Real Estate Investing in Murray, Iowa (50174)

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

Clarke County • Population: 1,312 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50174 (Murray, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (79/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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.

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

What’s happening in Murray, IA (50174)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $174,875
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,434
% Renters 14.0%

Market Analysis: 50174 Murray

ZIP 50174 inside Clarke County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $175K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Rent of $873/mo on a $175K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 50174 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 50174 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A robust renter share of 14% in 50174 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 50174 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 Murray:

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 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/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 50174

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.6% cap rate
Best Overall Value
2BR
$52,527/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $105,054 $970 6.6% $52,527
3BR $185,807 $1,290 5.0% $61,936
4BR $212,050 $1,300 4.4% $53,012

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$182K$162K$143K$124K$105K$85KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50174 Compare?

Metric 50174 Murray Iowa
Home Value $174,875 $174,875 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.3% 6.3% 6.0%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 50174? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50174 (Murray, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $174,875
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 16.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.0%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
6.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50174

Population: 1,312

💰 Median Household Income
$62,434
This area
$62,434
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.0%
This area
14.0%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.5%
This area
17.5%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.3 years
This area
32.3 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.4%
Other/Mixed 5.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.3%
Asian 0.4%
Black/African American 0.1%
👶 Under 18
33.3%
This area
33.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.3%
This area
16.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.9%
This area
11.9%
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 50174

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$13,616 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Murray Jr/Sr High

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
154 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,616 Per Student
B Good

Murray Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
163 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,616 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 it easy to find good tenants in Murray, IA?

Tenant demand in Murray, IA is solid. The local workforce $873/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is Murray, IA landlord-friendly?

IA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Murray inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Murray, IA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Murray, IA. Rents at $873/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What is the typical rental rate in Murray, IA?

The typical rental in Murray, IA commands about $873/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $175K purchase basis.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Murray, IA?

Expect median prices around $175K in Murray, IA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

You know 50174 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50174 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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