Real Estate Investing in Marion, Iowa (52302)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52302 (Marion, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Marion, IA (52302)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 52302 Marion
This part of Linn County is not an easy win. The 52302 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
The investment case in 52302 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $280K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
ZIP 52302's metrics run below Linn County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
The 52302 ZIP's population of 42,732 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 52302, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Marion:
Property Strategy for 52302
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $186,262 | $1,040 | 4.0% | +5.5% | $93,131 |
| 3BR | $251,826 | $1,450 | 4.1% | +5.6% | $83,942 |
| 4BR | $342,832 | $1,740 | 3.7% | +5.2% | $85,708 |
| 5BR | $460,698 | — | — | +4.8% | $92,140 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52302 Compare?
| Metric | 52302 | Marion | Cedar Rapids, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $280,170 | $280,170 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.9% | 4.9% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $1,304 | $1,304 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.6% | 3.6% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52302 (Marion, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $280,170 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,304 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.6% |
| Cap Rate | 3.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +43.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +17.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +13.0% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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.
Demographics in 52302
Population: 42,732
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 52302
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 8,317 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Marion, IA stack up for property investment?
Our data puts Marion, IA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $280K and rents around $1,304/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
How much is rent in Marion, IA?
Rent in Marion, IA is around $1,304/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $280K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
What is the best play in Marion, IA?
In Marion, IA the healthy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $280K prices and $1,304/mo rents suits that approach.
Is Marion, IA good for house hacking?
For house hackers, Marion, IA is a challenging. The $1,304/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $280K property.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Marion, IA?
Marion, IA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
You know 52302 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 52302 ranks in Cedar Rapids, IA
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