Real Estate Investing in Irvine, California (92606)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 92606 (Irvine, 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 36.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Irvine, CA (92606)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 92606 Irvine
Investors eyeing 92606 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $1.5M come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $1.5M purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 92606 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Statewide comparisons place 92606 among CA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
Who lives in 92606 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
The 92606 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Irvine:
Property Strategy for 92606
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $675,287 | $3,300 | 3.5% | +9.0% | $675,287 |
| 2BR | $896,387 | $3,890 | 3.1% | +11.4% | $448,194 |
| 3BR | $1,276,811 | $5,280 | 3.0% | +12.1% | $425,604 |
| 4BR | $1,644,141 | $6,310 | 2.8% | +13.0% | $411,035 |
| 5BR | $2,131,277 | — | — | +14.2% | $426,255 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 92606 Compare?
| Metric | 92606 | Irvine | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,452,325 | $1,362,192 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 10.8% | 9.5% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $3,312 | $3,400 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% | 1.8% | - | - |
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 92606 (Irvine, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,452,325 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,312 |
| Price-to-Rent | 36.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.7% |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 12.6% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.9% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +8.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +10.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.2% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -5.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -1.4% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.8%). 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 92606
Population: 24,499
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 92606
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Barbara Benson Elementary
C. E. Utt Middle
Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary
Columbus Tustin Middle
Ladera 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 2,734 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Irvine, CA good for landlords?
Landlord-friendliness in Irvine, CA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.
How strong is tenant demand in Irvine, CA?
Tenant demand in Irvine, CA is solid. The local workforce $3,312/mo rents across most rental classes.
What is the average monthly rent in Irvine, CA?
Rental rates in Irvine, CA average $3,312/mo. Tenant demand and $1.5M home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
Is Irvine, CA a good place for real estate investing?
Irvine, CA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $1.5M and rents near $3,312/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
Is Irvine, CA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Irvine, CA. With home values at $1.5M and rents near $3,312/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.
You know 92606 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 92606 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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