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Garner city, IA

ZIP 50438 — Housing & Real Estate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates. Page data updated 2026-08-02.

Middle ClassLow Snow Area

Home values, rent, tenure, and housing stock

Housing & Real Estate in ZIP Code 50438

Median Home Value
$176,500
Median Rent
$675
Affordability Snapshot
$49,000
Est. income to buy

Household income needed for a median home under a 20% down / 6.8% illustrative mortgage model (~$1,134/mo PITI).

12%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Below the 30% threshold — generally affordable for median earners.

2.5x
Home Price-to-Income Ratio

Below 3x — relatively affordable housing market.

21.8 yrs
Price-to-Rent Ratio

Years to break even buying vs renting at median home value and rent.

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 50438 in Garner city, IA, a household would need roughly $49,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $1,134. That sits below the local median household income ($69,637), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

Housing Tenure

Mostly owner-occupied, low vacancy — stable housing market.

Heating Fuel
Housing Metrics
Owner Occupied
77.2%+18% vs US avg
x
Vacancy Rate
3.1%-69% vs US avg
x
Broadband Access
84.7%-3% vs US avg
x
4+ Bedrooms
10.8%-27% vs US avg
x
Built Pre-1939
2.0%-84% vs US avg
x
Built Post-2014
0.0%
x
Rent Burden >30%
30.7%-38% vs US avg
x
Mortgage-Free
39.7%+4% vs US avg
x
$176,500
Home Value
$675
Rent
1970
Year Built
2012
Moved In

Residents have lived here since ~2012 on average

Housing Structure

Census ACS structure types (single-family, multi-unit, etc.).

  • 1-unit detached77.6%
  • 1-unit attached6.3%
  • 2-9 units6.2%
  • 10+ units7.6%
  • Mobile home & other2.2%

Housing & Real Estate key statistics

Housing statistics
Housing
Median home value$176,500
Median rent$675
Owner-occupied77.2%
Vacant3.1%
Price-to-income2.5x
Est. income to buy$49,000