Real Estate Investing in Whittier, California (90604)

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

Los Angeles County • Population: 39,378 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 90604 (Whittier, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Whittier, CA (90604)?

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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 $837,244
Avg Monthly Rent $2,259
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $95,570
% Renters 35.5%

Market Analysis: 90604 Whittier

ZIP 90604 in Whittier, CA carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $837K and rents of $2,259/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 90604 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $837K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 90604'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.

On the rental side, 39,378 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.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 90604 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Whittier:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,259/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 90604

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$197,073/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $647,543 $2,490 2.8% +7.5% $323,772
3BR $793,690 $3,160 2.9% +6.5% $264,563
4BR $858,696 $3,520 3.0% +6.3% $214,674
5BR $985,363 +6.1% $197,073

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$883K$754K$625K$497K$368K$239KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,913$2,764$2,615$2,466$2,317$2,167May 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 90604 Compare?

Metric 90604 Whittier Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA California
Home Value $837,244 $836,586 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.2% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $2,259 $2,606 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 90604? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 90604 (Whittier, 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

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ACF Property Management leases shopping center spaces nationwide, managing over 37 shopping centers in 11 states from California to Florida. summary from their website

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summary from their website 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.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $837,244
Monthly Rent $2,259
Price-to-Rent 30.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.2%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 6.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -11.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

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.

Vacancy
4.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 90604

Population: 39,378

💰 Median Household Income
$95,570
This area
$95,570
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.5%
This area
35.5%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.8%
This area
21.8%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.5 years
This area
35.5 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Other/Mixed 51.2%
Hispanic/Latino 48.0%
White 40.2%
Asian 7.4%
Black/African American 1.2%
👶 Under 18
24.3%
This area
24.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.4%
This area
12.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
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 90604

B+ Avg School Grade
11 Schools
22.0:1 Avg Class Size
$18,899 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Howard J. McKibben Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,918 Per Student
A Very Good

Los Altos Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
21.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,918 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hillview Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
629 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,765 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Orchard Dale Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
487 Students
👨‍🏫
19.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,765 Per Student
B Good

Ceres Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
480 Students
👨‍🏫
23.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,765 Per Student
B Good

Granada Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,066 Students
👨‍🏫
21.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,765 Per Student
B Good

La Colima Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
421 Students
👨‍🏫
22.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,765 Per Student
B Good

Meadow Green Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
490 Students
👨‍🏫
25.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,517 Per Student
B Good

Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
738 Students
👨‍🏫
22.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,517 Per Student
B Good

Scott Avenue Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
510 Students
👨‍🏫
22.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,765 Per Student
B Good

California High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,376 Students
👨‍🏫
22.0:1 Class Size
💰
$22,431 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

8 Nearby
D
ATI College-Whittier
141 students · 1.4 mi
C+
Biola University
5,296 students · 1.7 mi
D
Southern California University of Health Sciences
1,987 students · 1.7 mi
C
Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy
102 students · 1.9 mi
C
Medical Allied Career Center
64 students · 3.0 mi
C
Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America
208 students · 3.5 mi
C
Whittier College
859 students · 3.6 mi
C+
NTMA Training Centers of Southern California
64 students · 3.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Whittier, CA?

Rental rates in Whittier, CA average $2,259/mo. Tenant demand and $837K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

Does house hacking work in Whittier, CA?

House hacking works a challenging in Whittier, CA. Rents of $2,259/mo against $837K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Is real estate in Whittier, CA a good investment right now?

Whittier, CA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $837K and rents near $2,259/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Which real estate strategy fits Whittier, CA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Whittier, CA. The numbers - $837K homes against $2,259/mo rents - support that play.

What is the typical home price in Whittier, CA?

Homes in Whittier, CA typically sell near $837K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.

You know 90604 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 90604 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

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