Real Estate Investing in Santa Fe, New Mexico (87508)

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

Santa Fe County • Population: 18,745 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 87508 (Santa Fe, NM)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Santa Fe, NM (87508)?

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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 $658,576
Avg Monthly Rent $2,925
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $87,750
% Renters 9.9%

Market Analysis: 87508 Santa Fe

This part of Santa Fe County is not an easy win. The 87508 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 87508 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $659K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 87508's metrics run below Santa Fe County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 87508 ZIP's population of 18,745 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that posts the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 87508, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,925/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 87508

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$177,412/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $410,528 $1,690 3.0% +3.4% $410,528
2BR $510,426 $2,050 2.9% +6.5% $255,213
3BR $639,043 $2,580 2.9% +6.5% $213,014
4BR $769,256 $2,710 2.5% +6.8% $192,314
5BR $887,060 +6.6% $177,412

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$686K$606K$526K$445K$365K$285KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,935$2,933$2,931$2,928$2,926$2,924Mar 2026Apr 2026Apr 2026

📊 How Does 87508 Compare?

Metric 87508 Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM New Mexico
Home Value $658,576 $356,631 N/A $308,799
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.7% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $2,925 $2,254 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 87508? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 87508 (Santa Fe, NM). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
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 $658,576
Monthly Rent $2,925
Price-to-Rent 18.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 7.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
5.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 87508

Population: 18,745

💰 Median Household Income
$87,750
This area
$87,750
State
$55,880
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.9%
This area
9.9%
State
21.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-32.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.5%
This area
47.5%
State
-18.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.6 years
This area
53.6 years
State
-44.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.4%
This area
5.4%
State
29.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.6%
Other/Mixed 23.1%
Hispanic/Latino 20.3%
Asian 1.5%
Black/African American 0.9%
👶 Under 18
15.6%
This area
15.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
31.3%
This area
31.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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 87508

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
15.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,734 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

EL DORADO COMMUNITY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,964 Per Student
B+ Above Average
👥
342 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,964 Per Student
B+ Above Average

ACADEMY FOR TECHNOLOGY & CLASSICS

📚 07 – 12 High School Charter
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,964 Per Student
B Good

TURQUOISE TRAIL CHARTER SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Charter
👥
656 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,468 Per Student
C+ Average

THE MASTERS PROGRAM

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$9,311 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

5 Nearby 1,321 Off-Campus Students
C
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
831 students · 5.8 mi
C
Santa Fe Community College
3,478 students · 6.6 mi
D
Vogue College of Cosmetology-Santa Fe
61 students · 9.8 mi
D
Southwestern College
249 students · 10.0 mi
C+
St. John's College
447 students · 10.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,321 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Santa Fe, NM?

The typical rental in Santa Fe, NM commands about $2,925/mo monthly. That rent profile reliable cash flow against the $659K purchase basis.

Does house hacking work in Santa Fe, NM?

Santa Fe, NM is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $659K price point reasonable to enter.

How does Santa Fe, NM stack up for property investment?

Our data puts Santa Fe, NM at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $659K and rents around $2,925/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

How tight is the rental market in Santa Fe, NM?

Rental vacancy in Santa Fe, NM is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How should investors approach Santa Fe, NM?

Santa Fe, NM investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($659K prices, $2,925/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 87508 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 87508 ranks in Santa Fe, NM

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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