Real Estate Investing in Saint Johns, Arizona (85936)

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

Apache County • Population: 3,966 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 85936 (Saint Johns, AZ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 36.2% 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 Saint Johns, AZ (85936)?

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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 $242,672
Avg Monthly Rent $1,062
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $84,141
% Renters 16.2%

Market Analysis: 85936 Saint Johns

ZIP 85936 inside Apache County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $243K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 85936 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $243K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Saint Johns have seen price recovery that 85936 has not matched. Apache County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

From an investor standpoint, 3,966 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 85936 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Saint Johns:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,062/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$254K$221K$187K$154K$120K$86KFeb 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 85936 Compare?

Metric 85936 Saint Johns Arizona
Home Value $242,672 $242,672 $419,643
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% 6.5%
Avg Rent $1,062 $1,062 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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

💡 Why Invest in 85936? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 85936 (Saint Johns, AZ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $242,672
Monthly Rent $1,062
Price-to-Rent 19.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
36.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 85936

Population: 3,966

💰 Median Household Income
$84,141
This area
$84,141
State
$66,355
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
28.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-23.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.9%
This area
18.9%
State
-1.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.6 years
This area
33.6 years
State
11.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
36.2%
This area
36.2%
State
19.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.7%
Other/Mixed 21.1%
Hispanic/Latino 12.7%
Black/African American 7.2%
👶 Under 18
34.0%
This area
34.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
8.1%
This area
8.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
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 85936

C+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
18.8:1 Avg Class Size
$24,704 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

St Johns High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
310 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,556 Per Student
B Good

St Johns Middle School

📚 04 – 08 School
👥
327 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$11,556 Per Student
B Good

NAVIT - St. Johns High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$51,000 Per Student
B Good

NAVIT - Northland Pioneer College STJ

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
5 Students
💰
$51,000 Per Student
C+ Average

Coronado Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
255 Students
👨‍🏫
18.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,556 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

St. Johns Learning Center

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
23 Students
👨‍🏫
23.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,556 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

Does house hacking work in Saint Johns, AZ?

House hacking works a challenging in Saint Johns, AZ. Rents of $1,062/mo against $243K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Saint Johns, AZ?

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

What is the renter demographic in Saint Johns, AZ?

Saint Johns, AZ offers a reliable renter base at the $1,062/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Saint Johns, AZ?

Occupancy in Saint Johns, AZ runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,062/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Saint Johns, AZ?

Average rent in Saint Johns, AZ is approximately $1,062/mo per month. Against $243K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

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