Real Estate Investing in Monterey, California

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

3 ZIP codes • Population: 33,681 • Monterey County

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Should you buy in Monterey, CA? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (63/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Citywide average

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

2.7% 5yr CAGR

1.0/ 5

Landlord Climate

Regulatory friendliness

🏦 30-yr Fixed Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS
Avg Investability
Avg Home Value $381,565
Avg Monthly Rent $2,748
ZIP Codes 3

Investing in Monterey Real Estate

Monterey, CA covers 3 ZIP codes and a population but the investment metrics here are soft — this is not a market to enter casually.

Across Monterey's 3 ZIPs, fundamentals run thin: thin appreciation, soft rents, and demographic trends that don't obviously reverse in the medium term.

Market conditions in Monterey are sluggish. Days-on-market has stretched, rent growth has stalled, and the 0.0% 5-year CAGR understates how uneven the underlying ZIPs really are.

Demographics in Monterey show real pressure — median income of $N/AK is soft relative to rents, and the 0% renter share includes significant cost-burdened households.

A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Best ZIP codes in Salinas, CA

Monterey is part of this metro. Every ZIP in it, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in Monterey, CA. Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Monterey County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

36 North Property Management is a leader in Monterey County, providing property management services. summary from their website

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A. G. Davi Property Management is a full-service property management company in Monterey, California, offering commercial, long-term residential, and vacation rental management services. summary from their website

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Creative Property Management is a premier property manager on the Monterey Peninsula, offering residential and commercial income property management services with over 40 years of experience. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Avg Home Value
$381,565
Avg Monthly Rent
$2,748
1% Rule
✗ Below
Landlord Friendly (CA)

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Salinas, CA metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
50%
Days Pending
1/2
50 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

⚖️ Balanced Market — Salinas, CA metro
50
Days to pending
7.5%
Listings with price cuts
0.0%
Sale-to-list ratio
📅 Data as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly

🎓 Colleges & Universities in Monterey

3 Colleges 10,454 Students 3,131 Off-Campus Renters
C
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
4-Year Private · 503 students
C
Monterey Peninsula College
2-Year Public · 7,351 students
📍 ~3,131 students rent off-campus
C
Naval Postgraduate School
4-Year Public · 2,600 students

Investor Insight: With 3,131 students living off-campus, Monterey has substantial rental demand from the college population — typically stable, lease-renewing tenants.

Neighborhoods in Monterey

ZIP Codes in Monterey, CA

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Frequently Asked Questions About Monterey, CA

Is the tenant base reliable in Monterey, CA?

Monterey, CA draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $2,748/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How landlord-friendly is Monterey, CA?

For rental operators, Monterey, CA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How do home values compare in Monterey, CA?

Monterey, CA home values average about $382K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,748/mo in monthly income.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Monterey, CA?

Monterey, CA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader CA rental market.

Can I house hack in Monterey, CA?

For house hackers, Monterey, CA is a challenging. The $2,748/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $382K property.

Community Ratings

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