Real Estate Investing in Saint Paul, Minnesota (55117)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 55117 (Saint Paul, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
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 Saint Paul, MN (55117)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 55117 Saint Paul
Turning to rents, ZIP 55117 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $305K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Rent of $1,342/mo on a $305K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 55117 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
From an investor standpoint, 55117 offers a low basis, the region around Saint Paul has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
A sturdy renter share of 40% in 55117 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Saint Paul:
Property Strategy for 55117
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $132,914 | $1,250 | 6.8% | +3.1% | $132,914 |
| 2BR | $226,628 | $1,520 | 4.8% | +3.5% | $113,314 |
| 3BR | $299,138 | $2,020 | 4.9% | +4.0% | $99,713 |
| 4BR | $357,784 | $2,270 | 4.6% | +4.2% | $89,446 |
| 5BR | $413,865 | — | — | +4.6% | $82,773 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 55117 Compare?
| Metric | 55117 | Saint Paul | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $305,109 | $262,186 | $340,597 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.5% | 1.7% | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,342 | $1,440 | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% | 3.9% | - |
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 55117 (Saint Paul, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $305,109 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,342 |
| Price-to-Rent | 19.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.3% |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -5.8% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.4% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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 55117
Population: 44,095
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 55117
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 3,974 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Paul, MN a good place for real estate investing?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, Saint Paul, MN ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $305K and rents of $1,342/mo drive the underlying numbers.
Is vacancy a concern in Saint Paul, MN?
Occupancy in Saint Paul, MN runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,342/mo lease on reasonable timelines.
Where do rents currently stand in Saint Paul, MN?
Expect rents around $1,342/mo per month in Saint Paul, MN. With home values at $305K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
Does house hacking work in Saint Paul, MN?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Saint Paul, MN reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
What is the best play in Saint Paul, MN?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Saint Paul, MN. The numbers - $305K homes against $1,342/mo rents - support that play.
You know 55117 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55117 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.
How 55117 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
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