Real Estate Investing in Iowa Falls, Iowa (50126)

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

Hardin County • Population: 6,362 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50126 (Iowa Falls, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Iowa Falls, IA (50126)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $159,596
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $60,313
% Renters 29.8%

Market Analysis: 50126 Iowa Falls

On the rental side, ZIP 50126 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $160K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 50126 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $160K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 50126 and stronger Iowa Falls ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 50126 ZIP's population of 6,362 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.95% as of Sep 17 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Iowa Falls:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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 50126

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+5.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$50,425/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $81,262 $780 6.9% $81,262
2BR $115,607 $1,020 6.4% +5.1% $57,804
3BR $156,380 $1,340 6.2% +4.9% $52,127
4BR $202,982 $1,500 5.3% +5.8% $50,745
5BR $252,126 $50,425

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$164K$151K$138K$126K$113K$100KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50126 Compare?

Metric 50126 Iowa Falls Iowa
Home Value $159,596 $159,596 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 4.0% 4.0% 6.0%
Avg Rent $918 $918 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 50126? 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 50126 (Iowa Falls, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $159,596
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 14.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 8.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 7.0%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (7.0%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
10.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50126

Population: 6,362

💰 Median Household Income
$60,313
This area
$60,313
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.8%
This area
29.8%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.3%
This area
21.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.1 years
This area
45.1 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.9%
This area
10.9%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.4%
Other/Mixed 3.4%
Hispanic/Latino 1.9%
Black/African American 0.6%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
15.7%
This area
15.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
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 50126

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$13,974 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Rock Run Elementary

📚 02 – 05 Elementary
👥
297 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,974 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Iowa Falls - Alden High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
420 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,974 Per Student
B Good

Pineview Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
278 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,974 Per Student
B Good

Riverbend Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
284 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,974 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

1 Nearby 5 Off-Campus Students
C
Ellsworth Community College
685 students · 1.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes affordable in Iowa Falls, IA?

Iowa Falls, IA home values average about $160K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $918/mo in monthly income.

How strong is Iowa Falls, IA for real estate investors?

Iowa Falls, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $160K and rents near $918/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Iowa Falls, IA?

Iowa Falls, IA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is Iowa Falls, IA good for landlords?

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

Is it easy to find good tenants in Iowa Falls, IA?

The renter base in Iowa Falls, IA is reasonable for the $918/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.

You know 50126 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50126 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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