Real Estate Investing in Rice Lake, Minnesota (55803)

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

Saint Louis County • Population: 17,795 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55803 (Rice Lake, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

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

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

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 12.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Rice Lake, MN (55803)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $366,683
Avg Monthly Rent $2,342
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $99,619
% Renters 17.8%

Market Analysis: 55803 Rice Lake

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Rice Lake's 55803 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $367K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $367K asset, 55803 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader MN picture, 55803 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 55803 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 55803 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Rice Lake:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,342/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Duluth, MN-WI Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Duluth, MN-WI metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 55803

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$99,836/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $200,662 $1,360 4.9% +7.2% $200,662
2BR $283,002 $1,710 4.4% +7.9% $141,501
3BR $356,032 $2,340 4.7% +7.2% $118,677
4BR $432,968 $2,870 4.8% +7.5% $108,242
5BR $499,181 +8.4% $99,836

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$382K$338K$293K$249K$205K$161KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,351$2,349$2,347$2,345$2,343$2,341Dec 2025Jan 2026Feb 2026

📊 How Does 55803 Compare?

Metric 55803 Rice Lake Duluth, MN-WI Minnesota
Home Value $366,683 $366,683 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 6.1% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,342 $2,342 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.0% 5.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 55803? 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 55803 (Rice Lake, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $366,683
Monthly Rent $2,342
Price-to-Rent 13.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.7%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
12.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55803

Population: 17,795

💰 Median Household Income
$99,619
This area
$99,619
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
46.7%
This area
46.7%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.3 years
This area
43.3 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.9%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Asian 0.7%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
18.8%
This area
18.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.8%
This area
20.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.4%
This area
1.4%
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 55803

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
17.3:1 Avg Class Size
$18,265 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

HOMECROFT ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
435 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$18,265 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

1 Nearby 411 Off-Campus Students
C+
University of Minnesota-Duluth
9,350 students · 15.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Rice Lake, MN?

Rice Lake, MN home values average about $367K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,342/mo in monthly income.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Rice Lake, MN?

Rice Lake, MN sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MN rental market.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Rice Lake, MN?

Working renters make up the core of the Rice Lake, MN tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What is it like being a landlord in Rice Lake, MN?

Landlord-friendliness in Rice Lake, MN is balanced. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

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

Investors tracking Rice Lake, MN will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $367K median home values and $2,342/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting consistent returns.

You know 55803 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55803 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 55803 ranks in Duluth, MN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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