Real Estate Investing in Los Altos, California (94024)

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

Santa Clara County • Population: 23,673 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 94024 (Los Altos, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (47/100)

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 43.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Los Altos, CA (94024)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $4,618,964
Avg Monthly Rent $8,797
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $250,001
% Renters 12.0%

Market Analysis: 94024 Los Altos

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Los Altos's 94024 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $4.6M pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $4.6M asset, 94024 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within CA, ZIP 94024 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Santa Clara County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

The 94024 ZIP's population of 23,673 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 94024 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $4.6M 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 Los Altos:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 18.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $8,797/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
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
37 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.9%
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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 94024

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
1.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$1,030,934/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $3,091,225 $4,340 1.0% +6.3% $1,545,613
3BR $3,910,895 $5,730 1.1% +7.4% $1,303,632
4BR $4,431,242 $6,240 1.0% +6.6% $1,107,811
5BR $5,154,671 +6.0% $1,030,934

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$5.0M$4.2M$3.5M$2.7M$1.9M$1.1MJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$9,030$8,354$7,678$7,002$6,326$5,650May 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 94024 Compare?

Metric 94024 Los Altos San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA California
Home Value $4,618,964 $4,850,183 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 5.3% 5.3% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $8,797 $8,438 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.5% 1.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 94024? 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 94024 (Los Altos, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Santa Clara County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Aborn Properties are leading experts in property management in the San Jose area. summary from their website

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Investment Property Management in San Jose and Santa Clara County since 1969. summary from their website

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San Jose Property Managers offering residential property management services including marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, accounting, and eviction. 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
1.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $4,618,964
Monthly Rent $8,797
Price-to-Rent 43.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.3%
Cap Rate 1.5%
5-Year IRR 6.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +42.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.5%). 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
5.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 94024

Population: 23,673

💰 Median Household Income
$250,001
This area
$250,001
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.0%
This area
12.0%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
84.6%
This area
84.6%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.4 years
This area
47.4 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 55.9%
Asian 34.8%
Other/Mixed 8.3%
Hispanic/Latino 4.4%
Black/African American 1.0%
👶 Under 18
24.5%
This area
24.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
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 94024

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
19.1:1 Avg Class Size
$21,201 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Georgina P. Blach Junior High

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
404 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$22,218 Per Student
A Very Good

Covington Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
407 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,218 Per Student
A Very Good

Loyola Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
351 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,218 Per Student
A Very Good

Oak Avenue Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
328 Students
👨‍🏫
19.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,218 Per Student
B Good

Montclaire Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
406 Students
👨‍🏫
21.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,117 Per Student
B Good

LASD Preschool

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$22,218 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Gardner Bullis Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 25890 Fremont Rd., Los Altos Hills
👥
293 Students
👨‍🏫
17.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,218 Per Student
A Very Good

Isaac Newton Graham Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1175 Castro St., Mountain View
👥
870 Students
👨‍🏫
17.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,140 Per Student
A Very Good

Almond Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 550 Almond Ave., Los Altos
👥
365 Students
👨‍🏫
19.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,218 Per Student
A Very Good

Amy Imai Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 253 Martens Ave., Mountain View
👥
398 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$28,140 Per Student
A Very Good

Ardis G. Egan Junior High

📚 07 – 08 Middle
📍 100 West Portola Ave., Los Altos
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,218 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 7,648 Off-Campus Students
C+
Foothill College
12,931 students · 1.8 mi
D
Foothill-De Anza Community College District
0 students · 1.8 mi
C+
De Anza College
16,990 students · 3.6 mi
C
Palo Alto University
1,223 students · 5.4 mi
D
California University-Silicon Valley
0 students · 5.5 mi
C
Sofia University
1,037 students · 5.6 mi
C
University of East-West Medicine
110 students · 6.1 mi
A
Stanford University
18,446 students · 6.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 7,648 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are vacancy rates like in Los Altos, CA?

Vacancy in Los Altos, CA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $8,797/mo.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Los Altos, CA?

For rental operators, Los Altos, CA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Where do rents currently stand in Los Altos, CA?

Investors in Los Altos, CA typically see rents near $8,797/mo per month against $4.6M home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Los Altos, CA?

For house hackers, Los Altos, CA is a tougher. The $8,797/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $4.6M property.

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

Los Altos, CA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $4.6M and rents near $8,797/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

You know 94024 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 94024 ranks in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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