Real Estate Investing in Tucson, Arizona (85701)

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

Pima County • Population: 5,169 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 85701 (Tucson, AZ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (25/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.1% CAGR).
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.1% in the last year.
  • Higher unemployment: 8.4% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

What’s happening in Tucson, AZ (85701)?

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.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $402,347
Avg Monthly Rent $1,284
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,639
% Renters 78.6%

Market Analysis: 85701 Tucson

Meanwhile, ZIP 85701 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $402K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 85701 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $402K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within AZ, ZIP 85701 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Pima County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 85701 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Tucson:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-3.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,284/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Tucson, AZ Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
70 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.0%
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 Tucson, AZ metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 85701

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$185,045/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $413,932 $1,540 2.7% +5.3% $206,966
3BR $555,134 $2,140 2.8% +6.5% $185,045

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$453K$396K$338K$281K$223K$166KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,587$1,522$1,457$1,392$1,327$1,262Jan 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 85701 Compare?

Metric 85701 Tucson Tucson, AZ Arizona
Home Value $402,347 $199,626 N/A $419,643
5-Year CAGR 1.1% 3.2% N/A 6.5%
Avg Rent $1,284 $1,466 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 3.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 85701? Click to expand

79% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 85701 (Tucson, AZ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 85701 (Tucson, AZ)?

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

Property managers serving Pima County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Fort Lowell Realty & Property Management provides realty and property management services in Tucson. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

WilsonPs.com is a domain name for sale. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.1%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Tucson, AZ metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
57%
Days Pending
2/2
70 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $402,347
Monthly Rent $1,284
Price-to-Rent 26.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.8%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 3.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -3.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -15.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -5.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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
15.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.1%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 85701

Population: 5,169

💰 Median Household Income
$52,639
This area
$52,639
State
$66,355
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
78.6%
This area
78.6%
State
28.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
State
-23.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
55.5%
This area
55.5%
State
-1.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.5 years
This area
38.5 years
State
11.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
19.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.4%
Other/Mixed 26.6%
Hispanic/Latino 16.3%
Asian 4.1%
Black/African American 1.9%
👶 Under 18
10.1%
This area
10.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.0%
This area
17.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.4%
This area
14.4%
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 85701

B Avg School Grade
7 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$16,113 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Drachman Primary Magnet School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
308 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,118 Per Student
A Very Good

Safford K-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
362 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,118 Per Student
B Good

Davis Bilingual Magnet School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,118 Per Student
B Good

Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
298 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,118 Per Student
B Good

Pima County Schools Superintendent's Diploma Program

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
1,897 Students
💰
$30,424 Per Student
C+ Average

City High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
👥
177 Students
💰
$14,948 Per Student
C+ Average

Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown

📚 06 – 08 Middle Charter Limited Data
👥
62 Students
💰
$14,948 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Pima County JTED - Bridges Day Program

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 3300 S Park Ave, Tucson
👥
4 Students
👨‍🏫
0.3:1 Class Size
💰
$85,487 Per Student
A Very Good

Frances Owen Holaway Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 3500 N CHERRY AVE, TUCSON
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,759 Per Student
A Very Good

Pueblo Gardens Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 2210 E 33RD ST, TUCSON
👥
323 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,118 Per Student
A Very Good

Rio Vista Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1351 E LIMBERLOST DR, TUCSON
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$11,759 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Borton Primary Magnet School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 700 E 22ND ST, TUCSON
👥
279 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,118 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

8 Nearby 8,575 Off-Campus Students
C
Aveda Institute-Tucson
264 students · 0.3 mi
C
Carrington College-Tucson
437 students · 0.9 mi
B
University of Arizona
53,001 students · 1.6 mi
C+
Pure Aesthetics Natural Skincare School
53 students · 2.8 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Tucson
213 students · 2.9 mi
C
Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
20 students · 4.1 mi
C
Tucson College of Beauty
134 students · 4.5 mi
C
Pima Community College
15,819 students · 5.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 8,575 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Tucson, AZ?

Expect rents around $1,284/mo per month in Tucson, AZ. With home values at $402K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Are renters plentiful in Tucson, AZ?

Tucson, AZ draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $1,284/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How strict are landlord regulations in Tucson, AZ?

Tucson, AZ operates under AZ law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Does house hacking make sense in Tucson, AZ?

House hacking in Tucson, AZ is reasonable to execute. Prices around $402K and rents of $1,284/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Tucson, AZ?

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

You know 85701 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 85701 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

How 85701 ranks in Tucson, AZ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 85701 (Tucson)

Loading...

Community Ratings

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

Be the first to rate 85701 (Tucson, AZ).

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