Real Estate Investing in Hugo, Minnesota (55038)

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

Washington County • Population: 24,246 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55038 (Hugo, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Hugo, MN (55038)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $460,252
Avg Monthly Rent $2,470
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $122,099
% Renters 10.5%

Market Analysis: 55038 Hugo

ZIP 55038 in Hugo, MN carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $460K and rents of $2,470/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 55038 comes in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader MN picture, 55038 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 55038 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Hugo averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Hugo:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,470/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 55038

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$118,633/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $279,975 $2,200 5.7% +4.3% $139,987
3BR $401,892 $2,910 5.2% +4.5% $133,964
4BR $526,548 $3,260 4.5% +5.0% $131,637
5BR $593,166 +5.2% $118,633

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$480K$422K$364K$305K$247K$188KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,515$2,386$2,256$2,127$1,997$1,868Sep 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55038 Compare?

Metric 55038 Hugo Minnesota
Home Value $460,252 $460,252 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 2.7% 2.7% 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,470 $2,470 -
Cap Rate 4.2% 4.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 55038? 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 55038 (Hugo, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $460,252
Monthly Rent $2,470
Price-to-Rent 15.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.4%
Cap Rate 4.2%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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
1.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55038

Population: 24,246

💰 Median Household Income
$122,099
This area
$122,099
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.5%
This area
10.5%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
44.9%
This area
44.9%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.1 years
This area
38.1 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.1%
Asian 4.3%
Other/Mixed 2.9%
Black/African American 1.8%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
👶 Under 18
25.3%
This area
25.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.3%
This area
13.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.3%
This area
0.3%
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 55038

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$30,272 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

ONEKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
423 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$34,074 Per Student
A Very Good

North Star Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
476 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$34,074 Per Student
B+ Above Average

WHITE BEAR TRANSITION PLUS PROGRAM

📚 10 – 12 High School
👥
42 Students
👨‍🏫
6.3:1 Class Size
💰
$34,074 Per Student
B+ Above Average

CENTERVILLE ELEMENTARY

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
569 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,066 Per Student
B Good

AWARE

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$34,074 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

6 Nearby 2,416 Off-Campus Students
C
Century College
8,248 students · 8.8 mi
C+
The Salon Professional Academy Maplewood
73 students · 9.6 mi
C+
Bethel University
3,521 students · 11.7 mi
C
University of Northwestern-St Paul
3,262 students · 13.1 mi
C
American Academy of Health and Wellness
29 students · 14.1 mi
D
Empire Beauty School-Spring Lake Park
80 students · 14.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,416 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Hugo, MN a good investment right now?

Hugo, MN scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $460K and rents near $2,470/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Where do home prices stand in Hugo, MN?

Hugo, MN home values average about $460K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,470/mo in monthly income.

What strategy should investors use in Hugo, MN?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Hugo, MN. With home values at $460K and rents near $2,470/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.

How high is vacancy risk in Hugo, MN?

Vacancy risk in Hugo, MN is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.

What does house hacking look like in Hugo, MN?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Hugo, MN reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 55038 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 55038 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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