What are the best Denver neighborhoods for rental properties?

The best neighborhood for a Denver rental depends on your investment thesis — cash flow vs. appreciation, short hold vs. long hold, and tenant profile.

Best for appreciation + stability: Washington Park, Highland, RiNo, Cherry Creek. These appreciate faster than the metro average and maintain high occupancy, but cap rates are thin (3.5-4.5%). Best for long-hold investors who can absorb negative or break-even cash flow early.

Best for cash flow: Aurora (especially the Anschutz Medical Campus area near the hospital), Commerce City, Thornton, and working-class Denver neighborhoods like Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, and Sun Valley. Cap rates 5-6.5%, slower appreciation.

Best for small multi-family (duplex/triplex): Sunnyside, Villa Park, West Colfax, and Berkeley. These neighborhoods have older duplex stock, are transitioning upward in value, and have strong rental demand from young professionals who want proximity to LoHi and Highland without LoHi prices. See our investment properties page.