Real Estate Investing in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (93923)

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

Monterey County • Population: 12,377 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 93923 (Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 23.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 38.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA (93923)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $2,363,535
Avg Monthly Rent $5,142
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $120,972
% Renters 22.6%

Market Analysis: 93923 Carmel-by-the-Sea

The 93923 ZIP in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $2.4M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The 93923 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within CA, ZIP 93923 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Monterey County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

Who lives in 93923 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

The 93923 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.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 19.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $5,142/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
🏠

Property Strategy for 93923

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
1.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$746,982/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $1,073,438 $2,560 1.7% +6.6% $1,073,438
2BR $1,600,813 $3,040 1.4% +8.1% $800,406
3BR $2,454,271 $4,100 1.2% +8.1% $818,090
4BR $2,987,929 $4,460 1.1% +8.4% $746,982
5BR $4,114,279 +7.9% $822,856

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$2.5M$2.1M$1.8M$1.5M$1.1M$801KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$5,919$5,600$5,281$4,961$4,642$4,323Apr 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 93923 Compare?

Metric 93923 Carmel-by-the-Sea Salinas, CA California
Home Value $2,363,535 $1,181,768 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 4.9% 4.9% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $5,142 $5,142 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.7% 1.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 93923? Click to expand

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

📊 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 93923 (Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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
Good
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.9%
Moderate

📉 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 $2,363,535
Monthly Rent $5,142
Price-to-Rent 38.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.6%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 6.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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
23.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 93923

Population: 12,377

💰 Median Household Income
$120,972
This area
$120,972
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.6%
This area
22.6%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
66.7%
This area
66.7%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
59.0 years
This area
59.0 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.6%
Other/Mixed 11.8%
Hispanic/Latino 6.4%
Asian 6.1%
Black/African American 0.6%
👶 Under 18
16.1%
This area
16.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
39.2%
This area
39.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
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 93923

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$32,841 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Carmel High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
799 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$32,841 Per Student
A Very Good

Carmel River Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
380 Students
👨‍🏫
20.0:1 Class Size
💰
$32,841 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Carmel Valley High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
21 Students
👨‍🏫
7.5:1 Class Size
💰
$32,841 Per Student
B Good

Carmel Child Development Center

📚 Grade KG 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 3,131 Off-Campus Students
C
Monterey Peninsula College
7,351 students · 13.8 mi
C
Naval Postgraduate School
2,600 students · 14.0 mi
C
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
503 students · 14.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,131 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is vacancy risk in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?

Vacancy risk in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA is elevated. That supports predictable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?

The renter base in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA is reasonable for the $5,142/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields measured tenants.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Investors tracking Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $2.4M median home values and $5,142/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting steady returns.

What is the best play in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($2.4M prices, $5,142/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

What are rental rates like in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?

Average rent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA is approximately $5,142/mo per month. Against $2.4M home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

You know 93923 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 93923 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 93923 ranks in Salinas, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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