Real Estate Investing in Huntington Beach, California (90742)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 90742 (Huntington Beach, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 39.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 67.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Huntington Beach, CA (90742)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 90742 Huntington Beach
ZIP 90742 inside Orange County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $2.2M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Looking more closely, the numbers look inviting — $2.2M purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 90742 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Statewide comparisons place 90742 among CA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Demographically, 90742 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 90742 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Huntington Beach:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 90742 Compare?
| Metric | 90742 | Huntington Beach | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $2,181,778 | $1,554,128 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.5% | 6.6% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,691 | $3,075 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.0% | 1.6% | - | - |
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 90742 (Huntington Beach, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $2,181,778 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,691 |
| Price-to-Rent | 67.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 1.5% |
| Cap Rate | 1.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.0%). 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 90742
Population: 385
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 90742
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Village View Elementary
Harbour View Elementary
Marine View Middle
J. H. McGaugh Elementary
Marina High
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 7,474 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do landlords face vacancy issues in Huntington Beach, CA?
Huntington Beach, CA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
How qualified is the tenant pool in Huntington Beach, CA?
Working renters make up the core of the Huntington Beach, CA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
What is the investability score for Huntington Beach, CA?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Huntington Beach, CA reflects its $2.2M prices and $2,691/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within CA.
Is Huntington Beach, CA suited for a house hack?
House hacking works a tougher in Huntington Beach, CA. Rents of $2,691/mo against $2.2M acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
What is the smart move for investors in Huntington Beach, CA?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Huntington Beach, CA. With home values at $2.2M and rents near $2,691/mo, other strategies can work but produce measured rather than outsized returns.
You know 90742 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 90742 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 90742 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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