Real Estate Investing in Los Angeles, California (90038)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 90038 (Los Angeles, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- Declining values: -2.6% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Elevated vacancy: 11.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.7% in the last year.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Los Angeles, CA (90038)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 90038 Los Angeles
The 90038 ZIP covers a section of Los Angeles that demands careful diligence. Prices near $1.0M look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
The 90038 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
ZIP 90038's metrics run below Los Angeles County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Stepping back, 27,807 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Strategically, 90038 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Los Angeles:
Property Strategy for 90038
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $631,350 | $2,380 | 2.7% | -6.3% | $631,350 |
| 2BR | $856,872 | $2,970 | 2.5% | +0.4% | $428,436 |
| 3BR | $1,167,737 | $3,770 | 2.3% | -0.3% | $389,246 |
| 4BR | $1,375,852 | $4,190 | 2.2% | — | $343,963 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 90038 Compare?
| Metric | 90038 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,009,064 | $1,025,392 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | 2.1% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,628 | $3,041 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% | 2.3% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 90038 (Los Angeles, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 90038 (Los Angeles, CA)?
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Property managers serving Los Angeles County
Manage rentals here? List your business →A Better Property Management Company Inc. provides property management services in Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Southern California. summary from their website
ACF Property Management leases shopping center spaces nationwide, managing over 37 shopping centers in 11 states from California to Florida. summary from their website
summary from their website summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,009,064 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,628 |
| Price-to-Rent | 32.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.1% |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | N/A |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -3.7% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -5.7% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -2.6% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +1.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.7% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.1% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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.
Demographics in 90038
Population: 27,807
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 90038
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Wilton Place Elementary
Pio Pico Middle
Alta Loma Elementary
Ambassador School-Global Education
Ambassador-Global Leadership
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
Investor Insight: With 7,150 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly do rentals get leased in Los Angeles, CA?
Los Angeles, CA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
What is the renter demographic in Los Angeles, CA?
The tenant pool in Los Angeles, CA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,628/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
Is Los Angeles, CA a friendly market for rental owners?
The landlord environment in Los Angeles, CA is tenant-protective. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.
Does house hacking work in Los Angeles, CA?
The house hack math a tougher in Los Angeles, CA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,628/mo rents and $1.0M home values.
How do experienced investors play Los Angeles, CA?
Most investors in Los Angeles, CA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
You know 90038 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 90038 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.
How 90038 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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