Is El Paso County, CO good for real estate investing?

El Paso County has an investment score of 42/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #729 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in El Paso?

The rent-to-price ratio in El Paso County is 4.68% annually, which ranks in the 19th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in El Paso?

The median home price in El Paso County is $455,749. This ranks #908 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in El Paso?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in El Paso County would generate negative cash flow of $1,234/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

El Paso County

ColoradoPopulation: 730,323

/100

Avoid

#729 of 1,000 counties

#36 in Colorado (62 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated July 20, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$455,749

Median Home Price

99% above national median

$1,777/mo

Median Rent

23% above national median

4.68%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 81% nationally

-$1,234

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,777/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$341,812	-$637/mo	4.0%	-9.7%
Median typical MLS deal	$455,749	-$1,234/mo	3.0%	-14.1%
125% of median newer / premium	$569,687	-$1,832/mo	2.4%	-16.8%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$455,749

Down Payment (20%)$91,150

Loan Amount$364,599

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,777

Monthly P&I-$2,389

Est. Expenses (35%)-$622

Net Cash Flow-$1,234/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.68%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

42/100

Cash Flow(30%)

40/100

Based on 4.68% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

41/100

Based on -1.7% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

35/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.68%)
-Declining home values (-1.7% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,234/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

730,323

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
HuerfanoCO	43	$255,971	Est. pending	—	Avoid	View
AdamsCO	43	$476,776	$1,895	4.77%	Avoid	View
CurrentEl PasoCO	42	$455,749	$1,777	4.68%	Avoid
BroomfieldCO	42	$611,656	$2,031	3.98%	Avoid	View
WeldCO	42	$491,272	$1,695	4.14%	Avoid	View
San MiguelCO	42	$1,552,494	Est. pending	—	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

AvoidEl Paso may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

El Paso County in Colorado scores 42/100, ranking #729 of 1,000 US counties (top 93%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $1234/month; the 4.68% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,234/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.1%

Related markets

Markets like El Paso with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to El Paso

Huerfano County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Colorado →

Rent vs buy in Colorado cities

Rent vs buy in Denver, COMedian $532,579 · rent $1,859/mo Rent vs buy in Colorado Springs, COMedian $446,355 · rent $1,707/mo Rent vs buy in Aurora, COMedian $507,157 · rent $1,789/mo Rent vs buy in Fort Collins, COMedian $542,283 · rent $1,881/mo Rent vs buy in Lakewood, COMedian $609,991 · rent $1,904/mo All Colorado citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

Ready to Analyze a Deal in El Paso?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

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Scenario comparison

Same $1,777/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$341,812	-$637/mo	4.0%	-9.7%
Median typical MLS deal	$455,749	-$1,234/mo	3.0%	-14.1%
125% of median newer / premium	$569,687	-$1,832/mo	2.4%	-16.8%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$455,749

Down Payment (20%)$91,150

Loan Amount$364,599

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,777

Monthly P&I-$2,389

Est. Expenses (35%)-$622

Net Cash Flow-$1,234/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.68%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

42/100

Cash Flow(30%)

40/100

Based on 4.68% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

41/100

Based on -1.7% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

35/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

County

Verdict

HuerfanoCO

$255,971

Est. pending

—

Avoid

View

AdamsCO

$476,776

$1,895

4.77%

Avoid

View

CurrentEl PasoCO

$455,749

$1,777

4.68%

Avoid

BroomfieldCO

$611,656

$2,031

3.98%

Avoid

View

WeldCO

$491,272

$1,695

4.14%

Avoid

View

San MiguelCO

$1,552,494

Est. pending

—

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

AvoidEl Paso may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,234/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.1%