Real Estate Investing in Ankeny, Iowa (50023)

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

Polk County • Population: 45,286 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50023 (Ankeny, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

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 Ankeny, IA (50023)?

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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 $357,414
Avg Monthly Rent $1,506
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $109,044
% Renters 29.2%

Market Analysis: 50023 Ankeny

The 50023 ZIP covers a section of Ankeny that demands careful diligence. Prices near $357K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 50023 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

ZIP 50023's metrics run below Polk County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 50023 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 50023, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Ankeny:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,506/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
62 days
Average time to sell
Slow
11.0%
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 50023

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$102,025/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $216,691 $1,440 4.8% +5.9% $108,345
3BR $321,260 $1,960 4.4% +5.6% $107,087
4BR $408,203 $2,010 3.5% +5.4% $102,051
5BR $510,127 +5.6% $102,025

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$373K$333K$292K$252K$211K$171KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,554$1,480$1,405$1,331$1,256$1,182Dec 2020Oct 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50023 Compare?

Metric 50023 Ankeny Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Iowa
Home Value $357,414 $339,137 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 3.9% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $1,506 $1,534 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 50023? 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 50023 (Ankeny, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $357,414
Monthly Rent $1,506
Price-to-Rent 19.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
4.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50023

Population: 45,286

💰 Median Household Income
$109,044
This area
$109,044
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.2%
This area
29.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
56.3%
This area
56.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.4 years
This area
32.4 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.0%
Other/Mixed 5.0%
Asian 2.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.3%
Black/African American 1.1%
👶 Under 18
28.7%
This area
28.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.4%
This area
10.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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 50023

B+ Avg School Grade
14 Schools
15.4:1 Avg Class Size
$14,014 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Northwest Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
346 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
A Very Good

Crocker Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
514 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
A Very Good

Heritage Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
599 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
A Very Good

Rock Creek Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
733 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
A Very Good

Westwood Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
615 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Parkview Middle School

📚 06 – 07 Middle
👥
875 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Ashland Ridge Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
768 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Prairie Trail Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
542 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Northview Middle School

📚 08 – 09 High School
👥
1,021 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Prairie Ridge Middle School

📚 06 – 07 Middle
👥
1,008 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Southview Middle School

📚 08 – 09 High School
👥
881 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B Good

Ankeny Centennial High School

📚 10 – 12 High School
👥
1,466 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B Good

Ankeny High School

📚 10 – 12 High School
👥
1,346 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 Per Student
B Good

Terrace Learning Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
355 Students
👨‍🏫
21.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,014 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 13,258 Off-Campus Students
C+
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
586 students · 0.8 mi
C+
Des Moines Area Community College
24,418 students · 1.8 mi
D
La James International College-Johnston
113 students · 7.1 mi
C
Grand View University
1,796 students · 7.6 mi
C
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines
74 students · 8.2 mi
C
Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School
36 students · 8.5 mi
C+
Drake University
4,504 students · 8.8 mi
D
Mercy College of Health Sciences
907 students · 9.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 13,258 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How qualified is the tenant pool in Ankeny, IA?

The tenant pool in Ankeny, IA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,506/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Ankeny, IA?

For house hackers, Ankeny, IA is a challenging. The $1,506/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $357K property.

What are home prices like in Ankeny, IA?

The median home value in Ankeny, IA is roughly $357K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IA statewide average.

Is Ankeny, IA a friendly market for rental owners?

Ankeny, IA falls under IA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Is Ankeny, IA a good place for real estate investing?

Ankeny, IA registers an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $357K and average rents around $1,506/mo. That combination puts it in the substantial tier for investor interest.

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How 50023 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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