Real Estate Investing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (52402)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 52402 (Cedar Rapids, IA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
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 Cedar Rapids, IA (52402)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 52402 Cedar Rapids
The 52402 ZIP covers a section of Cedar Rapids that demands careful diligence. Prices near $207K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
For an experienced owner, 52402 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $207K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
ZIP 52402'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.
Resident income in 52402 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategically, 52402 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Cedar Rapids:
Property Strategy for 52402
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $79,989 | $860 | 7.7% | — | $79,989 |
| 2BR | $145,009 | $1,130 | 5.6% | +5.8% | $72,504 |
| 3BR | $202,745 | $1,570 | 5.6% | +6.2% | $67,582 |
| 4BR | $286,678 | $1,900 | 4.8% | +6.1% | $71,669 |
| 5BR | $330,098 | — | — | +5.8% | $66,020 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 52402 Compare?
| Metric | 52402 | Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids, IA | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $206,932 | $129,305 | N/A | $227,232 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.2% | 5.0% | N/A | 6.0% |
| Avg Rent | $1,304 | $1,234 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | - | - |
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 52402 (Cedar Rapids, IA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $206,932 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,304 |
| Price-to-Rent | 13.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 7.6% |
| Cap Rate | 4.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +13.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.8% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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.
Demographics in 52402
Population: 43,076
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 52402
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (2 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Nixon Elementary School
Hiawatha Elementary School
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
Where do home prices stand in Cedar Rapids, IA?
In Cedar Rapids, IA the median home value sits at $207K. Against the broader IA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
Is Cedar Rapids, IA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Cedar Rapids, IA. With home values at $207K and rents near $1,304/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.
What monthly rent should investors expect in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Expect rents around $1,304/mo per month in Cedar Rapids, IA. With home values at $207K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
What kind of market is Cedar Rapids, IA for investors?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Cedar Rapids, IA reflects its $207K prices and $1,304/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within IA.
What is it like being a landlord in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Cedar Rapids, IA operates under IA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
You know 52402 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 52402 ranks in Cedar Rapids, IA
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