Real Estate Investing in Tama, Iowa (52339)

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

Tama County • Population: 4,311 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 52339 (Tama, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (78/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 8.8% 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 Tama, IA (52339)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $142,886
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,911
% Renters 36.1%

Market Analysis: 52339 Tama

Investors eyeing 52339 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $143K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 52339 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $143K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Tama have seen price recovery that 52339 has not matched. Tama County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A healthy renter share of 36% in 52339 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 52339, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Tama:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.2%)
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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 52339

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
6.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$35,076/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $102,284 $920 6.5% +6.8% $51,142
3BR $150,462 $1,150 5.5% +7.2% $50,154
4BR $140,305 $1,300 6.7% +6.8% $35,076

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$152K$135K$119K$102K$86K$69KFeb 2015Nov 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 52339 Compare?

Metric 52339 Tama Iowa
Home Value $142,886 $142,886 $227,232
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% 6.0%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 52339? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 52339 (Tama, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 52339 (Tama, IA)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $142,886
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
8.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 52339

Population: 4,311

💰 Median Household Income
$58,911
This area
$58,911
State
$71,886
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.1%
This area
36.1%
State
19.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
State
0.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.1%
This area
11.1%
State
18.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.6 years
This area
34.6 years
State
40.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.8%
This area
8.8%
State
11.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 57.4%
Other/Mixed 40.6%
Hispanic/Latino 16.7%
Black/African American 1.9%
👶 Under 18
29.5%
This area
29.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.4%
This area
17.4%
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 52339

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.1:1 Avg Class Size
$14,888 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

South Tama County Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
543 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,888 Per Student
B+ Above Average

South Tama County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
448 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,888 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Meskwaki Settlement School

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
292 Students
👨‍🏫
6.0:1 Class Size
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
B+
Grinnell College
1,775 students · 14.1 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How do home values compare in Tama, IA?

Median home price in Tama, IA is near $143K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been consistent and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

How much rent can I charge in Tama, IA?

Average rent in Tama, IA is approximately $828/mo per month. Against $143K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What is the renter demographic in Tama, IA?

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

Is Tama in IA worth investing in?

Tama, IA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $143K and rents near $828/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Which investment style suits Tama, IA?

Most investors in Tama, IA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 52339 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 52339 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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