+ Average

Oaklawn Campus Program

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
44 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,504 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 1,262 Off-Campus Students
C
Bethel University
1,222 students · 5.1 mi
C+
Indiana University-South Bend
4,446 students · 5.5 mi
D
John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences
406 students · 7.0 mi
D
Ross Medical Education Center-Granger
115 students · 7.2 mi
A
University of Notre Dame
13,174 students · 7.9 mi
C
Holy Cross College
547 students · 8.2 mi
C+
Saint Mary's College
1,518 students · 8.7 mi
C
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
147 students · 8.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,262 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there empty rentals in Mishawaka, IN?

Rental vacancy in Mishawaka, IN is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What is the tenant pool like in Mishawaka, IN?

Mishawaka, IN offers a even-keeled renter base at the $1,292/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Where do home prices stand in Mishawaka, IN?

In Mishawaka, IN the median home value sits at $213K. Against the broader IN market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

What does house hacking look like in Mishawaka, IN?

Mishawaka, IN is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $213K price point reasonable to enter.

Does Mishawaka, IN favor landlords or tenants?

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

You know 46544 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 46544 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 46544 ranks in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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