Real Estate Investing in Big Sur, California (93920)

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

Monterey County • Population: 1,564 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 93920 (Big Sur, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (15/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -0.1% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 60.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Big Sur, CA (93920)?

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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 $1,763,204
Avg Monthly Rent $2,421
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,573
% Renters 66.7%

Market Analysis: 93920 Big Sur

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Big Sur's 93920 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $1.8M pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 93920 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $1.8M reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 93920's metrics run below Monterey County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 93920 ZIP's population of 1,564 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that shows the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 93920 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $1.8M are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Big Sur:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 35/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 25× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,421/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Salinas, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
50 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.5%
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 Salinas, CA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$2.2M$1.9M$1.6M$1.2M$943K$639KAug 2008Aug 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 93920 Compare?

Metric 93920 Big Sur Salinas, CA California
Home Value $1,763,204 $1,763,204 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $2,421 $2,421 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.1% 1.1% - -

Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles

Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.

💡 Why Invest in 93920? Click to expand

67% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 93920 (Big Sur, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Monterey County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

36 North Property Management is a leader in Monterey County, providing property management services. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

A. G. Davi Property Management is a full-service property management company in Monterey, California, offering commercial, long-term residential, and vacation rental management services. summary from their website

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Creative Property Management is a premier property manager on the Monterey Peninsula, offering residential and commercial income property management services with over 40 years of experience. 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
Fair
Cap Rate
1.1%
Low
5yr Growth
-0.1%
Declining

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Salinas, CA metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
50%
Days Pending
1/2
50 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,763,204
Monthly Rent $2,421
Price-to-Rent 60.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 1.7%
Cap Rate 1.1%
5-Year IRR 1.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.8% ▼
5-Year CAGR -0.1% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.1%). 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
15.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.1%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 93920

Population: 1,564

💰 Median Household Income
$70,573
This area
$70,573
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
66.7%
This area
66.7%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
37.2%
This area
37.2%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.6 years
This area
37.6 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.9%
This area
15.9%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 59.3%
Other/Mixed 40.7%
Hispanic/Latino 37.6%
👶 Under 18
22.8%
This area
22.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 93920

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
6.5:1 Avg Class Size
$44,188 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Captain Cooper Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
47 Students
👨‍🏫
9.1:1 Class Size
💰
$32,841 Per Student
A Very Good

Pacific Valley (K-12)

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
17 Students
👨‍🏫
3.8:1 Class Size
💰
$66,882 Per Student
B Good

Apple Pie Preschool

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$32,841 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

Are homes affordable in Big Sur, CA?

Big Sur, CA home values average about $1.8M. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,421/mo in monthly income.

Which investment style suits Big Sur, CA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Big Sur, CA. With home values at $1.8M and rents near $2,421/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.

How strong is Big Sur, CA for real estate investors?

Big Sur, CA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $1.8M and rents near $2,421/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is it like being a landlord in Big Sur, CA?

CA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Big Sur inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What does house hacking look like in Big Sur, CA?

The a tougher house-hack environment in Big Sur, CA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 93920 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 93920 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 93920 ranks in Salinas, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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