Real Estate Investing in Prescott, Arizona (86301)

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

Yavapai County • Population: 26,204 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 86301 (Prescott, AZ)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (38/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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: 12.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Prescott, AZ (86301)?

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.
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 $534,808
Avg Monthly Rent $1,945
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,617
% Renters 29.2%

Market Analysis: 86301 Prescott

This part of Yavapai County is not an easy win. The 86301 ZIP stands at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $535K asset, 86301 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

The gap between 86301 and stronger Prescott ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

A significant renter share of 29% in 86301 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

New investors are better served looking at Prescott's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 86301. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Prescott:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.6× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,945/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
75 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.8%
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 Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 86301

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$158,775/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $363,284 $1,920 3.8% +5.7% $181,642
3BR $556,664 $2,670 3.5% +7.0% $185,555
4BR $707,847 $2,930 3.0% +7.1% $176,962
5BR $793,877 +7.2% $158,775

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$575K$491K$407K$322K$238K$154KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,974$1,888$1,802$1,716$1,630$1,544Mar 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 86301 Compare?

Metric 86301 Prescott Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ Arizona
Home Value $534,808 $455,781 N/A $419,643
5-Year CAGR 3.1% 3.0% N/A 6.5%
Avg Rent $1,945 $1,755 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 86301? 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 →
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 86301 (Prescott, AZ). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 86301 (Prescott, AZ)?

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

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.1%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $534,808
Monthly Rent $1,945
Price-to-Rent 22.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 6.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
12.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 86301

Population: 26,204

💰 Median Household Income
$70,617
This area
$70,617
State
$66,355
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.2%
This area
29.2%
State
28.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-23.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
37.4%
This area
37.4%
State
-1.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
58.6 years
This area
58.6 years
State
11.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.6%
This area
12.6%
State
19.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.0%
Other/Mixed 10.5%
Hispanic/Latino 5.3%
Asian 2.2%
Black/African American 0.3%
👶 Under 18
13.4%
This area
13.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
39.0%
This area
39.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
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 86301

C+ Avg School Grade
15 Schools
17.7:1 Avg Class Size
$17,941 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

MICTED - Culinary

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$41,237 Per Student
B Good

Taylor Hicks School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
393 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$10,458 Per Student
B Good

MICTED - Yavapai College CTEC

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
47 Students
💰
$41,237 Per Student
B Good

MIJTED - Prescott High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
2 Students
💰
$41,237 Per Student
C+ Average

Aspire High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
56 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,042 Per Student
C+ Average

Discovery Gardens Preschool

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
137 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$10,458 Per Student
C+ Average

BASIS Prescott

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter Limited Data
👥
599 Students
💰
$11,599 Per Student
C+ Average

Mountain Oak Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter Limited Data
👥
90 Students
💰
$14,870 Per Student
C Below Average

La Tierra Community School

📚 K – 08 School Charter Limited Data
👥
139 Students
💰
$12,198 Per Student
C Below Average

Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy

📚 07 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
👥
152 Students
💰
$11,759 Per Student
C Below Average

Tri-City College Prep

📚 05 – 12 High School Charter Limited Data
👥
280 Students
💰
$10,312 Per Student
C Below Average

Washington Traditional School

📚 K – 08 School Limited Data
💰
$10,458 Per Student
C Below Average

Prescott High School

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
1,466 Students
👨‍🏫
23.2:1 Class Size
💰
$10,458 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Willow Creek Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter Limited Data
👥
57 Students
💰
$10,329 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Genesis Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
👥
79 Students
💰
$10,458 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

3 Nearby 2,217 Off-Campus Students
C+
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
3,286 students · 2.1 mi
C+
Yavapai College
7,200 students · 3.6 mi
D
Prescott College
909 students · 4.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,217 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Prescott, AZ?

Rental vacancy in Prescott, AZ is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What is the typical renter like in Prescott, AZ?

Prescott, AZ offers a measured renter base at the $1,945/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How do home values compare in Prescott, AZ?

Homes in Prescott, AZ typically sell near $535K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

Is rental property easy to operate in Prescott, AZ?

The landlord environment in Prescott, AZ is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What is the typical rental rate in Prescott, AZ?

The typical rental in Prescott, AZ commands about $1,945/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $535K purchase basis.

You know 86301 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 86301 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 86301 ranks in Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 86301 (Prescott)

Loading...

Community Ratings

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

Be the first to rate 86301 (Prescott, AZ).

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