Real Estate Investing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (80487)

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

Routt County • Population: 18,378 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 80487 (Steamboat Springs, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 41.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Steamboat Springs, CO (80487)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,317,996
Avg Monthly Rent $3,713
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $95,675
% Renters 25.4%

Market Analysis: 80487 Steamboat Springs

Meanwhile, ZIP 80487 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $1.3M median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 80487 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 80487 among CO's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Resident income in 80487 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The 80487 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Steamboat Springs:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 13.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,713/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Steamboat Springs, CO Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.0%
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 Steamboat Springs, CO metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 80487

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
2.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+13.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$428,890/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $538,180 $1,940 2.6% +13.7% $538,180
2BR $857,780 $2,130 1.8% +13.2% $428,890
3BR $1,372,516 $2,550 1.3% +12.8% $457,505
4BR $2,158,758 $3,340 1.1% +13.8% $539,689
5BR $3,404,673 +13.6% $680,935

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.4M$1.2M$956K$732K$509K$286KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,919$3,681$3,443$3,205$2,967$2,729Feb 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 80487 Compare?

Metric 80487 Steamboat Springs Steamboat Springs, CO Colorado
Home Value $1,317,996 $1,317,996 N/A $535,778
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 7.6% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $3,713 $3,713 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 80487? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 80487 (Steamboat Springs, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Steamboat Springs, CO metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
3/3
80%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,317,996
Monthly Rent $3,713
Price-to-Rent 29.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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.

Vacancy
41.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 80487

Population: 18,378

💰 Median Household Income
$95,675
This area
$95,675
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.4%
This area
25.4%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
53.9%
This area
53.9%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.3 years
This area
42.3 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
41.2%
This area
41.2%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.2%
Other/Mixed 12.4%
Hispanic/Latino 10.1%
Asian 1.1%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
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 80487

A Avg School Grade
7 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$26,319 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Sleeping Giant School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
372 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,544 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Soda Creek Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
384 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,544 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Steamboat Springs Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
479 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$28,544 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Strawberry Park Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$28,544 Per Student
A Very Good

Steamboat Springs High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
845 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$28,544 Per Student
B Good

Yampa Valley High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
36 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$28,544 Per Student
B Good

Steamboat Montessori

📚 Pre-K – 06 School Charter
👥
153 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,972 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes affordable in Steamboat Springs, CO?

The median home value in Steamboat Springs, CO is roughly $1.3M. That puts it reasonable relative to the CO statewide average.

Are tenants stable in Steamboat Springs, CO?

Steamboat Springs, CO offers a predictable renter base at the $3,713/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is vacancy a concern in Steamboat Springs, CO?

Steamboat Springs, CO carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect stable absorption at market rents of $3,713/mo.

What do rentals go for in Steamboat Springs, CO?

The typical rental in Steamboat Springs, CO commands about $3,713/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $1.3M purchase basis.

Is CO a landlord-friendly state?

Steamboat Springs, CO operates under CO law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

You know 80487 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 80487 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 80487 ranks in Steamboat Springs, CO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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