Real Estate Investing in Alameda, California (94501)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94501 (Alameda, 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.
- Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.1% CAGR).
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 33.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Alameda, CA (94501)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94501 Alameda
This part of Alameda County is not an easy win. The 94501 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 94501 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Turning to rents, 94501 offers a low basis, the region around Alameda has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
A resilient renter share of 59% in 94501 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 94501 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Alameda:
Property Strategy for 94501
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $467,412 | $2,530 | 3.9% | -2.3% | $467,412 |
| 2BR | $864,422 | $3,090 | 2.6% | +1.5% | $432,211 |
| 3BR | $1,191,937 | $3,950 | 2.4% | +2.7% | $397,312 |
| 4BR | $1,416,988 | $4,680 | 2.4% | +3.4% | $354,247 |
| 5BR | $1,638,179 | — | — | +3.5% | $327,636 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94501 Compare?
| Metric | 94501 | Alameda | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,156,185 | $1,155,784 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 0.1% | 0.5% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,912 | $4,012 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% | 2.7% | - | - |
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 94501 (Alameda, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Alameda County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Accountable Property Management offers residential, commercial, and HOA property management services in Hayward, CA and the Greater Bay Area Rental Market. summary from their website
Advent Properties, Inc. offers comprehensive, responsive, and professional property management and real estate services in the Bay Area, East Bay, and Sacramento regions. summary from their website
Community Association Management (CAM) provides management services for Common Interest Developments in the San Francisco Bay Area. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,156,185 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,912 |
| Price-to-Rent | 33.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.0% |
| Cap Rate | 2.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 2.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +0.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +3.0% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +5.5% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.4% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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 94501
Population: 63,517
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 94501
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 8,181 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How expensive is real estate in Alameda, CA?
Alameda, CA median home values land near $1.2M. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,912/mo-per-month rentals.
What is the smart move for investors in Alameda, CA?
Alameda, CA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($1.2M prices, $2,912/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
What do rentals go for in Alameda, CA?
Investors in Alameda, CA typically see rents near $2,912/mo per month against $1.2M home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Does house hacking make sense in Alameda, CA?
Alameda, CA is a a tougher market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $1.2M price point reasonable to enter.
Are tenants stable in Alameda, CA?
Tenant quality in Alameda, CA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $2,912/mo.
You know 94501 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94501 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 94501 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
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