Real Estate Investing in Grand Marais, Minnesota (55604)

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

Cook County • Population: 3,613 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 55604 (Grand Marais, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 49.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 38.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Grand Marais, MN (55604)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $426,383
Avg Monthly Rent $918
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $76,375
% Renters 21.0%

Market Analysis: 55604 Grand Marais

The 55604 ZIP covers a section of Grand Marais that demands careful diligence. Prices near $426K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 55604 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $426K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 55604's metrics run below Cook County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 55604 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Grand Marais averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

looks to 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 Grand Marais:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 65/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $918/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 55604

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$154,202/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $318,729 $930 2.1% $318,729
2BR $400,380 $1,020 1.8% +9.0% $200,190
3BR $462,607 $1,350 2.1% +8.7% $154,202

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$447K$395K$342K$290K$238K$185KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55604 Compare?

Metric 55604 Grand Marais Minnesota
Home Value $426,383 $426,383 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% 4.9%
Avg Rent $918 $918 -
Cap Rate 1.7% 1.7% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 55604? 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 55604 (Grand Marais, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $426,383
Monthly Rent $918
Price-to-Rent 38.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.6%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 8.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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
49.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55604

Population: 3,613

💰 Median Household Income
$76,375
This area
$76,375
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.0%
This area
21.0%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
50.3%
This area
50.3%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.5 years
This area
52.5 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
49.1%
This area
49.1%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.2%
Other/Mixed 5.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
15.7%
This area
15.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
30.1%
This area
30.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
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 55604

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
10.6:1 Avg Class Size
$20,184 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

COOK COUNTY SENIOR HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
173 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,439 Per Student
A+ Excellent

SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
192 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$21,439 Per Student
A Very Good

COOK COUNTY MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
92 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,439 Per Student
B+ Above Average

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
120 Students
👨‍🏫
9.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,165 Per Student
B Good

GRAND MARAIS COMMUNITY

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$21,439 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do landlords charge for rent in Grand Marais, MN?

Grand Marais, MN rentals go for roughly $918/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $426K acquisition costs.

Are renters plentiful in Grand Marais, MN?

Grand Marais, MN offers a consistent renter base at the $918/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What kind of market is Grand Marais, MN for investors?

Grand Marais, MN stands at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $426K and average rents around $918/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Grand Marais, MN?

Grand Marais, MN vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Grand Marais, MN?

House hacking in Grand Marais, MN is reasonable to execute. Prices around $426K and rents of $918/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

You know 55604 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55604 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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