Real Estate Investing in Denver, Colorado (80204)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Denver County • Population: 35,518 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 80204 (Denver, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (35/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Declining values: -0.4% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

What’s happening in Denver, CO (80204)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $527,699
Avg Monthly Rent $1,958
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $74,993
% Renters 60.9%

Market Analysis: 80204 Denver

In practical terms, ZIP 80204 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $528K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Rent of $1,958/mo on a $528K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 80204 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Nearby ZIPs in Denver have seen price recovery that 80204 has not matched. Denver County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

On the rental side, 35,518 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 80204 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Denver:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 48/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,958/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
53 days
Average time to sell
Average
12.8%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 80204

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+3.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$134,893/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $368,454 $1,870 3.7% +0.3% $368,454
2BR $491,131 $2,230 3.3% +2.0% $245,565
3BR $622,378 $2,920 3.4% +3.2% $207,459
4BR $665,100 $3,250 3.5% +2.9% $166,275
5BR $674,463 +3.4% $134,893

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$651K$553K$455K$357K$259K$160KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,129$1,992$1,855$1,719$1,582$1,445Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 80204 Compare?

Metric 80204 Denver Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Colorado
Home Value $527,699 $476,211 N/A $535,778
5-Year CAGR N/A 0.5% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,958 $1,946 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 80204? Click to expand

61% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 80204 (Denver, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Denver County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Avail Property Management is a property management company focused on providing a better way of living for residents and maximizing investment for owners. summary from their website

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This domain is for sale for $5,795 or monthly payments. summary from their website

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Beacon Property Management LLC offers property management services in Denver. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
-0.4%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $527,699
Monthly Rent $1,958
Price-to-Rent 22.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 2.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR -0.4% ▼
10-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -3.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.6% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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.

Vacancy
7.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 80204

Population: 35,518

💰 Median Household Income
$74,993
This area
$74,993
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
60.9%
This area
60.9%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
48.8%
This area
48.8%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.9 years
This area
32.9 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.7%
Other/Mixed 26.1%
Hispanic/Latino 21.7%
Black/African American 7.2%
Asian 2.1%
👶 Under 18
17.1%
This area
17.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.1%
This area
9.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.7%
This area
16.7%
USA
11.5%

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 80204

A Avg School Grade
13 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$19,296 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Cheltenham Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
386 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Center for Talent Development at Greenlee

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
261 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Denver Center for International Studies

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
454 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A+ Excellent

West High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
563 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A Very Good

Colfax Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
257 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A Very Good

Cowell Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
270 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A Very Good

Eagleton Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
241 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A Very Good

Lake Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
603 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
A Very Good

Girls Athletic Leadership School Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter
👥
203 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Colorado High School Charter

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
203 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Girls Athletic Leadership School High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
93 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
B+ Above Average

West Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Compassion Road Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
89 Students
👨‍🏫
9.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,296 Per Student
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

8 Nearby 14,855 Off-Campus Students
C
Metropolitan State University of Denver
17,593 students · 1.1 mi
C
Aveda Institute-Denver
316 students · 1.1 mi
C
Community College of Denver
7,715 students · 1.1 mi
C
National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA)
203 students · 1.2 mi
D
Colorado State University-System Office
0 students · 1.8 mi
C
Denver College of Nursing
1,008 students · 1.9 mi
B
Emily Griffith Technical College
5,914 students · 2.0 mi
D
University of Colorado System Office
0 students · 2.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 14,855 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Denver, CO?

Denver, CO rentals go for roughly $1,958/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $528K acquisition costs.

What are vacancy rates like in Denver, CO?

Vacancy in Denver, CO is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,958/mo.

How expensive is real estate in Denver, CO?

Median home price in Denver, CO is near $528K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Does Denver, CO favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Denver, CO deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What is the best play in Denver, CO?

Denver, CO investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($528K prices, $1,958/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 80204 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 80204 ranks in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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