Real Estate Investing in Thompson, Iowa (50478)

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

Winnebago County • Population: 689 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 50478 (Thompson, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 15.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Thompson, IA (50478)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $94,331
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $49,079
% Renters 19.0%

Market Analysis: 50478 Thompson

Investors eyeing 50478 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $94K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Meanwhile, the numbers look inviting — $94K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 50478 is substantial and deserves full respect.

ZIP 50478's metrics run below Winnebago County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 50478 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

New investors are better served looking at Thompson's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 50478. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Thompson:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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)

$119K$113K$106K$99K$92K$85KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 50478 Compare?

Metric 50478 Thompson Iowa
Home Value $94,331 $94,331 $227,232
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 6.9% 6.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 50478? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 50478 (Thompson, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.9%
Good

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $94,331
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 9.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.5%
Cap Rate 6.9%
5-Year IRR 2.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR -4.7% ▼
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
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.9%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
15.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 50478

Population: 689

💰 Median Household Income
$49,079
This area
$49,079
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.0%
This area
19.0%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
31.0%
This area
31.0%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.7 years
This area
55.7 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.1%
Other/Mixed 10.0%
Hispanic/Latino 9.0%
👶 Under 18
17.5%
This area
17.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
33.1%
This area
33.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.0%
This area
6.0%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
D
Waldorf University
2,657 students · 12.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What investment strategy works best in Thompson, IA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Thompson, IA. The numbers - $94K homes against $828/mo rents - support that play.

Are tenants stable in Thompson, IA?

Tenant demand in Thompson, IA is solid. The local workforce $828/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is vacancy a concern in Thompson, IA?

Thompson, IA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader IA rental market.

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

The median home value in Thompson, IA is roughly $94K. That puts it reasonable relative to the IA statewide average.

How strong is Thompson, IA for real estate investors?

Thompson, IA sits at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $94K and average rents around $828/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

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