Yuma, AZ Cap Rate 4.19%
Yuma is a mid-range market in the West with a small but investable metro of 50,000. At a 4.19% estimated cap rate, this is a moderate market where rents of $1,380/mo lag behind home prices. With a median home price of $280,000 and steady population growth supports long-term rental demand, Yuma offers opportunities for investors who source deals carefully.
Market data powered by Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) · Updated Feb 2026
Market Data
2026 Market Update: Yuma
Yuma's 0.5% rent-to-price ratio is well below the 1% rule. At median prices of $280,000, the $1,380/mo rent produces only $977/mo in NOI. Investors here need to target below-median properties or pursue value-add strategies to make the numbers work.
At current rates, a 20% down conventional loan ($56K at 7%) would result in approximately $-513/mo cash flow — negative at median prices. Larger down payments, seller financing, or buying 15–25% below median are strategies to turn the numbers positive.
With 1.6% annual population growth paired with 3% home appreciation, Yuma offers a rare combination of current cash flow and future equity upside. The 16.9x gross rent multiplier suggests the market hasn't fully priced in this growth trajectory.
Deal Modeling & Scenarios for Yuma
All figures below are computed from Yuma's real market medians. Use them as a baseline; override with property-specific numbers in the calculators.
Property Tax Bill in Real Dollars
At 0.63% effective rate on the $280,000 median price, the annual tax bill is $1,764 — that's below national average (-41% vs the national average of ~1.06%). Verify the actual assessed value before purchase; sale-triggered reassessments can push the bill higher than the seller's current statement.
5-Year Cap Rate Trajectory
If Yuma continues appreciating at 3%/yr while rents grow at a conservative 3%/yr, cap rate holds roughly steady as price growth outpaces rent. Year-by-year projection at the median:
| Year | Est. Price | Est. Rent/Mo | Cap Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | $280K | $1,380 | 4.2% |
| Year 1 | $288K | $1,421 | 4.2% |
| Year 2 | $297K | $1,464 | 4.2% |
| Year 3 | $306K | $1,508 | 4.2% |
| Year 4 | $315K | $1,553 | 4.2% |
| Year 5 | $325K | $1,600 | 4.2% |
Three Financing Scenarios
Same median-priced Yuma property — different capital structures. All-cash maximizes cap rate. Leverage trades cash flow for higher cash-on-cash return when the spread between cap rate and borrowing cost is positive.
| Scenario | Cash Invested | Monthly Cash Flow | Annual CF | Cash-on-Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All cash | $280K | $977 | $11,728 | 4.2% |
| 20% down conventional @ 7% | $64K | $-512 | $-6,147 | -9.5% |
| 25% down DSCR @ 8.5% | $81K | $-638 | $-7,651 | -9.4% |
Three Price Tiers: Below, At, and Above the Median
Properties don't always trade at the median. Lower-priced units typically offer higher cap rates but harder operations; higher-priced properties tend to compress cap rates while attracting better tenants. All-cash assumptions below:
| Tier | Price | Rent/Mo | NOI/Yr | Cap Rate | Monthly CF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below median (~75% price) | $210K | $1,173 | $8,957 | 4.3% | $746 |
| At median | $280K | $1,380 | $10,198 | 3.6% | $850 |
| Above median (~125% price) | $350K | $1,587 | $11,440 | 3.3% | $953 |
Total Return Over a 5-Year Hold
Cap rate is just one piece. Real estate returns come from four sources: cash flow, appreciation, principal paydown, and tax benefits. Assuming 20% down conventional financing at 7% and a 5-year hold at Yuma's historical appreciation rate of 3%:
On a $56K down payment, that's a 54.8% total ROI over 5 years (not annualized). Tax benefits from depreciation are additional and depend on your personal tax bracket.
Risk Flags Specific to Yuma
Automated checks against the underlying data — surface only the risks that actually apply to Yuma, not generic boilerplate:
Cap Rate Calculator — Yuma
Pre-filled with Yuma medians. Adjust to match a specific property.
Cash-on-Cash Return — Yuma
Factor in financing to see your actual return on invested capital in Yuma.
Is Yuma a Good Place to Invest in Rental Property?
Yuma, AZ has a population of 50,000 and has been growing at 1.6% annually — above the national average, suggesting steady demand pressure on housing. The median home price of $280,000 paired with median rents of $1,380/mo produces an estimated cap rate of 4.19%.
Property taxes at 0.63% are well below the national average of ~1.1%, providing a meaningful cash flow advantage many investors overlook. The vacancy rate of 5% is moderate and within normal parameters for a healthy rental market.
At a price-to-income ratio of 4.2x, homes cost about 4.2 times the local median income of $66,955. This relatively affordable ratio suggests a deep pool of renters who find buying out of reach, supporting rental demand. Home values have appreciated at roughly 3% annually. Steady appreciation means total returns will be primarily cash flow-driven — the more sustainable model for long-term wealth building.
Bottom line: Yuma presents moderate opportunities. Cap rates near 4.19% mean deals need careful sourcing — look for value-add rehabs or emerging neighborhoods where rents are climbing.