Real Estate Investing in Tucumcari, New Mexico (88401)

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

Quay County • Population: 6,689 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 88401 (Tucumcari, NM)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
5.0 / 5 (100/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 20.7% 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 Tucumcari, NM (88401)?

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5.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $82,419
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $40,313
% Renters 36.0%

Market Analysis: 88401 Tucumcari

Investors scanning Tucumcari, NM for forced-equity plays often land on the 88401 ZIP. A a viable market for entry near $82K pairs with rents of $873/mo to widen the renovation window.

Cap rate math of 0.0% understates the return here. Post-rehab, stabilized yields climb, and the 88401 ZIP's older housing stock gives operators the opportunity set to execute.

The an appealing option for piece of regional context is that nearby ZIPs with newer stock and higher basis have priced out of the value-add game. 88401 has not.

The 88401 ZIP's demographic trend has been one of stability with upside — population of 6,689, steady renter share, and an incoming cohort that is willing to pay for improved units.

Experienced operators with contractor networks find 88401 worth a close look for. First-time flippers often underestimate scope, budget, and timeline, which is how deals here turn sour.

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 Tucumcari:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Las Vegas, NM Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
4.6%
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 Las Vegas, NM metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 88401

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
13.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$26,445/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $52,891 $970 13.2% -0.4% $26,445
3BR $103,037 $1,230 8.6% +7.4% $34,346
4BR $173,817 $1,570 6.5% $43,454

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$90K$83K$76K$69K$62K$55KNov 2010Sep 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 88401 Compare?

Metric 88401 Tucumcari Las Vegas, NM New Mexico
Home Value $82,419 $119,281 N/A $308,799
5-Year CAGR 3.4% 2.4% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $873 $1,040 N/A -
Cap Rate 8.3% 7.1% - -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

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

💡 Why Invest in 88401? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $873/mo on homes averaging $82,419 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 5/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 88401 (Tucumcari, NM). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
8.3%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+3.4%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Las Vegas, NM metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
0%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $82,419
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 7.9:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 12.7%
Cap Rate 8.3%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 8.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (8.3%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
20.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 88401

Population: 6,689

💰 Median Household Income
$40,313
This area
$40,313
State
$55,880
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.0%
This area
36.0%
State
21.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-32.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
-18.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.3 years
This area
42.3 years
State
-44.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.7%
This area
20.7%
State
29.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 70.9%
Other/Mixed 24.9%
Hispanic/Latino 21.9%
Black/African American 3.4%
Asian 0.8%
👶 Under 18
23.2%
This area
23.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.9%
This area
13.9%
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 88401

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.2:1 Avg Class Size
$15,220 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

TUCUMCARI ELEMENTARY

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
460 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,220 Per Student
B+ Above Average

TUCUMCARI HIGH

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
211 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,220 Per Student
B+ Above Average

TUCUMCARI MIDDLE

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
226 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,220 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

1 Nearby 337 Off-Campus Students
C
Mesalands Community College
482 students · 6.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you find 1% rule deals in Tucumcari, NM?

Tucumcari, NM delivers a 1.06% rent-to-price ratio on average. Investors targeting the 1% rule will find solid opportunities.

Does the BRRRR strategy work in Tucumcari, NM?

Tucumcari, NM is a strong for BRRRR. Acquiring below market, rehabbing, and leasing at $873/mo produces solid refinance appraisals against $82K values.

Is housing expensive in Tucumcari, NM?

Expect median prices around $82K in Tucumcari, NM. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

Are rents high in Tucumcari, NM?

Rental rates in Tucumcari, NM average $873/mo. Tenant demand and $82K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Which investment style suits Tucumcari, NM?

In Tucumcari, NM the durable play is typically value-add and BRRRR deals. The combination of $82K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

You know 88401 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 88401 ranks in Las Vegas, NM

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