Real Estate Investing in Holy Cross, Iowa (52053)

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

Dubuque • Population: 1,160 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52053 (Holy Cross, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GREAT FIT
Grade A (85/100)

Strong fundamentals — affordable, appreciating, and stable. A confident pick for primary residence.

📈 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
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 34.2 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Holy Cross, IA (52053)?

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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 $339,491
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $114,265
% Renters 22.3%

Market Analysis: 52053 Holy Cross

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Holy Cross's 52053 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $339K pricing implies.

The investment case in 52053 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $339K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Regionally, 52053 sits on the difficult end of the IA spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

A durable renter share of 22% in 52053 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The 52053 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.

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 Holy Cross:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+13.3%)
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)

$368K$328K$288K$248K$208K$168KFeb 2018May 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52053 Compare?

Metric 52053 Holy Cross Iowa
Home Value $339,491 $339,491 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 7.9% 7.9% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 1.9% 1.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 52053? 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 52053 (Holy Cross, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $339,491
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 34.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.9%
Cap Rate 1.9%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +13.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.9%). 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
1.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52053

Population: 1,160

💰 Median Household Income
$114,265
This area
$114,265
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.3%
This area
22.3%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.6%
This area
0.6%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.0%
This area
22.0%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.5 years
This area
34.5 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.8%
Other/Mixed 4.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.9%
This area
21.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.6%
This area
0.6%
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

2 Nearby
B
Divine Word College
61 students · 11.5 mi
C+
Emmaus Bible College
197 students · 14.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is the working-renter base in Holy Cross, IA?

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

Is real estate in Holy Cross, IA a good investment right now?

Holy Cross, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $339K and rents near $828/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Where do home prices stand in Holy Cross, IA?

Holy Cross, IA home values average about $339K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $828/mo in monthly income.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Holy Cross, IA?

Vacancy risk in Holy Cross, IA is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does Holy Cross, IA favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Holy Cross, IA deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

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