Clearwater County

MinnesotaPopulation: 8,541
71
/100
Buy
#138 of 1,000 counties
#28 in Minnesota (87 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated July 28, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$247,138
Median Home Price
8% above national median
$14,933/mo
Est. Rent
Based on regional data
6.04%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Estimated from price data
+$0
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
71/100
71
Cash Flow(30%)
0/100

Rent data not available for cash flow calculation.

Appreciation(25%)
83/100

Based on 13.2% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
77/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

  • +Strong price appreciation (+13.2% YoY)
  • +Affordable relative to local incomes

Challenges

  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 0.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
  • -Limited rent data (estimates used)

Economic Indicators

Population
8,541
Median Income
—
Data pending
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
—
Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for
  • +Appreciation buyers: YoY growth is meaningfully above the long-run average
Skip if
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
SwiftMN
73$188,268Est. pending—BuyView
Lake of the WoodsMN
73$209,243Est. pending—BuyView
StevensMN
72$204,884Est. pending—BuyView
DodgeMN
72$317,490Est. pending—BuyView
CurrentClearwaterMN
71$247,138Est. pending—Buy
PineMN
70$261,402Est. pending—BuyView

The Bottom Line

BuyClearwater offers solid investment potential with roughly break-even cash flow at typical financing.

Clearwater County in Minnesota scores 71/100, ranking #138 of 1,000 US counties (top 18%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental roughly breaks even on cash flow. The deal works on appreciation or with better terms, not on month-one cash flow.

Monthly Cash Flow
+$0/mo
Cap Rate
0.0%
Cash-on-Cash
0.0%

Related markets

All counties in Minnesota →

Rent vs buy in Minnesota cities

Rent vs buy in Minneapolis, MNMedian $374,793 · rent $1,743/moRent vs buy in St. Paul, MNMedian $326,548 · rent $1,504/moRent vs buy in Rochester, MNMedian $337,521 · rent $1,676/moRent vs buy in Duluth, MNMedian $241,512 · rent $1,575/moRent vs buy in Bloomington, MNMedian $374,793 · rent $1,743/moAll Minnesota citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

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