Real Estate Investing in Ainsworth, Iowa (52201)

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

Washington County • Population: 1,359 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52201 (Ainsworth, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.3 — 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 Ainsworth, IA (52201)?

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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 $251,776
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $96,563
% Renters 20.8%

Market Analysis: 52201 Ainsworth

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Ainsworth's 52201 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $252K pricing implies.

The investment case in 52201 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $252K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 52201 among IA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 52201 ZIP's population of 1,359 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 52201 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $252K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Ainsworth:

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 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Iowa City, IA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Iowa City, IA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$260K$237K$214K$191K$168K$144KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52201 Compare?

Metric 52201 Ainsworth Iowa City, IA Iowa
Home Value $251,776 $251,776 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.8% 6.8% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 52201? 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 52201 (Ainsworth, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.8%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Iowa City, IA metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
53%
Days Pending
1/2
49 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $251,776
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 25.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 9.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
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: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
6.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52201

Population: 1,359

💰 Median Household Income
$96,563
This area
$96,563
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.8%
This area
20.8%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.2%
This area
0.2%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
17.6%
This area
17.6%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.4 years
This area
41.4 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.4%
Other/Mixed 13.6%
Hispanic/Latino 11.6%
👶 Under 18
22.7%
This area
22.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.2%
This area
16.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
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

What is the median home value in Ainsworth, IA?

Typical homes in Ainsworth, IA go for around $252K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

How deep is the rental pool in Ainsworth, IA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Ainsworth, IA. The rental market absorbs $828/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Ainsworth, IA landlord-friendly?

IA ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Ainsworth generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

What do landlords charge for rent in Ainsworth, IA?

Rent in Ainsworth, IA is around $828/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $252K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Ainsworth, IA?

Occupancy in Ainsworth, IA runs stable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $828/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

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How 52201 ranks in Iowa City, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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