Real Estate Investing in Salida, Colorado (81201)

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

Chaffee County • Population: 9,561 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81201 (Salida, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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: 14.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Salida, CO (81201)?

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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 $717,024
Avg Monthly Rent $2,386
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,500
% Renters 30.6%

Market Analysis: 81201 Salida

The 81201 ZIP covers a section of Salida that demands careful diligence. Prices near $717K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 81201 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within CO, ZIP 81201 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Chaffee County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 81201 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Salida averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 81201, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Salida:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 50/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 10.6× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,386/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 81201

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$233,762/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $513,537 $1,240 1.7% +7.5% $513,537
2BR $617,512 $1,620 1.9% +8.3% $308,756
3BR $735,800 $2,250 2.2% +7.9% $245,267
4BR $935,047 $2,540 2.0% +8.4% $233,762

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$758K$648K$538K$428K$318K$208KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,452$2,404$2,357$2,309$2,261$2,213Aug 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81201 Compare?

Metric 81201 Salida Colorado
Home Value $717,024 $717,024 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 4.3% 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,386 $2,386 -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 81201? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 81201 (Salida, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $717,024
Monthly Rent $2,386
Price-to-Rent 25.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 6.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
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
14.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81201

Population: 9,561

💰 Median Household Income
$67,500
This area
$67,500
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.6%
This area
30.6%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.2%
This area
47.2%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.0 years
This area
47.0 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 88.8%
Other/Mixed 9.5%
Hispanic/Latino 4.3%
Asian 1.6%
👶 Under 18
16.9%
This area
16.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.3%
This area
28.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.5%
This area
17.5%
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 81201

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
13.5:1 Avg Class Size
$16,657 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Salida Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
311 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,657 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Longfellow Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
447 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,657 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Salida Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
66 Students
👨‍🏫
7.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,657 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Salida High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
404 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,657 Per Student
B Good

Crest Academy

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
56 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,657 Per Student
B Good

Horizons Exploratory Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
38 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,657 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

How landlord-friendly is Salida, CO?

Landlord-friendliness in Salida, CO is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Is Salida in CO worth investing in?

Investors tracking Salida, CO will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $717K median home values and $2,386/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

What is the renter demographic in Salida, CO?

Salida, CO offers a reliable renter base at the $2,386/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What does house hacking look like in Salida, CO?

For house hackers, Salida, CO is a challenging. The $2,386/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $717K property.

Where do home prices stand in Salida, CO?

Salida, CO median home values land near $717K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,386/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 81201 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 81201 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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