Real Estate Investing in Rochester, Minnesota (55902)

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

Olmsted County • Population: 25,988 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 55902 (Rochester, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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 Rochester, MN (55902)?

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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 $480,299
Avg Monthly Rent $1,786
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $107,017
% Renters 28.6%

Market Analysis: 55902 Rochester

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Rochester's 55902 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $480K pricing implies.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 55902 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 55902's metrics run below Olmsted County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Demographically, 55902 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 55902 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 Rochester:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,786/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
Rochester, MN Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
53 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.4%
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 Rochester, MN metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 55902

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$128,535/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $267,574 $1,690 4.5% +4.7% $133,787
3BR $385,604 $2,350 4.4% +5.4% $128,535
4BR $527,513 $2,840 3.9% +5.9% $131,878
5BR $758,563 +6.4% $151,713

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$502K$439K$376K$313K$250K$187KMay 2006Jun 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,879$1,782$1,685$1,588$1,492$1,395Dec 2020Oct 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55902 Compare?

Metric 55902 Rochester Rochester, MN Minnesota
Home Value $480,299 $252,381 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 4.0% 4.2% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,786 $1,668 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 55902? 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 55902 (Rochester, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.0%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Rochester, MN metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
37%
Days Pending
1/2
53 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $480,299
Monthly Rent $1,786
Price-to-Rent 22.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -3.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
4.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55902

Population: 25,988

💰 Median Household Income
$107,017
This area
$107,017
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.6%
This area
28.6%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
65.0%
This area
65.0%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.0 years
This area
40.0 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.8%
Asian 10.1%
Other/Mixed 6.1%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Black/African American 2.1%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.7%
This area
17.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
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 55902

B+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
17.0:1 Avg Class Size
$21,459 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

BAMBER VALLEY ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
613 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,548 Per Student
A Very Good

Rochester Beacon Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
95 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,177 Per Student
A Very Good

FOLWELL ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
18.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,548 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Project Search Mayo Clinic

📚 Grade 12 High School
👥
9 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$22,548 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ROCHESTER STEM ACADEMY

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
116 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,178 Per Student
C+ Average

Out of State Care and Treatment

📚 K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
💰
$22,548 Per Student
C+ Average

RSTEM Online

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
💰
$19,178 Per Student
C+ Average

ROCHESTER MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
419 Students
👨‍🏫
32.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,948 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

4 Nearby 1,809 Off-Campus Students
C+
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
1,480 students · 4.5 mi
C+
University of Minnesota-Rochester
588 students · 4.6 mi
D
Rochester Community and Technical College
4,714 students · 5.7 mi
C
Nova Academy of Cosmetology
174 students · 8.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,809 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do experienced investors play Rochester, MN?

For Rochester, MN, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Is Rochester, MN landlord-friendly?

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

Are rents high in Rochester, MN?

Rental rates in Rochester, MN average $1,786/mo. Tenant demand and $480K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Rochester, MN?

Expect elevated vacancy in Rochester, MN. Rents at $1,786/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Does house hacking make sense in Rochester, MN?

For house hackers, Rochester, MN is a challenging. The $1,786/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $480K property.

You know 55902 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55902 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 55902 ranks in Rochester, MN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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