Real Estate Investing in Saint Paul, Minnesota (55116)

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

Ramsey County • Population: 26,099 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55116 (Saint Paul, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Saint Paul, MN (55116)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $464,388
Avg Monthly Rent $1,564
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,683
% Renters 49.8%

Market Analysis: 55116 Saint Paul

This part of Ramsey County is not an easy win. The 55116 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 55116 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

The gap between 55116 and stronger Saint Paul ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 55116 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

New investors are better served looking at Saint Paul's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 55116. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Saint Paul:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,564/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 55116

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$144,921/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $180,546 $1,410 5.6% +2.6% $180,546
2BR $304,422 $1,720 4.1% +3.1% $152,211
3BR $434,764 $2,280 3.8% +3.5% $144,921
4BR $582,352 $2,550 3.2% +3.9% $145,588
5BR $772,557 +4.7% $154,511

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$485K$433K$381K$329K$277K$225KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,658$1,618$1,579$1,540$1,500$1,461Oct 2022Sep 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55116 Compare?

Metric 55116 Saint Paul Minnesota
Home Value $464,388 $262,186 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 3.0% 1.7% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,564 $1,440 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 3.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 55116? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 50% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 55116 (Saint Paul, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Ramsey County

Manage rentals here? List your business →
Property Care
Roseville, MN

Property Care provides HOA Management services. summary from their website

HOA
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Simply Residential Property Management offers expert management of single-family, condominiums, and multi-family dwellings throughout the Twin Cities. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Spire Community Management provides HOA management services in Minnesota, with a local phone number for the state. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $464,388
Monthly Rent $1,564
Price-to-Rent 24.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 5.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -3.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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.

Vacancy
4.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55116

Population: 26,099

💰 Median Household Income
$75,683
This area
$75,683
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
49.8%
This area
49.8%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
58.5%
This area
58.5%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.8 years
This area
39.8 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.2%
Black/African American 14.0%
Other/Mixed 8.8%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Asian 2.9%
👶 Under 18
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
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 55116

A Avg School Grade
9 Schools
14.7:1 Avg Class Size
$23,226 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

EXPO FOR EXCELLENCE ELEMENTARY SCH

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A+ Excellent

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
354 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A Very Good

HORACE MANN SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A Very Good

JIE MING MANDARIN IMMERSION ACADEMY

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A Very Good

HIGHLAND PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
773 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Urban Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Charter
👥
441 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,743 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Early Ed Highland

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
16 Students
👨‍🏫
8.0:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
B Good

HIGHLAND PARK SENIOR HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,456 Students
👨‍🏫
23.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
B Good

EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION SERV

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
💰
$24,161 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Global Arts Plus Lower

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 1023 OSCEOLA AVE, SAINT PAUL
👥
393 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A+ Excellent

ADAMS MAGNET ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 615 CHATSWORTH ST S, SAINT PAUL
👥
579 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Global Arts Plus Upper

📚 05 – 08 School
📍 810 PALACE AVE, SAINT PAUL
👥
426 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A+ Excellent

GROVELAND PARK ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2045 ST CLAIR AVE, SAINT PAUL
👥
395 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A Very Good

LAURA JEFFREY ACADEMY CHARTER

📚 05 – 08 School Charter
📍 1550 SUMMIT AVE, SAINT PAUL
👥
113 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$29,737 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

8 Nearby 2,257 Off-Campus Students
C
St Catherine University
3,533 students · 1.2 mi
B+
Macalester College
2,142 students · 2.0 mi
C+
University of St Thomas
9,121 students · 2.5 mi
C
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
1,217 students · 2.7 mi
C
Concordia University-Saint Paul
5,854 students · 2.8 mi
C
Hamline University
2,432 students · 3.9 mi
D
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
244 students · 4.0 mi
C
Saint Paul College
5,155 students · 4.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,257 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Saint Paul, MN for real estate investors?

Our data puts Saint Paul, MN at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $464K and rents around $1,564/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Is vacancy a concern in Saint Paul, MN?

Occupancy in Saint Paul, MN runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,564/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Which real estate strategy fits Saint Paul, MN?

Saint Paul, MN investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($464K prices, $1,564/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Can I house hack in Saint Paul, MN?

House hacking in Saint Paul, MN is a challenging. With home values around $464K and rents at $1,564/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What is the average monthly rent in Saint Paul, MN?

Investors in Saint Paul, MN typically see rents near $1,564/mo per month against $464K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 55116 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 55116 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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