Real Estate Investing in Goleta, California (93117)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 93117 (Goleta, 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 29.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Goleta, CA (93117)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 93117 Goleta
ZIP 93117 inside Santa Barbara County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $1.4M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.4M asset, 93117 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
The gap between 93117 and stronger Goleta ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
The demographic picture in 93117 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Goleta averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 93117 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Goleta:
Property Strategy for 93117
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $594,759 | $3,030 | 3.7% | +5.2% | $594,759 |
| 2BR | $798,817 | $3,450 | 3.1% | +5.3% | $399,408 |
| 3BR | $1,352,488 | $4,500 | 2.4% | +8.2% | $450,829 |
| 4BR | $1,568,097 | $5,130 | 2.4% | +8.8% | $392,024 |
| 5BR | $1,783,971 | — | — | +9.2% | $356,794 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 93117 Compare?
| Metric | 93117 | Goleta | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,377,709 | $1,377,709 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.3% | 5.3% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $3,845 | $3,845 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.2% | - | - |
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 93117 (Goleta, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Santa Barbara County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Plus Property Management offers services for owners and tenants with available rentals in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley, Lompoc, and Arroyo Grande. summary from their website
Sierra Property Management offers residential, student housing, commercial & storage rental property management services in Santa Barbara. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,377,709 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,845 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -17.2% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -2.8% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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 93117
Population: 52,225
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 93117
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 14,180 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are rental rates like in Goleta, CA?
Rental rates in Goleta, CA average $3,845/mo. Tenant demand and $1.4M home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.
How expensive is real estate in Goleta, CA?
Median home price in Goleta, CA is near $1.4M, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.
How quickly do rentals get leased in Goleta, CA?
Vacancy risk in Goleta, CA is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.
What real estate strategy is ideal for Goleta, CA?
Goleta, CA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($1.4M prices, $3,845/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
Is Goleta, CA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
Our data puts Goleta, CA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $1.4M and rents around $3,845/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
You know 93117 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 93117 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 93117 ranks in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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