Real Estate Investing in Hills, Minnesota (56138)

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

Rock County • Population: 1,046 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 56138 (Hills, MN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (74/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

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

What’s happening in Hills, MN (56138)?

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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 $242,814
Avg Monthly Rent $981
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,107
% Renters 25.2%

Market Analysis: 56138 Hills

ZIP 56138 in Hills, MN carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $243K and rents of $981/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

For an experienced owner, 56138 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $243K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Regionally, 56138 sits on the difficult end of the MN spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

A resilient renter share of 25% in 56138 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

New investors are better served looking at Hills's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 56138. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Hills:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $981/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$255K$226K$196K$167K$137K$108KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 56138 Compare?

Metric 56138 Hills Minnesota
Home Value $242,814 $242,814 $340,597
5-Year CAGR 6.7% 6.7% 4.9%
Avg Rent $981 $981 -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 56138? 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 56138 (Hills, MN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.7%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $242,814
Monthly Rent $981
Price-to-Rent 20.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
10.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 56138

Population: 1,046

💰 Median Household Income
$84,107
This area
$84,107
State
$77,168
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.2%
This area
25.2%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
-3.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.0%
This area
26.0%
State
20.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.5 years
This area
42.5 years
State
37.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
State
17.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 96.6%
Other/Mixed 2.2%
Black/African American 1.2%
Hispanic/Latino 1.0%
👶 Under 18
26.6%
This area
26.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.5%
This area
17.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
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 56138

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$16,292 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
199 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,292 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 kind of market is Hills, MN for investors?

Hills, MN rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $243K and rents near $981/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What do landlords charge for rent in Hills, MN?

Investors in Hills, MN typically see rents near $981/mo per month against $243K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Is rental property easy to operate in Hills, MN?

MN law balanced for landlords, and Hills inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

How tight is the rental market in Hills, MN?

Vacancy in Hills, MN is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $981/mo.

How do experienced investors play Hills, MN?

Hills, MN investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($243K prices, $981/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 56138 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 56138 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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