Real Estate Investing in Pacifica, California (94044)

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

San Mateo County • Population: 37,540 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 94044 (Pacifica, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
3 flags
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.7% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Pacifica, CA (94044)?

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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 $1,276,756
Avg Monthly Rent $3,582
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $151,680
% Renters 31.6%

Market Analysis: 94044 Pacifica

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Pacifica's 94044 ZIP shows signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $1.3M pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 94044 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $1.3M reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Within CA, ZIP 94044 trails on several market indicators that neighboring San Mateo County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 94044 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Pacifica averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 94044 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $1.3M 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 Pacifica:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 46/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.4× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,582/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 Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
38 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.6%
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 Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 94044

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+3.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$318,230/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $858,281 $3,380 2.8% -0.3% $858,281
2BR $917,188 $4,090 3.2% +1.3% $458,594
3BR $1,204,620 $5,220 3.1% +2.0% $401,540
4BR $1,431,562 $5,420 2.7% +3.1% $357,891
5BR $1,591,148 +2.9% $318,230

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.5M$1.2M$1.0M$818K$606K$393KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,649$3,475$3,300$3,126$2,952$2,777Jan 2019Oct 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 94044 Compare?

Metric 94044 Pacifica San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA California
Home Value $1,276,756 $1,276,756 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 0.7% 0.7% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $3,582 $3,582 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% - -
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 94044 (Pacifica, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving San Mateo County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Bayside Property Management is a Peninsula Property Management Company serving San Mateo County. summary from their website

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Boardwalk Investments Property Management specializes in property management and leasing in San Francisco and the Northern Peninsula. summary from their website

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Five Star Property Management is a leader in single-family, condominium, and multi-family apartment rentals property management in San Mateo and Northern California. 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
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,276,756
Monthly Rent $3,582
Price-to-Rent 29.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 2.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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.

Vacancy
3.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 94044

Population: 37,540

💰 Median Household Income
$151,680
This area
$151,680
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.6%
This area
31.6%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.8%
This area
47.8%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.1 years
This area
43.1 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 57.6%
Asian 21.5%
Other/Mixed 18.8%
Hispanic/Latino 10.1%
Black/African American 2.2%
👶 Under 18
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
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 94044

B Avg School Grade
10 Schools
19.4:1 Avg Class Size
$20,180 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Terra Nova High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
697 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$33,180 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Oceana High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
491 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$33,180 Per Student
B Good

Ingrid B. Lacy Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
469 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,930 Per Student
B Good

Ocean Shore Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
401 Students
👨‍🏫
22.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,930 Per Student
B Good

Sunset Ridge Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
380 Students
👨‍🏫
21.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,930 Per Student
B Good

Pacifica Independent Home Study

📚 K – 08 School
👥
19 Students
👨‍🏫
9.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,930 Per Student
B Good

Cabrillo Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
534 Students
👨‍🏫
23.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,930 Per Student
B Good

Ortega Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
402 Students
👨‍🏫
22.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,930 Per Student
B Good

Vallemar Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
519 Students
👨‍🏫
23.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,930 Per Student
C+ Average

Linda Mar Educational Center

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$16,930 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 13,033 Off-Campus Students
C
Skyline College
9,428 students · 1.9 mi
C
Unitek College
255 students · 3.8 mi
C+
Hilltop Beauty School
79 students · 7.0 mi
C+
San Francisco State University
23,908 students · 8.0 mi
C
City College of San Francisco
17,808 students · 8.5 mi
C+
College of San Mateo
9,208 students · 9.3 mi
D
San Mateo County Community College District Office
0 students · 9.3 mi
C
University of California-San Francisco
3,126 students · 11.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 13,033 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Pacifica, CA?

Rents in Pacifica, CA run near $3,582/mo. Compared with median home prices of $1.3M that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Pacifica, CA?

Occupancy in Pacifica, CA runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $3,582/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

What investment strategy works best in Pacifica, CA?

In Pacifica, CA the resilient play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $1.3M prices and $3,582/mo rents suits that approach.

How strong is tenant demand in Pacifica, CA?

Pacifica, CA draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $3,582/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Pacifica, CA?

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

You know 94044 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 94044 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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