Real Estate Investing in San Francisco, California (94117)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94117 (San Francisco, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.
Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.
- Elevated vacancy: 10.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.1% CAGR).
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in San Francisco, CA (94117)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94117 San Francisco
Investors eyeing 94117 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $1.7M come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
On balance, the numbers look inviting — $1.7M purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 94117 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Within CA, ZIP 94117 trails on several market indicators that neighboring San Francisco County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.
Turning to rents, 37,575 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
The 94117 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in San Francisco:
Property Strategy for 94117
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $770,892 | $3,160 | 3.0% | -1.8% | $770,892 |
| 2BR | $1,206,809 | $3,820 | 2.3% | -0.9% | $603,405 |
| 3BR | $1,697,741 | $4,880 | 2.1% | -2.5% | $565,914 |
| 4BR | $2,667,233 | $5,060 | 1.4% | -0.6% | $666,808 |
| 5BR | $3,253,764 | — | — | -2.0% | $650,753 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94117 Compare?
| Metric | 94117 | San Francisco | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,668,808 | $693,502 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.1% | N/A | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $4,779 | $4,437 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.6% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 94117 (San Francisco, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,668,808 |
| Monthly Rent | $4,779 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 3.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +18.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +1.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +18.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +10.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
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.
Demographics in 94117
Population: 37,575
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 94117
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Everett Middle
Brown Jr. (Willie L) Middle
Francisco Middle
King (Thomas Starr) Elementary
Lick (James) Middle
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smart move for investors in San Francisco, CA?
The best-fit strategy in San Francisco, CA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
How strong are rents in San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco, CA rentals go for roughly $4,779/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $1.7M acquisition costs.
What is the typical renter like in San Francisco, CA?
The tenant pool in San Francisco, CA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $4,779/mo are well-absorbed by the market.
Is San Francisco, CA a smart market for rental property?
Our data puts San Francisco, CA at 2.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $1.7M and rents around $4,779/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
How strict are landlord regulations in San Francisco, CA?
CA ranks as a tenant-protective state for landlord-tenant law. San Francisco generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
You know 94117 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94117 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.
How 94117 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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