Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Burlington, IA
The median monthly rent in Burlington, IA is $870, translating to $10,440 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.62% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices.
Renters in Burlington spend approximately 21% of the local median household income ($49,771) on rent. This is well below the 30% threshold, suggesting significant headroom for rent increases. Tenants can afford to pay more, which is bullish for landlords.
The vacancy rate in Burlington is 5.6%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Population growth of 0.4% annually provides stable demand.
Burlington's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 13.4x. A GRM between 12-16x is moderate and typical of balanced markets. Deals can work but you need to keep expenses controlled. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.
At the median rent of $870/mo, a single-family rental in Burlington generates approximately $10,440 in gross annual income. After accounting for 5.6% vacancy ($585 lost), property taxes of $2,114, insurance (~$560), and maintenance (~$560), the estimated NOI is $6,621 per year, or $552/mo.
Burlington vs Iowa state average and national average across key investment metrics. Burlington outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.