Real Estate Investing in Irvine, California (92618)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 92618 (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.
- Elevated vacancy: 9.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- 1-year downturn: Values declined 4.1% in the last year.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 36.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Irvine, CA (92618)?
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Market Analysis: 92618 Irvine
Stepping back, ZIP 92618 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $1.6M median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $1.6M purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 92618 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Nearby ZIPs in Irvine have seen price recovery that 92618 has not matched. Orange County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
In practical terms, 62,296 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.
Strategy in 92618 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $1.6M are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Irvine:
Property Strategy for 92618
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $595,897 | $3,800 | 4.6% | +8.7% | $595,897 |
| 2BR | $978,629 | $4,480 | 3.3% | +10.7% | $489,315 |
| 3BR | $1,414,907 | $6,080 | 3.1% | +11.3% | $471,636 |
| 4BR | $2,017,800 | $7,260 | 2.6% | +12.5% | $504,450 |
| 5BR | $3,616,303 | — | — | +13.8% | $723,261 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 92618 Compare?
| Metric | 92618 | Irvine | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,551,589 | $1,362,192 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 9.2% | 9.5% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $3,509 | $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 92618 (Irvine, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,551,589 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,509 |
| Price-to-Rent | 36.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.7% |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -4.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +9.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -4.6% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -1.5% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
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 92618
Population: 62,296
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 92618
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 12,864 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are home prices like in Irvine, CA?
Irvine, CA home values average about $1.6M. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $3,509/mo in monthly income.
Are tenants stable in Irvine, CA?
Tenant quality in Irvine, CA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report consistent occupancy at market rents of $3,509/mo.
Is rental property easy to operate in Irvine, CA?
Rental owners in Irvine, CA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Irvine, CA?
Irvine, CA vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
What type of investing works in Irvine, CA?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Irvine, CA. The numbers - $1.6M homes against $3,509/mo rents - support that play.
You know 92618 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 92618 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 92618 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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