Real Estate Investing in Ames, Iowa (50014)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50014 (Ames, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
What’s happening in Ames, IA (50014)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 50014 Ames
ZIP 50014 in Ames, IA carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $317K and rents of $1,109/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
The 50014 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
Within IA, ZIP 50014 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Story County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.
Employment concentration in 50014 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 50014, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Ames:
Property Strategy for 50014
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $173,043 | $1,310 | 5.5% | +5.7% | $86,522 |
| 3BR | $280,395 | $1,820 | 4.7% | +5.4% | $93,465 |
| 4BR | $344,171 | $2,190 | 4.6% | +5.7% | $86,043 |
| 5BR | $493,909 | — | — | +5.8% | $98,782 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50014 Compare?
| Metric | 50014 | Ames | Ames, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $317,302 | $123,326 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 7.1% | 5.8% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $1,109 | $1,161 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% | 2.9% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50014 (Ames, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $317,302 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,109 |
| Price-to-Rent | 23.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.2% |
| Cap Rate | 2.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +21.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -2.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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.
Demographics in 50014
Population: 31,429
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 50014
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 2,052 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tenants pay in Ames, IA?
Rental rates in Ames, IA average $1,109/mo. Tenant demand and $317K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
What is the renter demographic in Ames, IA?
Expect a solid tenant pool in Ames, IA. The rental market absorbs $1,109/mo rents without meaningful friction.
What is the median home value in Ames, IA?
Median home price in Ames, IA is near $317K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
Are landlord laws favorable in Ames, IA?
IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Ames inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
Which investment style suits Ames, IA?
Ames, IA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($317K prices, $1,109/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
You know 50014 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50014 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.
How 50014 ranks in Ames, IA
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