Real Estate Investing in Carbondale, Colorado (81623)

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

Garfield County • Population: 16,349 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81623 (Carbondale, 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
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
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 31.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Carbondale, CO (81623)?

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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 $1,373,354
Avg Monthly Rent $3,640
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $98,549
% Renters 32.0%

Market Analysis: 81623 Carbondale

ZIP 81623 inside Garfield County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $1.4M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 81623 is healthy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $1.4M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 81623 and stronger Carbondale ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Resident income in 81623 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 81623 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $1.4M are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Carbondale:

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 13.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,640/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
Glenwood Springs, CO Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
6.7%
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 Glenwood Springs, CO metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 81623

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
2.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+14.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$409,507/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $578,958 $1,770 2.2% +9.8% $578,958
2BR $819,013 $2,290 2.0% +10.5% $409,507
3BR $1,255,300 $3,060 1.8% +12.2% $418,433
4BR $1,859,192 $3,480 1.3% +13.9% $464,798
5BR $2,676,062 +14.6% $535,212

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.5M$1.2M$993K$756K$519K$282KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$4,355$4,202$4,048$3,894$3,741$3,587Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81623 Compare?

Metric 81623 Carbondale Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
Home Value $1,373,354 $1,373,354 N/A $535,778
5-Year CAGR 7.9% 7.9% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $3,640 $3,640 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 81623? 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 81623 (Carbondale, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.9%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Glenwood Springs, CO metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
67%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,373,354
Monthly Rent $3,640
Price-to-Rent 31.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.2%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -4.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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
10.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81623

Population: 16,349

💰 Median Household Income
$98,549
This area
$98,549
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.0%
This area
32.0%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
50.4%
This area
50.4%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.3 years
This area
41.3 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.5%
This area
10.5%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.2%
Other/Mixed 15.3%
Hispanic/Latino 13.8%
Black/African American 0.9%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
18.2%
This area
18.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.4%
This area
6.4%
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 81623

B Avg School Grade
7 Schools
14.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,672 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Carbondale Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
354 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,558 Per Student
A Very Good

Crystal River Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
447 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,558 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Carbondale Community Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
140 Students
👨‍🏫
8.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,558 Per Student
B Good

Roaring Fork High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
453 Students
👨‍🏫
21.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,558 Per Student
B Good

Bridges

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
76 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,558 Per Student
C+ Average

Marble Charter School

📚 K – 10 High School Charter
👥
45 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,944 Per Student
C+ Average

Ross Montessori School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
213 Students
👨‍🏫
20.8:1 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

Is house hacking profitable in Carbondale, CO?

Carbondale, CO is a a tougher market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $1.4M price point reasonable to enter.

Is the tenant base reliable in Carbondale, CO?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Carbondale, CO. The rental market absorbs $3,640/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What is the smart move for investors in Carbondale, CO?

For Carbondale, CO, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Are landlord laws favorable in Carbondale, CO?

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

What monthly rent should investors expect in Carbondale, CO?

Investors in Carbondale, CO typically see rents near $3,640/mo per month against $1.4M home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

You know 81623 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 81623 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 81623 ranks in Glenwood Springs, CO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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