Real Estate Investing in Manilla, Iowa (51454)

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

Crawford County • Population: 1,399 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 51454 (Manilla, 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.3% 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 Manilla, IA (51454)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $169,732
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $93,884
% Renters 18.4%

Market Analysis: 51454 Manilla

Investors eyeing 51454 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $170K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

For an experienced owner, 51454 can be a a strong candidate for hunting ground — but the discount at $170K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within IA, ZIP 51454 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Crawford County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 51454 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 51454 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Manilla:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.5%)
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: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
🏠

Property Strategy for 51454

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$46,919/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $93,948 $920 7.1% +8.3% $46,974
3BR $159,779 $1,220 5.5% +9.5% $53,260
4BR $187,677 $1,430 5.5% +8.8% $46,919

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$177K$156K$135K$114K$92K$71KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 51454 Compare?

Metric 51454 Manilla Iowa
Home Value $169,732 $169,732 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 9.8% 9.8% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 51454? 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 51454 (Manilla, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+9.8%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $169,732
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 17.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 13.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +9.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
11.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+9.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 51454

Population: 1,399

💰 Median Household Income
$93,884
This area
$93,884
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.4 years
This area
38.4 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.8%
Other/Mixed 3.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.6%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
27.3%
This area
27.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
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

Where do rents currently stand in Manilla, IA?

The typical rental in Manilla, IA commands about $828/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $170K purchase basis.

Which real estate strategy fits Manilla, IA?

The best-fit strategy in Manilla, IA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Does Manilla, IA make sense for an investment property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Manilla, IA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $170K and rents of $828/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Are homes affordable in Manilla, IA?

Manilla, IA home values average about $170K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $828/mo in monthly income.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Manilla, IA?

House hacking in Manilla, IA is a challenging. With home values around $170K and rents at $828/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 51454 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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