Real Estate Investing in Rifle, Colorado (81650)

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

Garfield County • Population: 14,071 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 81650 (Rifle, CO)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (56/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Rifle, CO (81650)?

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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 $503,823
Avg Monthly Rent $2,367
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,560
% Renters 24.9%

Market Analysis: 81650 Rifle

Investors eyeing 81650 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $504K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Rent of $2,367/mo on a $504K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 81650 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 81650 among CO's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 81650 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The right play in 81650 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Rifle:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 59/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,367/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 81650

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$130,220/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $328,365 $1,440 3.2% +8.5% $164,183
3BR $480,560 $2,020 3.0% +9.1% $160,187
4BR $583,131 $2,220 2.7% +9.7% $145,783
5BR $651,098 +9.6% $130,220

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$536K$448K$360K$273K$185K$98KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,397$2,369$2,341$2,313$2,286$2,258Apr 2026May 2026Jun 2026

📊 How Does 81650 Compare?

Metric 81650 Rifle Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
Home Value $503,823 $503,823 N/A $535,778
5-Year CAGR 6.7% 6.7% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,367 $2,367 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% - -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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

💡 Why Invest in 81650? 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 81650 (Rifle, CO). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.7%
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 $503,823
Monthly Rent $2,367
Price-to-Rent 17.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
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: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
6.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 81650

Population: 14,071

💰 Median Household Income
$75,560
This area
$75,560
State
$79,719
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.9%
This area
24.9%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-25.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.5%
This area
15.5%
State
5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.1 years
This area
33.1 years
State
-0.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.5%
This area
6.5%
State
18.7%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.4%
Other/Mixed 22.0%
Hispanic/Latino 18.9%
Asian 0.4%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
28.4%
This area
28.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
8.8%
This area
8.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.1%
This area
7.1%
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 81650

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
16.3:1 Avg Class Size
$13,949 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Highland Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,949 Per Student
B Good

Graham Mesa Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
427 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,949 Per Student
B Good

Rifle Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
586 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,949 Per Student
B Good

Wamsley Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
402 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,949 Per Student
C+ Average

Rifle High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
839 Students
👨‍🏫
20.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,949 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 tight is the rental market in Rifle, CO?

Vacancy risk in Rifle, CO is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

What price range are homes in Rifle, CO?

Median home price in Rifle, CO is near $504K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been stable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Is Rifle, CO a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Rifle, CO a 3.0/5 investability score. With $504K home prices against $2,367/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Rifle, CO?

CO law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Rifle inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What approach is best for Rifle, CO real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Rifle, CO. The numbers - $504K homes against $2,367/mo rents - support that play.

You know 81650 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 81650 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 81650 ranks in Glenwood Springs, CO

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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