Real Estate Investing in Boulder, Colorado (80301)

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

Boulder County • Population: 25,252 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 80301 (Boulder, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (47/100)

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

📈 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
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Boulder, CO (80301)?

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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 $707,635
Avg Monthly Rent $2,314
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $88,846
% Renters 46.6%

Market Analysis: 80301 Boulder

The 80301 ZIP covers a section of Boulder that demands careful diligence. Prices near $708K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 80301 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $708K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader CO picture, 80301 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 80301 ZIP's population of 25,252 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that posts the need for careful underwriting.

The 80301 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 Boulder:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,314/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Boulder, CO Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
59 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.9%
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 Boulder, CO metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 80301

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$194,908/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $295,540 $1,930 4.7% +2.4% $295,540
2BR $389,816 $2,280 4.2% +1.8% $194,908
3BR $771,292 $3,030 2.8% +4.4% $257,097
4BR $1,053,669 $3,480 2.4% +5.7% $263,417
5BR $1,373,108 +6.8% $274,622

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$792K$684K$576K$469K$361K$253KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,415$2,249$2,083$1,917$1,751$1,585Dec 2017Apr 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 80301 Compare?

Metric 80301 Boulder Boulder, CO Colorado
Home Value $707,635 $404,223 N/A $535,778
5-Year CAGR 1.9% 1.5% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,314 $2,467 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 80301? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 47% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 80301 (Boulder, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Boulder County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

All County Boulder provides full-service residential property management in Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, and Lyons, CO, focusing on maximizing rental property investment returns. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Boom Properties offers commercial property management and owners association management services in the Boulder Area. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Dean Callan & Company provides property management services. 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
Fair
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Boulder, CO metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
55%
Days Pending
1/2
59 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $707,635
Monthly Rent $2,314
Price-to-Rent 25.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 4.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -2.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
3.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 80301

Population: 25,252

💰 Median Household Income
$88,846
This area
$88,846
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
46.6%
This area
46.6%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
68.7%
This area
68.7%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.8 years
This area
37.8 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.1%
Other/Mixed 9.5%
Hispanic/Latino 7.0%
Asian 3.6%
Black/African American 0.7%
👶 Under 18
13.2%
This area
13.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.3%
This area
15.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
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 80301

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.6:1 Avg Class Size
$17,381 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Heatherwood Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
255 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,381 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Boulder Prep Charter High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
115 Students
👨‍🏫
10.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,381 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 10,611 Off-Campus Students
C
Dr. Ida Rolf Institute
24 students · 1.3 mi
C
Naropa University
1,117 students · 4.3 mi
B
University of Colorado Boulder
41,432 students · 4.7 mi
C
Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture
36 students · 5.2 mi
D
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder
8,571 students · 5.2 mi
D
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
321 students · 10.1 mi
C+
Front Range Community College
21,096 students · 13.2 mi
C+
Elevate Salon Institute-Westminster
115 students · 14.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 10,611 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boulder, CO a smart market for rental property?

Boulder, CO rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $708K and rents near $2,314/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

Which investment style suits Boulder, CO?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Boulder, CO. The numbers - $708K homes against $2,314/mo rents - support that play.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Boulder, CO?

The tenant pool in Boulder, CO is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,314/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is Boulder, CO suited for a house hack?

House hacking in Boulder, CO is a challenging. With home values around $708K and rents at $2,314/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

How much do tenants pay in Boulder, CO?

Boulder, CO rentals go for roughly $2,314/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $708K acquisition costs.

You know 80301 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 80301 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 80301 ranks in Boulder, CO

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