Real Estate Investing in Fort Collins, Colorado (80528)

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

Larimer County • Population: 24,233 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 80528 (Fort Collins, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Fort Collins, CO (80528)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $646,581
Avg Monthly Rent $2,212
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $120,109
% Renters 31.6%

Market Analysis: 80528 Fort Collins

ZIP 80528 in Fort Collins, CO carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $647K and rents of $2,212/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $647K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 80528 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Fort Collins have seen price recovery that 80528 has not matched. Larimer County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 80528 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 80528 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 Fort Collins:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,212/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Fort Collins, CO Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
58 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.9%
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 Fort Collins, CO metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 80528

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+5.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$181,892/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $400,794 $2,010 3.6% +4.0% $200,397
3BR $551,504 $2,770 3.6% +5.0% $183,835
4BR $739,270 $2,950 2.9% +5.4% $184,817
5BR $909,462 +5.8% $181,892

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$701K$617K$533K$449K$364K$280KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,314$2,148$1,981$1,815$1,648$1,481Jan 2020May 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 80528 Compare?

Metric 80528 Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Colorado
Home Value $646,581 $577,037 N/A $535,778
5-Year CAGR 2.7% 3.0% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,212 $1,995 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 80528? 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 80528 (Fort Collins, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Larimer County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Armadillo Properties offers property management, rental listings, and sales services in Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, and Kempner. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Dimensions Realty and Management is a full-service real estate company providing property management and brokerage services in Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Faith Pro LLC is a Northern Colorado Property Management Company. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Fort Collins, CO metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
47%
Days Pending
1/2
58 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $646,581
Monthly Rent $2,212
Price-to-Rent 24.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 5.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +4.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
2.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 80528

Population: 24,233

💰 Median Household Income
$120,109
This area
$120,109
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.6%
This area
31.6%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
61.6%
This area
61.6%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.6 years
This area
34.6 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.5%
Other/Mixed 13.9%
Hispanic/Latino 11.5%
Asian 5.6%
Black/African American 2.0%
👶 Under 18
29.4%
This area
29.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.2%
This area
11.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
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 80528

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
16.8:1 Avg Class Size
$16,953 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Bacon Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
415 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,617 Per Student
A Very Good

Zach Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
470 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
766 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Preston Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
549 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Traut Core Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
493 Students
👨‍🏫
18.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,617 Per Student
B Good

Colorado Early Colleges Windsor

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
175 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,972 Per Student
B Good

Fossil Ridge High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,968 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,617 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

5 Nearby 3,962 Off-Campus Students
C
IBMC College
306 students · 5.0 mi
C
Cheeks Beauty Academy
40 students · 5.3 mi
C
Tuana European Beauty Academy
39 students · 7.0 mi
B
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
33,500 students · 7.0 mi
C+
Aims Community College
7,529 students · 13.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,962 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Fort Collins, CO?

Fort Collins, CO rentals go for roughly $2,212/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $647K acquisition costs.

How should investors approach Fort Collins, CO?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Fort Collins, CO. The numbers - $647K homes against $2,212/mo rents - support that play.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Fort Collins, CO?

Occupancy in Fort Collins, CO runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $2,212/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Fort Collins, CO?

Fort Collins, CO is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $647K price point reasonable to enter.

Is Fort Collins in CO worth investing in?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Fort Collins, CO ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $647K and rents of $2,212/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 80528 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 80528 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 80528 ranks in Fort Collins, CO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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