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CO area data

Buena Vista, CO

Buena Vista, CO.

Population: 8,302 (Census ACS)

The median home value in Buena Vista, CO is $687,269 — up 1.4% over the past year. Typical rent runs $2,357/month. 6 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with avalanche, lightning, landslide the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 5.0% above the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$687,269

Median home value

+1.4%

1-year change

Relatively Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$687,269
1-year appreciation
+1.4%
3-year appreciation
+5.2%
5-year appreciation
+21.9%
10-year appreciation
+127.5%
All-time peak (2026-07)
$687,269
House Price Index (state)
675.7 (-1.4% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

For-sale inventory
122
New listings (monthly)
28

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Typical rent
$2,357/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Above Average)
105.0 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
15.9¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$11.20/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
6
Elementary schools
2
Middle schools
1
High schools
2
Charter schools
1
School districts serving the area
State Charter School Institute, Buena Vista School District No. R-31
Schools include
Salida Montessori Charter School, Buena Vista High School, Buena Vista Middle School, Avery/Parsons Elementary School, Chaffee County High School

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
avalanche, lightning, landslide
Notable hazard ratings (county)
avalanche: Very High · hail: Relatively Low · inlandFlooding: Relatively Low · landslide: Relatively Moderate · lightning: Relatively High · wildfire: Relatively Low
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 71% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
56.4%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
Nearest Superfund site
Smeltertown Site (24.4 mi — proposed for listing)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Annual precipitation
15.7 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
5b (extreme annual low -15 to -10°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Moderate
Median AQI (annual)
58
Days with Good air quality
66
Days with Moderate air quality
96
Highest AQI recorded (year)
115

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
1
Nearest national park
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (48 mi)
Airports within 30 mi
4
Nearest airport
Central Colorado Regional Airport (6 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
1,090
Hospitals include
MIZELL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CRENSHAW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, CRENSHAW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.1 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
5.0 / 5
EV charging stations (within 10 mi)
15
Solar radiation rating
Good (4.8 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+203 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,995
Housing built before 1970
14.1%
Housing built 2000 or later
41.9%
Median annual property tax
$1,922
Mean commute to work
16 min
Households with broadband internet
61.5%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
6,852
Average weekly wage
$889
Top industries (by employment)
Accommodation & Food, Construction, Arts & Entertainment
Annual residential building permits (county)
274

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

Buena VistaState medianUS median
Median home value$687,269$497,277$289,727
Typical rent$2,357/mo$2,002/mo$1,808/mo
Median annual property tax$1,922$1,694$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in Buena Vista, CO?
$687,269.
What is typical rent in Buena Vista, CO?
Typical rent: $2,357/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in Buena Vista, CO?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: avalanche, lightning, landslide.
What is the wildfire risk in Buena Vista, CO?
Risk to homes is higher than 71% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Buena Vista, CO?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Buena Vista, CO?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
How many schools serve Buena Vista, CO?
6 schools (2 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
What is the air quality in Buena Vista, CO?
Moderate. Median AQI: 58. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in Buena Vista, CO?
Regional Price Parity: 105.0 (100 = US average) (Above Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP code for Buena Vista

Selling a home in Buena Vista, CO?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents