Real Estate Investing in Salinas, California (93962)

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

Monterey County • Population: 189 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 93962 (Salinas, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

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
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Salinas, CA (93962)?

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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 $851,819
Avg Monthly Rent $3,159
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income N/A
% Renters 25.2%

Market Analysis: 93962 Salinas

On the rental side, ZIP 93962 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $852K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

For an experienced owner, 93962 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $852K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader CA picture, 93962 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 93962 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The 93962 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 Salinas:

Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost × the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,159/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)

$900K$783K$666K$549K$432K$315KJan 2013Oct 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 93962 Compare?

Metric 93962 Salinas Salinas, CA California
Home Value $851,819 $458,105 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 3.0% 3.5% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $3,159 $2,932 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 93962? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 93962 (Salinas, 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
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.0%
Slow

📉 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 $851,819
Monthly Rent $3,159
Price-to-Rent 22.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 5.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
0.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 93962

Population: 189

💰 Median Household Income
N/A
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.2%
This area
25.2%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
49.5%
This area
49.5%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
70.1 years
This area
70.1 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 72.7%
Other/Mixed 27.3%
Hispanic/Latino 11.1%
👶 Under 18
0.0%
This area
0.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
81.8%
This area
81.8%
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 93962

C+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
22.4:1 Avg Class Size
$13,167 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

C+ Average

Spreckels Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
555 Students
👨‍🏫
22.4:1 Class Size
💰
$13,167 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

Roosevelt Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 120 Capitol St., Salinas
👥
556 Students
👨‍🏫
21.4:1 Class Size
💰
$18,127 Per Student
B+ Above Average

University Park Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 833 West Acacia St., Salinas
👥
482 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,127 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Monterey County Home Charter

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
📍 901 Blanco Cir., Salinas
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$248,676 Per Student
B Good

Lincoln Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 705 California St., Salinas
👥
644 Students
👨‍🏫
23.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,127 Per Student
B Good

Mission Park Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 403 West Acacia St., Salinas
👥
619 Students
👨‍🏫
23.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,127 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 5,826 Off-Campus Students
C
Hartnell College
8,478 students · 3.6 mi
C
Waynes College of Beauty
46 students · 5.3 mi
C
Central Coast College
565 students · 5.6 mi
C
CET-Salinas
187 students · 5.7 mi
B
California State University-Monterey Bay
6,742 students · 8.5 mi
C
Naval Postgraduate School
2,600 students · 12.8 mi
C
Monterey Peninsula College
7,351 students · 13.4 mi
C
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
503 students · 14.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,826 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Salinas, CA?

The typical rental in Salinas, CA commands about $3,159/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $852K purchase basis.

How much does a house cost in Salinas, CA?

The median home value in Salinas, CA is roughly $852K. That puts it reasonable relative to the CA statewide average.

Is real estate in Salinas, CA a good investment right now?

Investors tracking Salinas, CA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $852K median home values and $3,159/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

What are vacancy rates like in Salinas, CA?

Salinas, CA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $3,159/mo.

How should investors approach Salinas, CA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Salinas, CA. With home values at $852K and rents near $3,159/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.

You know 93962 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 93962 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 93962 ranks in Salinas, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

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