Real Estate Investing in Berkeley, California (94702)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 94702 (Berkeley, 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: -0.9% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Elevated vacancy: 9.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 39.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Berkeley, CA (94702)?
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Market Analysis: 94702 Berkeley
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Berkeley's 94702 ZIP posts signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $1.2M pricing implies.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 94702 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
The gap between 94702 and stronger Berkeley ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
In practical terms, 17,073 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.
tilts toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Berkeley:
Property Strategy for 94702
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $675,714 | $2,020 | 2.2% | -2.5% | $675,714 |
| 2BR | $1,027,372 | $2,470 | 1.7% | -0.6% | $513,686 |
| 3BR | $1,255,830 | $3,160 | 1.8% | +0.5% | $418,610 |
| 4BR | $1,439,432 | $3,740 | 1.9% | +0.8% | $359,858 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 94702 Compare?
| Metric | 94702 | Berkeley | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,211,125 | $1,269,347 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,581 | $3,105 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% | 1.8% | - | - |
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 94702 (Berkeley, 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 | $1,211,125 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,581 |
| Price-to-Rent | 39.1:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.6% |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 0.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.5% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -0.9% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +3.2% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -2.9% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +0.5% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.7%). 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 94702
Population: 17,073
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 94702
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle
Willard Middle
Emery Secondary
Oakland International High
Sankofa United Elementary
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 4,636 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which investment style suits Berkeley, CA?
In Berkeley, CA the robust play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $1.2M prices and $2,581/mo rents suits that approach.
How strong are rents in Berkeley, CA?
Rent in Berkeley, CA is around $2,581/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $1.2M pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
What is the rental occupancy rate in Berkeley, CA?
Rental vacancy in Berkeley, CA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.
Can I live-in-and-rent in Berkeley, CA?
Berkeley, CA offers a tougher house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $2,581/mo rent level.
Is the tenant base reliable in Berkeley, CA?
Tenant quality in Berkeley, CA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report even-keeled occupancy at market rents of $2,581/mo.
You know 94702 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94702 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 94702 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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