Real Estate Investing in Hamilton, Iowa (50116)

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

Marion • Population: 185 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50116 (Hamilton, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Hamilton, IA (50116)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $186,166
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,000
% Renters 5.4%

Market Analysis: 50116 Hamilton

ZIP 50116 inside Marion looks affordable on the surface — median value of $186K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 50116 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $186K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 50116 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A substantial renter share of 5% in 50116 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 50116 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Hamilton:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$188K$182K$175K$169K$163K$156KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50116 Compare?

Metric 50116 Hamilton Iowa
Home Value $186,166 $186,166 $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $837 $837 -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50116 (Hamilton, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $186,166
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 18.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 7.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
9.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50116

Population: 185

💰 Median Household Income
$70,000
This area
$70,000
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
5.4%
This area
5.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.7 years
This area
35.7 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.4%
Other/Mixed 2.6%
👶 Under 18
29.8%
This area
29.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.8%
This area
18.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.7%
This area
3.7%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in Hamilton, IA?

Occupancy in Hamilton, IA runs measured with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $837/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What do rentals go for in Hamilton, IA?

Rental rates in Hamilton, IA average $837/mo. Tenant demand and $186K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Hamilton, IA?

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

Does house hacking make sense in Hamilton, IA?

House hacking in Hamilton, IA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $186K and rents of $837/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Does Hamilton, IA make sense for an investment property?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Hamilton, IA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $186K and rents of $837/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 50116 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50116 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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