Real Estate Investing in Irvine, California (92620)

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

Orange County • Population: 61,744 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 92620 (Irvine, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 36.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Irvine, CA (92620)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,667,762
Avg Monthly Rent $3,774
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $135,494
% Renters 43.9%

Market Analysis: 92620 Irvine

This part of Orange County is not an easy win. The 92620 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 92620 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $1.7M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

The gap between 92620 and stronger Irvine ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Employment concentration in 92620 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. substantial returns are possible in 92620, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Irvine:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 12.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,774/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.0%
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 92620

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+13.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$495,760/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $560,250 $3,660 4.7% +10.6% $560,250
2BR $1,004,130 $4,310 3.1% +11.6% $502,065
3BR $1,487,280 $5,850 2.8% +12.4% $495,760
4BR $2,048,885 $6,990 2.5% +12.8% $512,221
5BR $2,669,104 +13.8% $533,821

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.8M$1.6M$1.3M$1.0M$749K$481KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$4,067$3,755$3,444$3,132$2,820$2,508Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 92620 Compare?

Metric 92620 Irvine Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA California
Home Value $1,667,762 $1,362,192 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 10.3% 9.5% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $3,774 $3,400 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.8% 1.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 92620? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 44% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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 92620 (Irvine, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Orange County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Action Property Management is an HOA management company serving various community types including large scale, high rise, new development, condos, and hotel residential. summary from their website

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Affinity Property Management, Inc. provides world-class service in property management, adapting to client needs and offering solutions for owners and tenants. summary from their website

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Aperto Property Management, Inc. aims to maximize real estate asset value and achieve investment goals through vision, professionalism, and personal service. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+10.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,667,762
Monthly Rent $3,774
Price-to-Rent 36.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.7%
Cap Rate 1.8%
5-Year IRR 12.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +10.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -4.5% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

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.

Vacancy
5.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+10.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 92620

Population: 61,744

💰 Median Household Income
$135,494
This area
$135,494
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
43.9%
This area
43.9%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
71.8%
This area
71.8%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.2 years
This area
37.2 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.7%
This area
5.7%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Asian 58.1%
White 29.9%
Other/Mixed 10.7%
Hispanic/Latino 5.7%
Black/African American 1.2%
👶 Under 18
27.2%
This area
27.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.4%
This area
10.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
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 92620

C+ Avg School Grade
12 Schools
27.4:1 Avg Class Size
$16,218 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

C+ Average

Brywood Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
573 Students
👨‍🏫
27.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C+ Average

Canyon View Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
781 Students
👨‍🏫
29.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C+ Average

Eastwood Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
664 Students
👨‍🏫
27.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C+ Average

Northwood Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
518 Students
👨‍🏫
28.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C+ Average

Santiago Hills Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
561 Students
👨‍🏫
29.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C+ Average

Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy

📚 K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
221 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
C Below Average

Cypress Village Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
1,015 Students
👨‍🏫
28.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C Below Average

Jeffrey Trail Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
1,118 Students
👨‍🏫
26.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C Below Average

Sierra Vista Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
1,188 Students
👨‍🏫
26.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C Below Average

Stonegate Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
1,029 Students
👨‍🏫
30.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C Below Average

Woodbury Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
1,089 Students
👨‍🏫
30.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 Per Student
C Below Average

Northwood High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,310 Students
👨‍🏫
26.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,218 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 10,596 Off-Campus Students
C
Irvine Valley College
11,994 students · 2.5 mi
D
University of Massachusetts Global
9,069 students · 3.5 mi
C+
Concordia University-Irvine
3,481 students · 4.8 mi
C+
American Institute of Massage Therapy
17 students · 5.3 mi
C
Career Networks Institute
971 students · 5.3 mi
C+
Westcliff University
6,532 students · 5.4 mi
C
InterCoast Colleges-Santa Ana
2 students · 5.6 mi
D
Sri Sai Krish Institute
61 students · 6.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 10,596 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical home price in Irvine, CA?

Median home price in Irvine, CA is near $1.7M, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Irvine, CA?

House hacking in Irvine, CA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $1.7M and rents of $3,774/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Does Irvine, CA favor landlords or tenants?

Irvine, CA falls under CA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Is Irvine, CA better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?

The best-fit strategy in Irvine, CA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Irvine, CA?

Irvine, CA offers a steady renter base at the $3,774/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

You know 92620 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 92620 ranks in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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