Real Estate Investing in Ocala, Florida (34474)

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

Marion County • Population: 20,497 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 34474 (Ocala, FL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Ocala, FL (34474)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $311,669
Avg Monthly Rent $1,529
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,678
% Renters 54.7%

Market Analysis: 34474 Ocala

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Ocala's 34474 ZIP shows signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $312K pricing implies.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 34474 shows the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Ocala have seen price recovery that 34474 has not matched. Marion County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A impressive renter share of 55% in 34474 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The right play in 34474 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Ocala:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,529/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Ocala, FL Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
97 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Ocala, FL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 34474

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$91,887/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $191,259 $1,800 6.8% +8.1% $95,630
3BR $286,240 $2,320 5.8% +7.6% $95,413
4BR $367,547 $2,500 4.9% +6.8% $91,887

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$351K$303K$255K$206K$158K$110KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,803$1,637$1,471$1,306$1,140$974Mar 2017Nov 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 34474 Compare?

Metric 34474 Ocala Ocala, FL Florida
Home Value $311,669 $142,953 N/A $374,697
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 5.2% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,529 $1,635 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 34474? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

55% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 34474 (Ocala, FL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.3%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Ocala, FL metro

4/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
72%
Days Pending
2/2
97 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $311,669
Monthly Rent $1,529
Price-to-Rent 17.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.8% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.8% ▼
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -4.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.9% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
11.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 34474

Population: 20,497

💰 Median Household Income
$58,678
This area
$58,678
State
$70,737
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
54.7%
This area
54.7%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
State
-18.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.8%
This area
28.8%
State
4.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.1 years
This area
41.1 years
State
16.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.8%
This area
11.8%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 61.3%
Black/African American 18.0%
Other/Mixed 13.3%
Hispanic/Latino 12.0%
Asian 7.4%
👶 Under 18
21.4%
This area
21.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 34474

C+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
18.0:1 Avg Class Size
$11,790 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

INA A.COLEN ACADEMY

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
435 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
C+ Average

COLLEGE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
824 Students
👨‍🏫
18.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
C+ Average

SADDLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
1,000 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

4 Nearby 5,115 Off-Campus Students
C
Rasmussen University-Florida
3,034 students · 1.3 mi
C+
College of Central Florida
5,747 students · 2.3 mi
C+
Marion Technical College
484 students · 4.1 mi
D
Taylor College
216 students · 6.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,115 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Ocala, FL?

Typical homes in Ocala, FL go for around $312K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Ocala, FL?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Ocala, FL. The rental market absorbs $1,529/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What is the investability score for Ocala, FL?

Ocala, FL clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $312K and average rents around $1,529/mo. That combination puts it in the healthy tier for investor interest.

Is Ocala, FL a friendly market for rental owners?

Ocala, FL falls under FL landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How tight is the rental market in Ocala, FL?

Ocala, FL carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect measured absorption at market rents of $1,529/mo.

You know 34474 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 34474 ranks in Ocala, FL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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