Real Estate Investing in Polk City, Iowa (50226)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 50226 (Polk City, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Polk City, IA (50226)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 50226 Polk City
The 50226 ZIP in Polk City, IA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $429K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
Rent of $1,716/mo on a $429K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 50226 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Meanwhile, 50226 offers a low basis, the region around Polk City has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
Demographically, 50226 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.
The 50226 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Polk City:
Property Strategy for 50226
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $273,730 | $1,030 | 2.7% | +3.9% | $136,865 |
| 3BR | $366,281 | $1,400 | 2.8% | +5.7% | $122,094 |
| 4BR | $487,824 | $1,440 | 2.1% | +5.9% | $121,956 |
| 5BR | $618,312 | — | — | +5.7% | $123,662 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 50226 Compare?
| Metric | 50226 | Polk City | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $429,167 | $429,167 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.1% | 4.1% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $1,716 | $1,716 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% | 3.1% | - | - |
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 50226 (Polk City, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 50226 (Polk City, IA)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $429,167 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,716 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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 50226
Population: 7,290
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 50226
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 13,258 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do experienced investors play Polk City, IA?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Polk City, IA. The numbers - $429K homes against $1,716/mo rents - support that play.
What kind of tenants rent in Polk City, IA?
Polk City, IA offers a even-keeled renter base at the $1,716/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
What is the investability score for Polk City, IA?
Yes - Polk City, IA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $429K home prices against $1,716/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.
Is rental property easy to operate in Polk City, IA?
Landlord-friendliness in Polk City, IA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
What are vacancy rates like in Polk City, IA?
Vacancy in Polk City, IA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,716/mo.
You know 50226 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 50226 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 50226 ranks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 50226 (Polk City)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 50226 (Polk City, IA).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.