Real Estate Investing in Ruthton, Minnesota (56170)

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

Pipestone County • Population: 486 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56170 (Ruthton, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (70/100)

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 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Ruthton, MN (56170)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $195,303
Avg Monthly Rent $1,017
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,750
% Renters 13.9%

Market Analysis: 56170 Ruthton

The 56170 ZIP in Ruthton, MN is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $195K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The 56170 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

In the broader MN picture, 56170 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 56170 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Ruthton averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 56170 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 Ruthton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,017/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Marshall, MN Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
10.2%
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 Marshall, MN metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$204K$188K$173K$158K$142K$127KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56170 Compare?

Metric 56170 Ruthton Marshall, MN Minnesota
Home Value $195,303 $195,303 N/A $340,597
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 4.2% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,017 $1,017 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 56170? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 56170 (Ruthton, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Marshall, MN metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
19%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $195,303
Monthly Rent $1,017
Price-to-Rent 16.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
9.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56170

Population: 486

💰 Median Household Income
$52,750
This area
$52,750
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.9%
This area
13.9%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.1%
This area
13.1%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.8 years
This area
49.8 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.2%
This area
9.2%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 90.2%
Other/Mixed 9.8%
Hispanic/Latino 8.6%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.7%
This area
21.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ruthton, MN good for landlords?

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

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

Yes - Ruthton, MN a 3.0/5 investability score. With $195K home prices against $1,017/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What is the typical renter like in Ruthton, MN?

The tenant pool in Ruthton, MN is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,017/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Can I house hack in Ruthton, MN?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Ruthton, MN reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

How do home values compare in Ruthton, MN?

Ruthton, MN median home values land near $195K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,017/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 56170 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 56170 ranks in Marshall, MN

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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