Real Estate Investing in Highlands Ranch, Colorado (80126)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 80126 (Highlands Ranch, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Highlands Ranch, CO (80126)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 80126 Highlands Ranch
ZIP 80126 in Highlands Ranch, CO carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $742K and rents of $2,979/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.
The 80126 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
The gap between 80126 and stronger Highlands Ranch ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Put differently, 44,482 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 80126 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Highlands Ranch:
Property Strategy for 80126
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $292,468 | $2,240 | 5.5% | +1.8% | $292,468 |
| 2BR | $462,312 | $2,670 | 4.2% | +5.2% | $231,156 |
| 3BR | $629,008 | $3,490 | 4.0% | +5.4% | $209,669 |
| 4BR | $776,835 | $3,900 | 3.6% | +5.6% | $194,209 |
| 5BR | $996,385 | — | — | +6.4% | $199,277 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 80126 Compare?
| Metric | 80126 | Highlands Ranch | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $741,904 | $698,610 | N/A | $535,778 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.3% | 2.1% | N/A | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $2,979 | $2,688 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% | 3.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 80126 (Highlands Ranch, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $741,904 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,979 |
| Price-to-Rent | 20.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.2% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.1% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | 0.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 80126
Population: 44,482
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 80126
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 4,808 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should investors consider Highlands Ranch, CO?
Our data puts Highlands Ranch, CO at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $742K and rents around $2,979/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
How strong are rents in Highlands Ranch, CO?
Highlands Ranch, CO rentals go for roughly $2,979/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $742K acquisition costs.
How high is vacancy risk in Highlands Ranch, CO?
Highlands Ranch, CO vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
Are landlord laws favorable in Highlands Ranch, CO?
CO law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Highlands Ranch inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
How do home values compare in Highlands Ranch, CO?
Highlands Ranch, CO median home values land near $742K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,979/mo-per-month rentals.
You know 80126 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 80126 ranks in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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