Real Estate Investing in Santa Fe, New Mexico (87506)

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

Santa Fe County • Population: 16,055 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 87506 (Santa Fe, NM)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (26/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 37.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Santa Fe, NM (87506)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,116,930
Avg Monthly Rent $2,486
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $77,807
% Renters 18.9%

Market Analysis: 87506 Santa Fe

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Santa Fe's 87506 ZIP shows signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $1.1M pricing implies.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 87506 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

The gap between 87506 and stronger Santa Fe ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 87506 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 87506 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $1.1M 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 Santa Fe:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 14.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,486/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Santa Fe, NM Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
58 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.3%
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 Santa Fe, NM metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 87506

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
2.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$304,976/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $420,909 $1,240 2.1% +3.5% $420,909
2BR $609,952 $1,500 1.8% +5.6% $304,976
3BR $1,177,872 $1,890 1.2% +7.8% $392,624
4BR $1,475,971 $2,130 1.0% +8.7% $368,993
5BR $2,003,216 +8.9% $400,643

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.2M$1.0M$887K$749K$610K$471KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,051$2,929$2,808$2,687$2,565$2,444Mar 2026May 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 87506 Compare?

Metric 87506 Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM New Mexico
Home Value $1,116,930 $356,631 N/A $308,799
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $2,486 $2,254 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.7% 2.6% - -
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 87506 (Santa Fe, NM). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Santa Fe, NM metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
67%
Days Pending
1/2
58 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,116,930
Monthly Rent $2,486
Price-to-Rent 37.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.7%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 5.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 87506

Population: 16,055

💰 Median Household Income
$77,807
This area
$77,807
State
$55,880
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.9%
This area
18.9%
State
21.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-32.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
43.8%
This area
43.8%
State
-18.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.7 years
This area
53.7 years
State
-44.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
29.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 56.6%
Other/Mixed 41.3%
Hispanic/Latino 23.2%
Black/African American 1.2%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
16.2%
This area
16.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.5%
This area
31.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.5%
This area
9.5%
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 87506

B Avg School Grade
8 Schools
12.2:1 Avg Class Size
$13,057 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

TESUQUE ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
68 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,964 Per Student
B+ Above Average

PABLO ROYBAL ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
399 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,276 Per Student
B+ Above Average

POJOAQUE MIDDLE

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
258 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$12,276 Per Student
B Good

POJOAQUE HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
593 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,276 Per Student
B Good

SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY

📚 Grade 06 Middle
👥
115 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$12,276 Per Student
B Good

POJOAQUE INTERMEDIATE

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
192 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,276 Per Student
B Good

San Ildefonso Day School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
40 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
B Good

Te Tsu Geh Oweenge Day School

📚 K – 06 School
👥
24 Students
👨‍🏫
4.8:1 Class Size
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

5 Nearby 1,818 Off-Campus Students
C+
St. John's College
447 students · 11.1 mi
D
Vogue College of Cosmetology-Santa Fe
61 students · 11.2 mi
D
Southwestern College
249 students · 13.6 mi
C+
Northern New Mexico College
1,310 students · 14.2 mi
C
Santa Fe Community College
3,478 students · 15.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,818 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santa Fe, NM a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Santa Fe, NM will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $1.1M median home values and $2,486/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.

What is the renter demographic in Santa Fe, NM?

Tenant quality in Santa Fe, NM ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $2,486/mo.

What do landlords charge for rent in Santa Fe, NM?

Expect rents around $2,486/mo per month in Santa Fe, NM. With home values at $1.1M, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Santa Fe, NM?

Occupancy in Santa Fe, NM runs stable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $2,486/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Does Santa Fe, NM favor landlords or tenants?

Santa Fe, NM operates under NM law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect steady treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

You know 87506 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 87506 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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How 87506 ranks in Santa Fe, NM

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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