Real Estate Investing in Mendota Heights, Minnesota (55120)

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

Dakota County • Population: 5,080 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55120 (Mendota Heights, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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 Mendota Heights, MN (55120)?

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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 $520,029
Avg Monthly Rent $2,218
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $105,125
% Renters 35.4%

Market Analysis: 55120 Mendota Heights

Meanwhile, ZIP 55120 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $520K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $2,218/mo on a $520K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 55120 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader MN picture, 55120 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 55120 ZIP's population of 5,080 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that registers the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 55120, 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 Mendota Heights:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,218/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 55120

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$130,089/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $260,177 $1,520 4.2% +4.7% $130,089
3BR $436,043 $2,020 3.3% +4.3% $145,348
4BR $617,621 $2,270 2.6% +5.6% $154,405
5BR $708,623 +5.6% $141,725

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$545K$480K$415K$350K$286K$221KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,220$2,214$2,207$2,201$2,195$2,189May 2026Jun 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55120 Compare?

Metric 55120 Mendota Heights Minnesota
Home Value $520,029 $520,029 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 2.8% 2.8% 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,218 $2,218 -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 55120? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 35% 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 55120 (Mendota Heights, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $520,029
Monthly Rent $2,218
Price-to-Rent 19.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 6.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). 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
0.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55120

Population: 5,080

💰 Median Household Income
$105,125
This area
$105,125
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.4%
This area
35.4%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.5%
This area
0.5%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
59.4%
This area
59.4%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.1 years
This area
41.1 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.7%
Other/Mixed 20.1%
Asian 6.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Black/African American 1.2%
👶 Under 18
23.9%
This area
23.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.8%
This area
18.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
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 55120

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
20.3:1 Avg Class Size
$20,582 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

FRIENDLY HILLS MIDDLE

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
740 Students
👨‍🏫
20.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,582 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

EXPO FOR EXCELLENCE ELEMENTARY SCH

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

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1700 SAUNDERS AVE, SAINT PAUL
👥
354 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A Very Good

ACADEMIC ARTS HIGH SCHOOL

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
📍 60 E MARIE AVE STE #220, WEST SAINT PAUL
👥
103 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$23,266 Per Student
A Very Good

HORACE MANN SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2001 ELEANOR AVE, SAINT PAUL
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 Per Student
A Very Good

JIE MING MANDARIN IMMERSION ACADEMY

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1845 SHERIDAN AVE W, SAINT PAUL
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$24,161 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 3,503 Off-Campus Students
C
St Catherine University
3,533 students · 4.0 mi
B+
Macalester College
2,142 students · 4.7 mi
C
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
1,217 students · 4.8 mi
C+
University of St Thomas
9,121 students · 5.3 mi
C
Concordia University-Saint Paul
5,854 students · 5.3 mi
C
Inver Hills Community College
3,689 students · 5.5 mi
C
Saint Paul College
5,155 students · 5.6 mi
D
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Office
0 students · 5.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,503 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Mendota Heights, MN?

Mendota Heights, MN rentals go for roughly $2,218/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $520K acquisition costs.

How much does a house cost in Mendota Heights, MN?

Homes in Mendota Heights, MN typically sell near $520K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.

How do experienced investors play Mendota Heights, MN?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Mendota Heights, MN. The numbers - $520K homes against $2,218/mo rents - support that play.

Is rental property easy to operate in Mendota Heights, MN?

The landlord environment in Mendota Heights, MN is balanced. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Should investors consider Mendota Heights, MN?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Mendota Heights, MN ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $520K and rents of $2,218/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 55120 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55120 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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How 55120 ranks in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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