Real Estate Investing in Albany, California (94706)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Alameda County • Population: 20,486 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 94706 (Albany, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.7% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 37.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Albany, CA (94706)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,254,426
Avg Monthly Rent $2,762
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $125,410
% Renters 49.0%

Market Analysis: 94706 Albany

Investors eyeing 94706 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $1.3M come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 94706 comes in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 94706 and stronger Albany ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The demographic picture in 94706 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Albany averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The 94706 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.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Albany:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 46/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 10× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,762/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
38 days
Average time to sell
Average
7.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 94706

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+3.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$353,808/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $451,223 $2,500 4.0% -3.4% $451,223
2BR $979,717 $3,050 2.2% +2.1% $489,859
3BR $1,387,288 $3,900 2.0% +2.6% $462,429
4BR $1,648,156 $4,620 2.0% +3.3% $412,039
5BR $1,769,038 +3.4% $353,808

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.4M$1.2M$1.0M$818K$614K$411KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,196$3,066$2,935$2,805$2,675$2,544May 2022Jun 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 94706 Compare?

Metric 94706 Albany San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA California
Home Value $1,254,426 $1,254,426 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 0.7% 0.7% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $2,762 $2,762 N/A -
Cap Rate 1.7% 1.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 94706? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 49% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 94706 (Albany, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 94706 (Albany, CA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Community Association Management (CAM) provides management services for Common Interest Developments in the San Francisco Bay Area. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
1.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,254,426
Monthly Rent $2,762
Price-to-Rent 37.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.6%
Cap Rate 1.7%
5-Year IRR 2.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -6.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

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.

Vacancy
5.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 94706

Population: 20,486

💰 Median Household Income
$125,410
This area
$125,410
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
49.0%
This area
49.0%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
75.5%
This area
75.5%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.4 years
This area
37.4 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 47.4%
Asian 29.9%
Other/Mixed 18.5%
Hispanic/Latino 9.1%
Black/African American 4.2%
👶 Under 18
23.9%
This area
23.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.7%
This area
13.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.5%
This area
6.5%
USA
11.5%

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 94706

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
19.3:1 Avg Class Size
$30,369 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Albany Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
827 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$30,369 Per Student
B+ Above Average

MacGregor High (Continuation)

📚 10 – 12 High School
👥
10 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,369 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Albany High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,117 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,369 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Cornell Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
551 Students
👨‍🏫
22.4:1 Class Size
💰
$30,369 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Marin Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
514 Students
👨‍🏫
24.3:1 Class Size
💰
$30,369 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Ocean View Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
548 Students
👨‍🏫
22.6:1 Class Size
💰
$30,369 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1500 Derby St., Berkeley
👥
442 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$28,034 Per Student
A Very Good

Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1645 Milvia St., Berkeley
👥
404 Students
👨‍🏫
21.3:1 Class Size
💰
$28,034 Per Student
A Very Good

Malcolm X Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1731 Prince St., Berkeley
👥
460 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$28,034 Per Student
A Very Good

Rosa Parks Environmental Science

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 920 Allston Way, Berkeley
👥
371 Students
👨‍🏫
20.6:1 Class Size
💰
$28,034 Per Student
A Very Good

Ruth Acty Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 1400 Ada St., Berkeley
👥
396 Students
👨‍🏫
20.8:1 Class Size
💰
$28,034 Per Student
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

8 Nearby 4,636 Off-Campus Students
C
Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology
66 students · 1.8 mi
C
California Jazz Conservatory
20 students · 1.9 mi
C
Berkeley City College
6,547 students · 2.0 mi
D
Pacific School of Religion
128 students · 2.0 mi
D
Graduate Theological Union
178 students · 2.1 mi
C
Church Divinity School of the Pacific
54 students · 2.1 mi
D
Institute of Buddhist Studies
50 students · 2.3 mi
A
University of California-Berkeley
45,699 students · 2.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 4,636 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Albany, CA?

Expect median prices around $1.3M in Albany, CA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

How strong is the working-renter base in Albany, CA?

Tenant demand in Albany, CA is solid. The local workforce $2,762/mo rents across most rental classes.

What kind of market is Albany, CA for investors?

Investors tracking Albany, CA will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $1.3M median home values and $2,762/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

Is Albany, CA a good market for FHA house hackers?

Albany, CA is a a tougher market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $1.3M price point reasonable to enter.

Are there empty rentals in Albany, CA?

Albany, CA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader CA rental market.

You know 94706 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 94706 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.

Compare Plans

How 94706 ranks in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 94706 (Albany)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 94706 (Albany, CA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.