c.1890 Iowa Fixer Upper Under $23K

543 S Central Ave, Burlington, IA 52601 $22,900

• Contact Realtor: Leiah Prall
• Google Map
• Niche

Pros

1. Very Affordable Living

• Median home value is around $94–115 K, ~60–68% below the U.S. average 

• Cost of living is 20–27% below U.S. average and slightly below Iowa overall .

2. Diverse & Family-Friendly Community

• Rated B+ for diversity; a mix of families, retirees, and young professionals .

• Plenty of parks (Crapo, Dankwardt), riverfront trails, water park, and library programs

3. Solid School District

• Burlington Community School District enrolls ~3,300 students; student-teacher ratio ~14:1 

• Academics graded C–; proficiency ~42% in math, ~54% in reading

4. Revitalizing Downtown & Cultural Amenities

• Historic downtown, Snake Alley, Capitol Theater, breweries, bars, local restaurants creating a strong sense of place 

• Active live‑music and film festivals; “not a bad area at all” according to locals .

5. Good Connectivity & Healthcare

• Reliable fixed-line internet and quality healthcare facilities, including pediatrics 

• Walkable areas downtown; public transit available via BUS 

Cons

1. Relatively High Crime

• Crime rate is ~24–51% above national norms, with 1 in 36 residents experiencing crime—violent crime notably elevated 

• “The crime really isn’t all that bad and easy to stay away from … most of the crime is drug related.” 
  “Burlington might be a shit ridden meth hole … surrounding area is not.” 

2. Lower Income & Poverty Concerns

• Median household income about $46,700, ~30% below national average; ~19% live in poverty 

• Education attainment lower: only 19% hold a bachelor’s degree .

3. School Performance Could Improve

• Despite adequate staffing, students underperform in math and reading compared to state averages 

4. Limited Urban Amenities

• Some residents describe the mall, theater options, and nightlife as modest; bigger-city entertainment requires an hour’s drive to Iowa City or Quad Cities .

5. Storm Risks & Infrastructure

• Southeastern Iowa is prone to severe storms; property taxes higher than state average

• Reddit users reference road construction issues