Real Estate Investing in Saint Joseph, Missouri (64501)

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

Buchanan County • Population: 10,354 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 64501 (Saint Joseph, MO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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

📈 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: 22.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Saint Joseph, MO (64501)?

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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 $132,291
Avg Monthly Rent $902
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $41,308
% Renters 55.4%

Market Analysis: 64501 Saint Joseph

This part of Buchanan County is not an easy win. The 64501 ZIP stands at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $132K asset, 64501 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Saint Joseph have seen price recovery that 64501 has not matched. Buchanan County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 64501 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 64501, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Saint Joseph:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 81/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+18.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $902/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.
❄️
COOL MARKET
St. Joseph, MO-KS Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
44 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.7%
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 St. Joseph, MO-KS metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 64501

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$41,996/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $107,758 $1,030 6.9% +11.0% $53,879
3BR $144,384 $1,300 6.5% +10.0% $48,128
4BR $167,983 $1,500 6.4% +9.3% $41,996

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$138K$124K$109K$94K$80K$65KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$948$930$911$892$874$855Sep 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 64501 Compare?

Metric 64501 Saint Joseph St. Joseph, MO-KS Missouri
Home Value $132,291 $188,194 N/A $254,657
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 6.5% N/A 7.0%
Avg Rent $902 $1,130 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.3% 4.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 64501? Click to expand

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

55% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 64501 (Saint Joseph, MO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $132,291
Monthly Rent $902
Price-to-Rent 12.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.2%
Cap Rate 5.3%
5-Year IRR 12.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +18.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
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: 5.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.3%). 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
22.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 64501

Population: 10,354

💰 Median Household Income
$41,308
This area
$41,308
State
$62,768
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
55.4%
This area
55.4%
State
23.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-8.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.5%
This area
19.5%
State
8.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.7 years
This area
35.7 years
State
20.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.3%
This area
22.3%
State
18.8%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.9%
Other/Mixed 13.9%
Black/African American 13.2%
Hispanic/Latino 7.0%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
24.8%
This area
24.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.6%
This area
12.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.7%
This area
18.7%
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 64501

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$13,485 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

CARDEN PARK ELEM

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
604 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
B+ Above Average

EDISON ELEM.

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
388 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
C+ Average

CENTRAL HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,720 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

PICKETT ELEM.

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
📍 3923 PICKETT RD, ST JOSEPH
👥
277 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
B+ Above Average

BODE MIDDLE

📚 07 – 08 Middle
📍 720 N NOYES BLVD, ST JOSEPH
👥
474 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
B+ Above Average

COLEMAN ELEM.

📚 K – 06 School
📍 3312 BECK RD, ST JOSEPH
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,485 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Riverside Intermediate

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
📍 204 North 12th, Elwood
👥
138 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,316 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Riverside Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
📍 203 North 12th, Elwood
👥
189 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,316 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 580 Off-Campus Students
C+
Missouri Western State University
3,817 students · 3.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 580 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Saint Joseph, MO?

Rents in Saint Joseph, MO run near $902/mo. Compared with median home prices of $132K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is housing expensive in Saint Joseph, MO?

Median home price in Saint Joseph, MO is near $132K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Which real estate strategy fits Saint Joseph, MO?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Saint Joseph, MO. With home values at $132K and rents near $902/mo, other strategies can work but produce reliable rather than outsized returns.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Saint Joseph, MO?

Saint Joseph, MO sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MO rental market.

Is rental property easy to operate in Saint Joseph, MO?

Rental owners in Saint Joseph, MO deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

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How 64501 ranks in St. Joseph, MO-KS

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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