Real Estate Investing in Ocala, Florida (34479)

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

Marion County • Population: 13,265 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 34479 (Ocala, FL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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: 9.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Ocala, FL (34479)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $237,125
Avg Monthly Rent $1,615
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,704
% Renters 31.9%

Market Analysis: 34479 Ocala

The 34479 ZIP covers a section of Ocala that demands careful diligence. Prices near $237K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 34479 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $237K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 34479 among FL's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 34479 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 34479, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,615/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 34479

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+9.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$77,757/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $168,719 $1,460 6.2% +8.1% $84,359
3BR $233,271 $1,880 5.8% +9.0% $77,757
4BR $319,612 $2,030 4.6% +8.6% $79,903

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$259K$218K$177K$137K$96K$55KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,720$1,652$1,584$1,516$1,448$1,381Apr 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 34479 Compare?

Metric 34479 Ocala Ocala, FL Florida
Home Value $237,125 $142,953 N/A $374,697
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 5.2% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $1,615 $1,635 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.3% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 34479? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 34479 (Ocala, FL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.0%
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 $237,125
Monthly Rent $1,615
Price-to-Rent 12.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.2%
Cap Rate 5.3%
5-Year IRR 11.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -3.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.3%). 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
9.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 34479

Population: 13,265

💰 Median Household Income
$54,704
This area
$54,704
State
$70,737
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.9%
This area
31.9%
State
29.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-18.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.9%
This area
12.9%
State
4.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.3 years
This area
41.3 years
State
16.0 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.6%
This area
9.6%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.1%
Black/African American 12.6%
Other/Mixed 9.3%
Hispanic/Latino 6.1%
Asian 0.9%
👶 Under 18
24.0%
This area
24.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.2%
This area
21.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.7%
This area
12.7%
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 34479

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
17.4:1 Avg Class Size
$11,790 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

OCALA SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
712 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 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
D
Taylor College
216 students · 4.4 mi
C+
Marion Technical College
484 students · 5.7 mi
C+
College of Central Florida
5,747 students · 7.2 mi
C
Rasmussen University-Florida
3,034 students · 9.4 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ocala in FL worth investing in?

Investors tracking Ocala, FL will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $237K median home values and $1,615/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

What do rentals go for in Ocala, FL?

Rental rates in Ocala, FL average $1,615/mo. Tenant demand and $237K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Ocala, FL?

Rental vacancy in Ocala, FL is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Are landlord laws favorable in Ocala, FL?

Rental owners in Ocala, FL deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How do home values compare in Ocala, FL?

Homes in Ocala, FL typically sell near $237K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which steady long-term demand.

You know 34479 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 34479 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 34479 ranks in Ocala, FL

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