Real Estate Investing in Alameda, California (94502)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94502 (Alameda, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
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 (1.0% CAGR).
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Alameda, CA (94502)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94502 Alameda
ZIP 94502 inside Alameda County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $1.2M — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The 94502 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.
On balance, 94502 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 notable renter share of 16% in 94502 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 94502 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Alameda:
Property Strategy for 94502
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $867,078 | $3,390 | 2.8% | +2.4% | $433,539 |
| 3BR | $1,123,767 | $4,330 | 2.8% | +4.4% | $374,589 |
| 4BR | $1,480,099 | $5,150 | 2.5% | +5.5% | $370,025 |
| 5BR | $2,015,942 | — | — | +5.9% | $403,188 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94502 Compare?
| Metric | 94502 | Alameda | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,155,383 | $1,155,784 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 1.0% | 0.5% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $5,113 | $4,012 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% | 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 94502 (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 | $1,155,383 |
| Monthly Rent | $5,113 |
| Price-to-Rent | 18.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.3% |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.7% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.0% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +3.7% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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.
Demographics in 94502
Population: 13,359
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 94502
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Coliseum College Prep Academy
Lighthouse Community Charter High
Aurum Preparatory Academy
East Oakland Pride Elementary
Greenleaf
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
Should investors consider Alameda, CA?
The 2.0/5 investability rating in Alameda, CA reflects its $1.2M prices and $5,113/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within CA.
What monthly rent should investors expect in Alameda, CA?
Average rent in Alameda, CA is approximately $5,113/mo per month. Against $1.2M home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
Is Alameda, CA a friendly market for rental owners?
For rental operators, Alameda, CA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
Does a duplex house hack pencil in Alameda, CA?
The a tougher house-hack environment in Alameda, CA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
How high is vacancy risk in Alameda, CA?
Alameda, CA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect reliable absorption at market rents of $5,113/mo.
You know 94502 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94502 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 94502 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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