Real Estate Investing in South San Francisco, California (94080)

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

San Mateo County • Population: 65,036 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 94080 (South San Francisco, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (42/100)

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
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in South San Francisco, CA (94080)?

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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 $1,233,459
Avg Monthly Rent $4,094
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $126,916
% Renters 38.4%

Market Analysis: 94080 South San Francisco

Investors eyeing 94080 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $1.2M come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 94080 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $1.2M median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within CA, ZIP 94080 trails on several market indicators that neighboring San Mateo County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.

A substantial renter share of 38% in 94080 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategically, 94080 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 South San Francisco:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 51/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 9.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $4,094/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 94080

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$331,066/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $565,102 $2,920 3.7% -1.9% $565,102
2BR $894,175 $3,530 2.8% +1.3% $447,088
3BR $1,188,713 $4,510 2.7% +2.7% $396,238
4BR $1,427,612 $4,670 2.4% +3.6% $356,903
5BR $1,655,332 +4.4% $331,066

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.3M$1.1M$947K$746K$546K$345KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$4,192$3,910$3,628$3,347$3,065$2,784May 2018Jun 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 94080 Compare?

Metric 94080 South San Francisco San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA California
Home Value $1,233,459 $1,233,459 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 1.5% 1.5% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $4,094 $4,094 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 94080? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 38% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 94080 (South San Francisco, 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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.5%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,233,459
Monthly Rent $4,094
Price-to-Rent 25.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 4.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +16.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
4.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.5%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 94080

Population: 65,036

💰 Median Household Income
$126,916
This area
$126,916
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.4%
This area
38.4%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
39.3%
This area
39.3%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.2 years
This area
42.2 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Asian 43.2%
White 28.9%
Other/Mixed 26.0%
Hispanic/Latino 21.1%
Black/African American 1.9%
👶 Under 18
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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 94080

B+ Avg School Grade
14 Schools
18.8:1 Avg Class Size
$19,295 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Parkway Heights Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
587 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
A Very Good

Westborough Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
519 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Alta Loma Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
649 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Los Cerritos Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
305 Students
👨‍🏫
20.3:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Martin Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
382 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Ponderosa Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
370 Students
👨‍🏫
20.5:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Spruce Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
21.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sunshine Gardens Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
334 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Baden High (Continuation)

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
118 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B Good

Buri Buri Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
555 Students
👨‍🏫
22.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B Good

El Camino High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,088 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B Good

South San Francisco High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,287 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,295 Per Student
B Good

Hillside Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary Limited Data
💰
$19,295 Per Student
C+ Average

Community Day

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$19,295 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 12,665 Off-Campus Students
C
Unitek College
255 students · 1.9 mi
C
Skyline College
9,428 students · 3.1 mi
C+
Hilltop Beauty School
79 students · 4.1 mi
C
City College of San Francisco
17,808 students · 5.1 mi
C+
San Francisco State University
23,908 students · 5.5 mi
D
San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork
131 students · 7.6 mi
C
University of California-San Francisco
3,126 students · 7.8 mi
C
California College of the Arts
1,333 students · 7.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 12,665 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What monthly rent should investors expect in South San Francisco, CA?

Rents in South San Francisco, CA run near $4,094/mo. Compared with median home prices of $1.2M that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Does house hacking make sense in South San Francisco, CA?

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

What price range are homes in South San Francisco, CA?

In South San Francisco, CA the median home value sits at $1.2M. Against the broader CA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How landlord-friendly is South San Francisco, CA?

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

How qualified is the tenant pool in South San Francisco, CA?

Working renters make up the core of the South San Francisco, CA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 94080 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94080 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 94080 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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