Real Estate Investing in Cathedral City, California (92234)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 92234 (Cathedral City, 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: 19.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Cathedral City, CA (92234)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 92234 Cathedral City
From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 92234 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $481K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
The investment case in 92234 is robust only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $481K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
ZIP 92234's metrics run below Riverside County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Demographically, 92234 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.
New investors are better served looking at Cathedral City's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 92234. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Cathedral City:
Property Strategy for 92234
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $231,291 | $1,730 | 5.4% | +9.8% | $231,291 |
| 2BR | $345,034 | $2,140 | 4.5% | +7.7% | $172,517 |
| 3BR | $490,203 | $2,830 | 4.2% | +6.8% | $163,401 |
| 4BR | $557,935 | $3,420 | 4.4% | +7.1% | $139,484 |
| 5BR | $625,553 | — | — | +7.3% | $125,111 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 92234 Compare?
| Metric | 92234 | Cathedral City | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $481,046 | $481,046 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.9% | 2.9% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,321 | $2,321 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | - | - |
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 92234 (Cathedral City, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $481,046 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,321 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 6.7% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -2.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -1.2% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -3.7% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.5% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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 92234
Population: 52,047
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 92234
Schools in This ZIP Code
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 7,803 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are homes affordable in Cathedral City, CA?
Homes in Cathedral City, CA typically sell near $481K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which measured long-term demand.
How should investors approach Cathedral City, CA?
The best-fit strategy in Cathedral City, CA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
Are renters plentiful in Cathedral City, CA?
The renter base in Cathedral City, CA is reasonable for the $2,321/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Cathedral City, CA?
Cathedral City, CA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $481K price point reasonable to enter.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Cathedral City, CA?
Cathedral City, CA operates under CA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
You know 92234 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 92234 ranks in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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