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MarketsMinnesotaOwatonnaRental Property Investment Guide

Rental Property Investment Guide: Owatonna, MN

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Owatonna, MN

Cap Rate
2.53%
Median Price
$290K
Rent/Mo
$1,130
1% Rule
0.39%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Owatonna sits in the Midwest with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% annually. The median home costs $290,000 while rents average $1,130/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 2.53%. Cash flow investing here requires creative strategies like BRRRR or value-add approaches.

Who Should Invest Here

Owatonna works best for experienced investors with a clear strategy — Section 8, student housing, or deep value-add rehabs. The 2.53% cap rate at median prices is tight, so success depends on buying below market, forcing appreciation through renovation, or accessing above-market rent streams through niche tenant bases.

Deal Criteria for Owatonna

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $290,000 median — around $232,000 or less. At this price point with $1,130/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 3.6%. Factor in 1.12% property taxes ($3,248/yr), budget 5% of gross rent for maintenance, and underwrite to a 4.8% vacancy rate. On a 20% down conventional loan at 7%, monthly PITI will run approximately $1,913.

Risks and Considerations

Every deal should be evaluated individually using our calculator tools. Median data provides a starting point; actual returns depend on the specific property, financing, and your management approach.

Next Steps

Run the numbers on a specific Owatonna property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Owatonna data). Compare Owatonna against similar markets in the Midwest region. If you're considering a value-add approach, try our BRRRR calculator to model a rehab scenario.

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How Owatonna Compares

Owatonna vs Minnesota state average and national average across key investment metrics. Owatonna's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Owatonna
Minnesota Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
2.53%
3.12%
3.81%
Median Price
$290K
$310K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,130
$1,353
$1,524
Property Tax
1.12%
1.12%
1.08%
Vacancy
4.8%
4.8%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.5%/yr
0.5%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Owatonna, MN
2.5%
$290K
$1,130
1.12%
Des Moines, IA
2.6%
$290K
$1,260
1.52%
Bloomington, IN
4.2%
$290K
$1,480
0.83%
Iowa City, IA
2.9%
$290K
$1,320
1.48%
Oshkosh, WI
1.6%
$290K
$1,100
1.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Owatonna, MN a good place to invest in rental property?
Owatonna has an estimated cap rate of 2.53%, which is below the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $290K and rents of $1,130/mo, pure cash flow investing in Owatonna is challenging at median prices, but value-add strategies can work. Population growth of 0.5% and 4.8% vacancy rate indicate healthy tenant demand.
What is the average cap rate in Owatonna?
The estimated cap rate for Owatonna is 2.53%, based on median home prices of $290K, median rents of $1,130/mo, a 1.12% property tax rate, and 4.8% vacancy. This compares to a 3.12% average across Minnesota and 3.81% nationally. Cap rates for individual properties will vary based on purchase price, actual rents, and property condition.
How much does a rental property cost in Owatonna?
The median home price in Owatonna is $290,000, which is 13% below the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $58,000. Investment properties in Owatonna range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Owatonna property taxes for investors?
Owatonna's effective property tax rate is 1.12%, which is above the Minnesota average of 1.12% and above the national average of 1.08%. On a $290K property, annual taxes are approximately $3,248 ($271/mo). Property taxes are moderate and manageable.
Full Owatonna Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Owatonna & Related Markets

More Owatonna Guides

Rent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideCost of Living & AffordabilityAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

Similar Markets in the Midwest

Minot, ND$260K · $990/mo
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Williston, ND$340K · $1,300/mo
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Lincoln, NE$295K · $1,290/mo
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Des Moines, IA$290K · $1,260/mo
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St. Cloud, MN$305K · $1,210/mo
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