Real Estate Investing in Mackay, Idaho (83251)

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

Custer County • Population: 1,322 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 83251 (Mackay, ID)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

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: 37.8% 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 Mackay, ID (83251)?

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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 $323,252
Avg Monthly Rent $1,197
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,553
% Renters 14.2%

Market Analysis: 83251 Mackay

Looking more closely, ZIP 83251 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $323K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 83251 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Stepping back, 83251 offers a low basis, the region around Mackay has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Resident income in 83251 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 83251 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $323K 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 Mackay:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,197/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 83251

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$123,445/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $278,990 $1,330 3.4% +11.4% $139,495
3BR $388,255 $1,820 3.4% +10.4% $129,418
4BR $493,779 $2,160 3.1% +10.7% $123,445

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$343K$296K$249K$202K$155K$108KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 83251 Compare?

Metric 83251 Mackay Idaho
Home Value $323,252 $323,252 $465,545
5-Year CAGR 2.8% 2.8% 7.2%
Avg Rent $1,197 $1,197 -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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

💡 Why Invest in 83251? 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 83251 (Mackay, ID). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $323,252
Monthly Rent $1,197
Price-to-Rent 22.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 5.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
37.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 83251

Population: 1,322

💰 Median Household Income
$67,553
This area
$67,553
State
$66,158
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.2%
This area
14.2%
State
22.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-5.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
11.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.5 years
This area
57.5 years
State
21.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
37.8%
This area
37.8%
State
22.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.7%
Other/Mixed 14.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
👶 Under 18
12.8%
This area
12.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.2%
This area
27.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.1%
This area
8.1%
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 83251

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$12,140 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

MACKAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
111 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,140 Per Student
B Good

MACKAY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
102 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,140 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

What is the smart move for investors in Mackay, ID?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Mackay, ID. With home values at $323K and rents near $1,197/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.

How strong is the working-renter base in Mackay, ID?

Tenant quality in Mackay, ID ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $1,197/mo.

What is the average monthly rent in Mackay, ID?

The typical rental in Mackay, ID commands about $1,197/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $323K purchase basis.

How high is vacancy risk in Mackay, ID?

Vacancy in Mackay, ID is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,197/mo.

Does house hacking make sense in Mackay, ID?

For house hackers, Mackay, ID is a challenging. The $1,197/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $323K property.

You know 83251 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 83251 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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