Real Estate Investing in Monticello, Iowa (52310)

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

Jones County • Population: 6,384 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52310 (Monticello, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

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: 8.4% 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 Monticello, IA (52310)?

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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 $243,243
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,028
% Renters 22.2%

Market Analysis: 52310 Monticello

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Monticello's 52310 ZIP clocks in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $243K pricing implies.

The 52310 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 52310's metrics run below Jones County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 52310 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.

Strategy in 52310 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $243K 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 Monticello:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 79/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+11.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Cedar Rapids, IA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
41 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.2%
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 Cedar Rapids, IA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 52310

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$68,581/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $156,121 $920 4.2% +7.1% $78,060
3BR $221,919 $1,260 4.1% +7.0% $73,973
4BR $279,294 $1,510 3.9% +7.8% $69,824
5BR $342,907 +7.5% $68,581

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$253K$224K$194K$165K$135K$106KJul 2010Jul 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52310 Compare?

Metric 52310 Monticello Cedar Rapids, IA Iowa
Home Value $243,243 $243,243 N/A $227,232
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 7.1% N/A 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 52310? 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 52310 (Monticello, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Cedar Rapids, IA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
46%
Days Pending
1/2
41 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $243,243
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 24.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +11.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
8.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52310

Population: 6,384

💰 Median Household Income
$70,028
This area
$70,028
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.2%
This area
22.2%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.5%
This area
27.5%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.4 years
This area
45.4 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.6%
Other/Mixed 4.8%
Black/African American 1.5%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.5%
This area
21.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
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

🎓 Schools in 52310

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
13.5:1 Avg Class Size
$14,734 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Monticello High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
337 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,734 Per Student
A Very Good

Monticello Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
316 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,734 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Carpenter Elementary School

📚 02 – 04 Elementary
👥
204 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,734 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Shannon Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 01 Elementary
👥
159 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,734 Per Student
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

1 Nearby
C+
Carlson College of Massage Therapy
19 students · 11.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What monthly rent should investors expect in Monticello, IA?

Rental rates in Monticello, IA average $828/mo. Tenant demand and $243K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How expensive is real estate in Monticello, IA?

Median home price in Monticello, IA is near $243K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Monticello, IA?

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

Is IA a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Monticello, IA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

How does Monticello, IA stack up for property investment?

Yes - Monticello, IA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $243K home prices against $828/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

You know 52310 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52310 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.

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How 52310 ranks in Cedar Rapids, IA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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