Real Estate Investing in Houston, Minnesota (55943)

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

Houston County • Population: 3,070 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 55943 (Houston, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.2 — 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 Houston, MN (55943)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $352,048
Avg Monthly Rent $972
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,982
% Renters 15.8%

Market Analysis: 55943 Houston

ZIP 55943 inside Houston County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $352K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $352K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 55943 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In the broader MN picture, 55943 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 55943 ZIP's population of 3,070 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategically, 55943 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Houston:

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 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $972/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 55943

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$92,650/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $258,151 $1,080 3.0% +8.8% $129,076
3BR $315,426 $1,430 3.3% +9.8% $105,142
4BR $370,601 $1,800 3.5% +9.0% $92,650

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$369K$320K$271K$222K$173K$124KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 55943 Compare?

Metric 55943 Houston Minnesota
Home Value $352,048 $352,048 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 8.3% 8.3% 4.9%
Avg Rent $972 $972 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 55943? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 55943 (Houston, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 55943 (Houston, MN)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $352,048
Monthly Rent $972
Price-to-Rent 30.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
11.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 55943

Population: 3,070

💰 Median Household Income
$65,982
This area
$65,982
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.8%
This area
15.8%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.1%
This area
28.1%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.0 years
This area
43.0 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.2%
This area
11.2%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.8%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 1.7%
Black/African American 0.8%
Asian 0.5%
👶 Under 18
27.9%
This area
27.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.3%
This area
8.3%
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 55943

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$15,465 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

HOUSTON ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
206 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,939 Per Student
A Very Good

Minnesota Virtual Academy Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
341 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,939 Per Student
B+ Above Average

HOUSTON SECONDARY

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
227 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,939 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Minnesota Virtual Academy High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
777 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,939 Per Student
B Good

Minnesota Virtual Academy Elementar

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
426 Students
👨‍🏫
20.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,939 Per Student
B Good

RIDGEWAY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

📚 K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
91 Students
👨‍🏫
9.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,621 Per Student
C+ Average

SUMMIT LEARNING PROGRAM

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
23 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,939 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 type of investing works in Houston, MN?

The best-fit strategy in Houston, MN is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

How much rent can I charge in Houston, MN?

Rent in Houston, MN is around $972/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $352K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

How expensive is real estate in Houston, MN?

Houston, MN median home values land near $352K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $972/mo-per-month rentals.

How high is vacancy risk in Houston, MN?

Expect elevated vacancy in Houston, MN. Rents at $972/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is MN a landlord-friendly state?

Rental owners in Houston, MN deal with a balanced legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

You know 55943 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 55943 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.

Compare Plans

How 55943 ranks in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 55943 (Houston)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 55943 (Houston, MN).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.