Boulder
Investment Analysis

Boulder, CO
Housing Market Screening

City-level home-price and one-bedroom-rent references with transparent methodology and limitations.

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City-level screening

41.1x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
2.4%
Recorded YoY field
-2.3%

Not cap rate, ROI, valuation or buy-versus-rent advice. City fields may reflect different source years.

Median Home Price
$900,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,823/mo
Median Income
$75,923
Population
105,893

Housing Screening Context

Boulder has a computed screening multiple of 41.1x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 2.4%.

These values compare separate city-level fields, not one matched property. They exclude financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, transaction costs and tenure horizon.

Recorded year-over-year price change: -2.3%. Source period and forecast assumptions should be reviewed before scenario use.

Read the transparent methodology or open the Housing Research Hub.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,823
Annual Gross $21,876

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$1,125
Insurance (~0.5%) -$375
Maintenance (~1%) -$750
Est. Net Cash Flow -$427/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Boulder Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$971K2027$999Kโ–ฒ 2.9%2028$1Mโ–ฒ 3.1%20232024Now
$1M$917K
Current
$900K
2026
Projected
$999K
โ†‘ 2.9% by 2027
Projected
$1M
โ†‘ 3.1% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+1.6%
Confidence:Low
Rยฒ:0.01
โ–ผ

Our Boulder housing market forecast for 2026-2028 suggests a period of modest price stabilization and potential slight declines, driven by persistent affordability challenges. With a current median home price of $927,011 and a price-to-rent ratio of 38.2x, the cost of ownership significantly outpaces renting, creating a high barrier for new buyers. The recent YoY price change of -2.2% indicates that the market has begun to cool after years of rapid appreciation. While economic fundamentals in Boulder remain strong, supported by the University of Colorado and a resilient tech sector, the 5-year CAGR of 3.6% suggests a return to more sustainable, slower growth rather than the double-digit surges seen previously.

When asking will Boulder home prices drop, the data points toward stabilization over a dramatic crash, though the "RENT" verdict highlights the immediate financial advantage of leasing. The market's current temperature of 56/100 and a solid Risk Grade of B+ suggest a balanced environment, but one where sellers must price realistically, as homes are averaging 63 days on market. Limited inventory, driven by Boulder's strict growth boundaries and high construction costs, will continue to support prices, but the high interest rate environment will cap buyer demand. For the Boulder real estate Boulder 2027 outlook, we anticipate a flat to slightly down trajectory, with values remaining within the recent 5-year price range of $773,595 โ€“ $1,017,493. This environment favors patient buyers over speculative investors.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
1.4%
5yr CAGR
+1.6%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.4%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +2.8%

Healthcare

82
Score
Excellent

Risk Factors

Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 98.2%
Months Supply 4.8
Price Drops 29%
Gone in 2 Wks 32%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Average

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Boulder.

Total ROI
-168%
on $180,000 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$302,986
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$5,212
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y1187kY2195kY3204kY4213kY5222k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$302,986
Final Equity
$222,193

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Scenario Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Cash-Flow Scenario

Pre-filled for Boulder

Property

Purchase Price$900,000
Monthly Rent$1,823
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$4,594
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$55,128/ year
-30.6%
Cash-on-Cash
-0.1%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,823
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$4,551
โˆ’ Property Tax$900
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$750
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$91
= Net Cash Flow-$4,594

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$180,000
Loan Amount
$720,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$6,417
Gross Yield
2.4%

Investor Toolkit

Research Boulder before you invest

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: July 2026