Best Places to Buy Rental Property in Iowa (2026)
We ranked all 25 Iowa counties that have both a median home price and a median rent, ordered by the cap rate a median-priced rental would produce. Des Moines County leads at 5.2%, with a median price of $150,712.
Iowa counties ranked by cap rate
| # | Market | Cap rate | Median price | Median rent | Cash flow | Analyze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines County, IA | 5.2% | $150,712 | $1,013 | -$132 | Run numbers |
| 2 | Webster County, IA | 4.5% | $141,880 | $826 | -$207 | Run numbers |
| 3 | Woodbury County, IA | 4.5% | $209,683 | $1,216 | -$309 | Run numbers |
| 4 | Pottawattamie County, IA | 4.3% | $244,538 | $1,356 | -$400 | Run numbers |
| 5 | Clarke County, IA | 4.3% | $201,474 | $1,116 | -$331 | Run numbers |
| 6 | Black Hawk County, IA | 4.1% | $190,362 | $1,011 | -$341 | Run numbers |
| 7 | Linn County, IA | 4.1% | $243,306 | $1,281 | -$443 | Run numbers |
| 8 | Clinton County, IA | 4.0% | $182,497 | $943 | -$344 | Run numbers |
| 9 | Fayette County, IA | 3.9% | $159,695 | $796 | -$320 | Run numbers |
| 10 | Tama County, IA | 3.9% | $175,936 | $875 | -$354 | Run numbers |
| 11 | Lee County, IA | 3.7% | $128,725 | $605 | -$282 | Run numbers |
| 12 | Cerro Gordo County, IA | 3.5% | $206,159 | $918 | -$484 | Run numbers |
| 13 | Polk County, IA | 3.5% | $283,819 | $1,259 | -$669 | Run numbers |
| 14 | Boone County, IA | 3.5% | $237,632 | $1,053 | -$561 | Run numbers |
| 15 | Marshall County, IA | 3.5% | $196,658 | $870 | -$465 | Run numbers |
| 16 | Johnson County, IA | 3.4% | $313,517 | $1,383 | -$745 | Run numbers |
| 17 | Dallas County, IA | 3.4% | $356,321 | $1,546 | -$863 | Run numbers |
| 18 | Jasper County, IA | 3.3% | $236,252 | $1,007 | -$584 | Run numbers |
| 19 | Scott County, IA | 3.2% | $253,570 | $1,055 | -$644 | Run numbers |
| 20 | Dubuque County, IA | 3.1% | $282,563 | $1,132 | -$746 | Run numbers |
| 21 | Jefferson County, IA | 3.0% | $188,001 | $724 | -$515 | Run numbers |
| 22 | Story County, IA | 3.0% | $298,304 | $1,142 | -$821 | Run numbers |
| 23 | Marion County, IA | 2.9% | $277,089 | $1,027 | -$785 | Run numbers |
| 24 | Warren County, IA | 2.8% | $327,178 | $1,189 | -$943 | Run numbers |
| 25 | Winneshiek County, IA | 2.4% | $325,890 | $1,015 | -$1,049 | Run numbers |
Looking for every county in the state, including those without rent data? Browse the full Iowa market directory.
How this ranking is calculated
We scored 25 counties in Iowa and ranked them by capitalization rate, calculated as annual net operating income divided by median home price. Counties without both a median home price and a median rent are excluded, because cash flow cannot be estimated without both.
Every figure assumes a median-priced home rented at the local median rent, financed with 20 percent down on a 30-year loan at 6.85%, with closing costs at 3 percent of price and operating costs at 35 percent of rent. Operating costs cover taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and management.
These are modeled estimates for comparing markets, not quotes on a specific property. A real deal turns on the individual property, its condition, and the actual rent it can command. Run any market that interests you through the calculator with real numbers before you make an offer.
National rankings
Compare Iowa against the rest of the country.
Best Cash Flow Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated monthly cash flow on a median-priced rental, after mortgage and operating costs.
Highest Cap Rate Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental, using local median rent and a 35 percent operating cost assumption.
Best Cash-on-Cash Return Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated first-year cash-on-cash return on a median-priced rental with 20 percent down.
Best Rental Markets Under $200,000
US counties with a median home price under $200,000, ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental.
Cheapest Markets With Positive Cash Flow
The lowest-priced US counties where a median-priced rental still covers its mortgage and operating costs.
Best Appreciation Markets for Real Estate Investors
US counties ranked by appreciation score, blending recent home price growth with the risk of an overheated market.
Best Overall Real Estate Markets to Invest In
US counties ranked by overall investment score, blending cash flow, appreciation, stability, and affordability.
Other states
States with fewer than 5 counties reporting both price and rent are omitted, because a ranking that short would not be meaningful.
Run the numbers on a Iowa property
Start from Des Moines County median values and replace them with a real listing price and rent to see whether the deal actually works.