Real Estate Investing in Borrego Springs, California (92004)

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

Imperial County • Population: 3,030 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 92004 (Borrego Springs, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (42/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 45.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Borrego Springs, CA (92004)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $349,769
Avg Monthly Rent $1,314
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,128
% Renters 26.0%

Market Analysis: 92004 Borrego Springs

This part of Imperial County is not an easy win. The 92004 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 92004 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $350K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

The gap between 92004 and stronger Borrego Springs ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Demographically, 92004 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 Borrego Springs's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 92004. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Borrego Springs:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,314/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
El Centro, CA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
5.3%
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 El Centro, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 92004

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+5.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$141,970/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $192,798 $1,200 4.5% +1.0% $192,798
2BR $312,955 $1,460 3.4% +4.1% $156,478
3BR $425,911 $1,950 3.3% +4.6% $141,970
4BR $581,505 $2,360 2.9% +5.1% $145,376

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$407K$354K$301K$248K$195K$142KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 92004 Compare?

Metric 92004 Borrego Springs El Centro, CA California
Home Value $349,769 $349,769 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 1.5% 1.5% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,314 $1,314 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
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 92004 (Borrego Springs, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.5%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on El Centro, CA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
41%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $349,769
Monthly Rent $1,314
Price-to-Rent 22.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 4.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.2% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
45.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.5%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 92004

Population: 3,030

💰 Median Household Income
$75,128
This area
$75,128
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.0%
This area
26.0%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.0%
This area
29.0%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
60.3 years
This area
60.3 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
45.8%
This area
45.8%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 80.8%
Hispanic/Latino 19.1%
Other/Mixed 19.1%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
42.5%
This area
42.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
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 92004

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
17.9:1 Avg Class Size
$25,099 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Borrego Springs High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
116 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$25,099 Per Student
A Very Good

Borrego Springs Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
78 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$25,099 Per Student
C+ Average

Borrego Springs Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
150 Students
👨‍🏫
27.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,099 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What strategy should investors use in Borrego Springs, CA?

In Borrego Springs, CA the sturdy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $350K prices and $1,314/mo rents suits that approach.

Are tenants stable in Borrego Springs, CA?

The tenant pool in Borrego Springs, CA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,314/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How high is vacancy risk in Borrego Springs, CA?

Vacancy in Borrego Springs, CA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,314/mo.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Borrego Springs, CA?

Rental owners in Borrego Springs, CA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What do landlords charge for rent in Borrego Springs, CA?

The typical rental in Borrego Springs, CA commands about $1,314/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $350K purchase basis.

You know 92004 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 92004 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.

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How 92004 ranks in El Centro, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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