Real Estate Investing in Santa Cruz, California (95064)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 95064 (Santa Cruz, 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: -2.6% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.9% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Santa Cruz, CA (95064)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 95064 Santa Cruz
ZIP 95064 inside Santa Cruz County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $688K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Rent of $3,429/mo on a $688K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 95064 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.
Nearby ZIPs in Santa Cruz have seen price recovery that 95064 has not matched. Santa Cruz County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Employment concentration in 95064 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
looks to 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 Santa Cruz:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 95064 Compare?
| Metric | 95064 | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $688,404 | $1,192,947 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | 1.3% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $3,429 | $3,369 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.9% | 2.4% | - | - |
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 95064 (Santa Cruz, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 95064 (Santa Cruz, CA)?
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Property managers serving Santa Cruz County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Distinct Property Management is a Santa Cruz Property Management Company. summary from their website
Pilot Property Management, Inc. provides HOA and Community Association Management, Developer Services, Escrow Services, and Commercial Property Management in various California counties and other stat summary from their website
PURE Property Management Silicon Valley Office. 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 | $688,404 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,429 |
| Price-to-Rent | 16.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.0% |
| Cap Rate | 3.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 1.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +11.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -0.1% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -2.6% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | 0.0% ▼ |
🏠 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 (3.9%). 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 95064
Population: 9,883
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 95064
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Bonny Doon Elementary
Santa Cruz County Special Education
Santa Cruz County Court
Pacific Collegiate Charter
Santa Cruz County Community
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 7,115 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are landlord laws favorable in Santa Cruz, CA?
CA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Santa Cruz inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
How deep is the rental pool in Santa Cruz, CA?
Santa Cruz, CA offers a reliable renter base at the $3,429/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
Which real estate strategy fits Santa Cruz, CA?
Most investors in Santa Cruz, 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.
How does Santa Cruz, CA rate as a rental market?
Santa Cruz, CA reflects an investability rating of 2.0/5, with median home values near $688K and average rents around $3,429/mo. That combination puts it in the robust tier for investor interest.
Does house hacking make sense in Santa Cruz, CA?
The house hack math a challenging in Santa Cruz, CA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $3,429/mo rents and $688K home values.
You know 95064 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 95064 ranks in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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