Real Estate Investing in Norway, Michigan (49870)

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

Dickinson County • Population: 3,479 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 49870 (Norway, MI)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 15.1% 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 Norway, MI (49870)?

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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 $169,024
Avg Monthly Rent $882
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,429
% Renters 22.4%

Market Analysis: 49870 Norway

ZIP 49870 in Norway, MI carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $169K and rents of $882/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Rent of $882/mo on a $169K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 49870 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Nearby ZIPs in Norway have seen price recovery that 49870 has not matched. Dickinson County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 49870 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategically, 49870 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Norway:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $882/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Iron Mountain, MI-WI Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
5.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Iron Mountain, MI-WI metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$179K$158K$137K$117K$96K$76KMay 2013Dec 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 49870 Compare?

Metric 49870 Norway Iron Mountain, MI-WI Michigan
Home Value $169,024 $169,024 N/A $253,279
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% N/A 6.8%
Avg Rent $882 $882 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 49870? 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 49870 (Norway, MI). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $169,024
Monthly Rent $882
Price-to-Rent 16.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 10.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
15.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 49870

Population: 3,479

💰 Median Household Income
$56,429
This area
$56,429
State
$68,013
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
19.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
-2.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.8%
This area
20.8%
State
16.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.4 years
This area
45.4 years
State
36.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.1%
This area
15.1%
State
20.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.3%
Other/Mixed 4.5%
Hispanic/Latino 3.6%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.7%
This area
9.7%
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 49870

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
16.1:1 Avg Class Size
$13,565 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Norway Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,565 Per Student
B Good

Vulcan Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
139 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,565 Per Student
C+ Average

Norway High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
173 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,565 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

Is Norway, MI a friendly market for rental owners?

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

What is the tenant pool like in Norway, MI?

The tenant pool in Norway, MI is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $882/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What is the investability score for Norway, MI?

Yes - Norway, MI a 3.0/5 investability score. With $169K home prices against $882/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Norway, MI?

Average rent in Norway, MI is approximately $882/mo per month. Against $169K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What are home prices like in Norway, MI?

Median home price in Norway, MI is near $169K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been measured and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

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How 49870 ranks in Iron Mountain, MI-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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