Real Estate Investing in Sierra Vista, Arizona (85635)

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

Cochise County • Population: 34,958 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 85635 (Sierra Vista, AZ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Sierra Vista, AZ (85635)?

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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 $270,489
Avg Monthly Rent $1,315
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,167
% Renters 39.1%

Market Analysis: 85635 Sierra Vista

ZIP 85635 in Sierra Vista, AZ carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $270K and rents of $1,315/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $270K asset, 85635 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader AZ picture, 85635 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 85635 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Sierra Vista averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 85635 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Sierra Vista:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,315/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.2%
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 Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 85635

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$83,517/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $193,230 $1,280 4.8% +9.0% $96,615
3BR $261,468 $1,780 4.9% +7.9% $87,156
4BR $334,066 $2,150 4.6% +7.1% $83,517

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$282K$254K$225K$197K$168K$140KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,331$1,285$1,239$1,193$1,146$1,100Nov 2022Sep 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 85635 Compare?

Metric 85635 Sierra Vista Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ Arizona
Home Value $270,489 $317,628 N/A $419,643
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 4.4% N/A 6.5%
Avg Rent $1,315 $1,657 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 4.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 85635? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 39% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 85635 (Sierra Vista, AZ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $270,489
Monthly Rent $1,315
Price-to-Rent 17.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
9.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 85635

Population: 34,958

💰 Median Household Income
$62,167
This area
$62,167
State
$66,355
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
39.1%
This area
39.1%
State
28.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-23.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.3%
This area
30.3%
State
-1.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.4 years
This area
39.4 years
State
11.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
19.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 68.3%
Other/Mixed 20.7%
Hispanic/Latino 14.0%
Black/African American 6.6%
Asian 4.5%
👶 Under 18
22.0%
This area
22.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
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

🎓 Schools in 85635

C Avg School Grade
17 Schools
19.1:1 Avg Class Size
$10,662 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Pueblo Del Sol Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
343 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C+ Average

Bella Vista Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
280 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C+ Average

Berean Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter Limited Data
👥
351 Students
💰
$11,811 Per Student
C+ Average

Center for Academic Success #5 - Sierra Vista K-8

📚 K – 08 School Charter Limited Data
👥
372 Students
💰
$13,215 Per Student
C+ Average

Joyce Clark Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
563 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C+ Average

Town & Country Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
428 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C+ Average

Village Meadows Elementary School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C+ Average

Carmichael Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
299 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C Below Average

Leman Academy of Excellence-Sierra Vista

📚 K – 08 School Charter Limited Data
👥
510 Students
💰
$8,230 Per Student
C Below Average

CTD - Buena High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

Buena High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
1,750 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C Below Average

Carmichael Elementary Preschool

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C Below Average

Sierra Vista Online

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$10,121 Per Student
C Below Average

Center for Academic Success #1 - Sierra Vista 9-12

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
👥
137 Students
💰
$13,215 Per Student
C Below Average

CTD - Cochise College

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
15 Students
D Needs Improvement

PPEP TEC - Colin L. Powell Learning Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
👥
94 Students
💰
$12,255 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

SVUSD AOI

📚 K – 12 K-12 Limited Data
👥
33 Students
💰
$10,121 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 1,720 Off-Campus Students
C+
Cochise County Community College District
3,782 students · 4.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,720 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sierra Vista in AZ worth investing in?

Sierra Vista, AZ scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $270K and rents near $1,315/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What approach is best for Sierra Vista, AZ real estate?

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

Should investors worry about vacancy in Sierra Vista, AZ?

Sierra Vista, AZ carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect even-keeled absorption at market rents of $1,315/mo.

Can I house hack in Sierra Vista, AZ?

The house hack math a challenging in Sierra Vista, AZ. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $1,315/mo rents and $270K home values.

What is the renter demographic in Sierra Vista, AZ?

The renter base in Sierra Vista, AZ is reasonable for the $1,315/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

You know 85635 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 85635 ranks in Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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