Real Estate Investing in Emeryville, California (94608)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94608 (Emeryville, 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.
- Declining values: -4.1% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Elevated vacancy: 9.5% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Emeryville, CA (94608)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 94608 Emeryville
ZIP 94608 inside Alameda County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $614K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
The investment case in 94608 is healthy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $614K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Nearby ZIPs in Emeryville have seen price recovery that 94608 has not matched. Alameda County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Who lives in 94608 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategically, 94608 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 Emeryville:
Property Strategy for 94608
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $405,864 | $2,660 | 4.7% | -5.3% | $405,864 |
| 2BR | $657,537 | $3,250 | 3.6% | -3.7% | $328,768 |
| 3BR | $785,266 | $4,160 | 3.8% | -3.3% | $261,755 |
| 4BR | $893,289 | $4,930 | 4.0% | -2.2% | $223,322 |
| 5BR | $999,805 | — | — | -1.9% | $199,961 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94608 Compare?
| Metric | 94608 | Emeryville | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $613,545 | $613,545 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,981 | $2,981 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | - | - |
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 94608 (Emeryville, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $613,545 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,981 |
| Price-to-Rent | 17.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.8% |
| Cap Rate | 3.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | N/A |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -2.8% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -5.2% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -4.1% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +0.8% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +3.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.8% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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 94608
Population: 33,998
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 94608
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle
Westlake Middle
Kaiser Early Childhood Center
West Oakland Middle
McClymonds High
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 price range are homes in Emeryville, CA?
Expect median prices around $614K in Emeryville, CA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.
Is vacancy a concern in Emeryville, CA?
Vacancy in Emeryville, CA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,981/mo.
What approach is best for Emeryville, CA real estate?
Most investors in Emeryville, CA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
Does house hacking make sense in Emeryville, CA?
The house hack math a challenging in Emeryville, CA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,981/mo rents and $614K home values.
How do landlord-tenant laws work in Emeryville, CA?
Emeryville, CA operates under CA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect reliable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
You know 94608 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94608 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 94608 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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