Real Estate Investing in Gardena, California (90249)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 90249 (Gardena, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 31.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Gardena, CA (90249)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 90249 Gardena
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Gardena's 90249 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $810K pricing implies.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 90249 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Statewide comparisons place 90249 among CA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
The demographic picture in 90249 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Gardena averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
New investors are better served looking at Gardena's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 90249. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Gardena:
Property Strategy for 90249
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $369,433 | $1,800 | 3.5% | +2.9% | $369,433 |
| 2BR | $692,755 | $2,240 | 2.3% | +4.9% | $346,377 |
| 3BR | $790,266 | $2,840 | 2.6% | +5.0% | $263,422 |
| 4BR | $842,545 | $3,160 | 2.7% | +5.1% | $210,636 |
| 5BR | $975,403 | — | — | +5.6% | $195,081 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 90249 Compare?
| Metric | 90249 | Gardena | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $809,854 | $794,203 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.3% | 3.2% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,159 | $2,653 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% | 2.6% | - | - |
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 90249 (Gardena, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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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 | $809,854 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,159 |
| Price-to-Rent | 31.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.2% |
| Cap Rate | 2.1% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +5.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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 90249
Population: 25,967
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 90249
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Morningside High
Samuel Gompers Middle
One Hundred Fifty-Third Street Elementary
Benjamin Banneker Career and Transition Center
Cimarron Avenue Elementary
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 11,855 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do experienced investors play Gardena, CA?
The best-fit strategy in Gardena, CA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
What do rentals go for in Gardena, CA?
Rental rates in Gardena, CA average $2,159/mo. Tenant demand and $810K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Gardena, CA?
CA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Gardena inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
What are vacancy rates like in Gardena, CA?
Vacancy in Gardena, CA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,159/mo.
How strong is tenant demand in Gardena, CA?
Gardena, CA draws a stable base of working renters. Demand at the $2,159/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
You know 90249 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 90249 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 90249 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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