Real Estate Investing in Mount Crested Butte, Colorado (81225)

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

Gunnison County • Population: 829 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81225 (Mount Crested Butte, 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: 70.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 36.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Mount Crested Butte, CO (81225)?

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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 $684,370
Avg Monthly Rent $1,557
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $101,550
% Renters 28.1%

Market Analysis: 81225 Mount Crested Butte

The 81225 ZIP covers a section of Mount Crested Butte that demands careful diligence. Prices near $684K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The investment case in 81225 is durable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $684K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Mount Crested Butte have seen price recovery that 81225 has not matched. Gunnison County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Who lives in 81225 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 81225, 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 Mount Crested Butte:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,557/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 81225

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
1BR
$258,630/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $258,630 $1,490 4.1% +3.8% $258,630
2BR $611,517 $1,730 2.0% +6.1% $305,759
3BR $988,754 $2,410 1.8% +8.0% $329,585
4BR $1,764,039 $2,900 1.2% +9.9% $441,010

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$742K$626K$509K$392K$275K$159KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81225 Compare?

Metric 81225 Mount Crested Butte Colorado
Home Value $684,370 $684,370 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,557 $1,557 -
Cap Rate 1.8% 1.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 81225? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 81225 (Mount Crested Butte, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $684,370
Monthly Rent $1,557
Price-to-Rent 36.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.7%
Cap Rate 1.8%
5-Year IRR 6.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.8%). 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
70.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81225

Population: 829

💰 Median Household Income
$101,550
This area
$101,550
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.1%
This area
28.1%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
81.3%
This area
81.3%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.4 years
This area
43.4 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
70.2%
This area
70.2%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.3%
Other/Mixed 2.7%
👶 Under 18
9.8%
This area
9.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.1%
This area
11.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Mount Crested Butte, CO?

Rental vacancy in Mount Crested Butte, CO is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What kind of tenants rent in Mount Crested Butte, CO?

Mount Crested Butte, CO offers a predictable renter base at the $1,557/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is Mount Crested Butte, CO good for house hacking?

The house hack math a challenging in Mount Crested Butte, CO. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,557/mo rents and $684K home values.

Is Mount Crested Butte, CO a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Mount Crested Butte, CO rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Are homes affordable in Mount Crested Butte, CO?

Mount Crested Butte, CO median home values land near $684K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,557/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 81225 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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