Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Muscatine, IA
The median monthly rent in Muscatine, IA is $880, translating to $10,560 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.46% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices.
Renters in Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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.
Muscatine's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 18.0x. A GRM above 16x means the property is expensive relative to its income. Investors here are typically betting on appreciation rather than current cash flow. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.
At the median rent of $880/mo, a single-family rental in Muscatine generates approximately $10,560 in gross annual income. After accounting for 5.6% vacancy ($591 lost), property taxes of $2,869, insurance (~$760), and maintenance (~$760), the estimated NOI is $5,580 per year, or $465/mo.
Muscatine vs Iowa state average and national average across key investment metrics. Muscatine's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.