Real Estate Investing in Lakewood, Colorado (80228)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 80228 (Lakewood, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Lakewood, CO (80228)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 80228 Lakewood
The 80228 ZIP covers a section of Lakewood that demands careful diligence. Prices near $645K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Turning to rents, the numbers look inviting — $645K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 80228 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Regionally, 80228 sits on the difficult end of the CO spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.
A impressive renter share of 31% in 80228 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
New investors are better served looking at Lakewood's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 80228. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lakewood:
Property Strategy for 80228
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $240,601 | $1,900 | 5.7% | +4.4% | $240,601 |
| 2BR | $327,766 | $2,260 | 5.0% | +4.2% | $163,883 |
| 3BR | $618,312 | $2,960 | 3.4% | +5.1% | $206,104 |
| 4BR | $713,828 | $3,300 | 3.3% | +5.3% | $178,457 |
| 5BR | $787,411 | — | — | +5.5% | $157,482 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 80228 Compare?
| Metric | 80228 | Lakewood | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $645,115 | $557,095 | N/A | $535,778 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.3% | 1.8% | N/A | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,854 | $1,785 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.6% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 80228 (Lakewood, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 80228 (Lakewood, CO)?
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Property managers serving Jefferson County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Aim High Property Management handles the full rental cycle for residential properties, including finding qualified tenants, protecting home condition, collecting rent, and reporting to owners. summary from their website
Association & Community Management provides professional management solutions for Homeowners Associations for over 60 years, focusing on personal service and integrity. summary from their website
Colorado Luxe Living offers real estate and property management services for the Front Range. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $645,115 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,854 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.5% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -0.2% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.1% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.7% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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 80228
Population: 34,677
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 80228
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 3,324 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are landlord laws favorable in Lakewood, CO?
The landlord environment in Lakewood, CO is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
What is the best play in Lakewood, CO?
Most investors in Lakewood, CO run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
Where do home prices stand in Lakewood, CO?
Median home price in Lakewood, CO is near $645K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
Is Lakewood in CO worth investing in?
Lakewood, CO comes in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $645K and average rents around $1,854/mo. That combination puts it in the durable tier for investor interest.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Lakewood, CO?
House hacking in Lakewood, CO is reasonable to execute. Prices around $645K and rents of $1,854/mo solid owner-occupant economics.
You know 80228 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 80228 ranks in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
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