Real Estate Investing in Rangely, Colorado (81648)

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

Rio Blanco County • Population: 2,832 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 81648 (Rangely, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (53/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 22.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Rangely, CO (81648)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $230,297
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,645
% Renters 18.0%

Market Analysis: 81648 Rangely

This part of Rio Blanco County is not an easy win. The 81648 ZIP comes in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $230K asset, 81648 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Regionally, 81648 sits on the difficult end of the CO spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Who lives in 81648 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

New investors are better served looking at Rangely's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 81648. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Rangely:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 81648

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+4.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$67,575/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $135,150 $970 5.2% +4.2% $67,575
3BR $219,896 $1,240 4.1% +4.1% $73,299
4BR $272,751 $1,530 4.0% +4.3% $68,188

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$238K$215K$191K$167K$144K$120KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 81648 Compare?

Metric 81648 Rangely Colorado
Home Value $230,297 $230,297 $535,778
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 81648? 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 81648 (Rangely, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 81648 (Rangely, CO)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $230,297
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 22.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 6.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
22.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81648

Population: 2,832

💰 Median Household Income
$70,645
This area
$70,645
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.0%
This area
18.0%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.5 years
This area
37.5 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.3%
This area
22.3%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.6%
Other/Mixed 12.6%
Hispanic/Latino 7.0%
Black/African American 0.7%
👶 Under 18
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
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 81648

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.9:1 Avg Class Size
$15,271 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Rangely Junior/Senior High School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
261 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,271 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Parkview Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
241 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,271 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

1 Nearby 326 Off-Campus Students
C
Colorado Northwestern Community College
1,256 students · 9.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical rental rate in Rangely, CO?

The typical rental in Rangely, CO commands about $873/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $230K purchase basis.

Are tenants stable in Rangely, CO?

Rangely, CO draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $873/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is Rangely in CO worth investing in?

Our data puts Rangely, CO at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $230K and rents around $873/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Are homes affordable in Rangely, CO?

Rangely, CO home values average about $230K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $873/mo in monthly income.

How should investors approach Rangely, CO?

In Rangely, CO the notable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $230K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

You know 81648 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 81648 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.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 81648 (Rangely)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 81648 (Rangely, CO).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.