Real Estate Investing in San Jose, California (95138)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 95138 (San Jose, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 35.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in San Jose, CA (95138)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 95138 San Jose
The 95138 ZIP in San Jose, CA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $1.8M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.8M asset, 95138 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Nearby ZIPs in San Jose have seen price recovery that 95138 has not matched. Santa Clara data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
Employment concentration in 95138 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
The 95138 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in San Jose:
Property Strategy for 95138
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $796,687 | $3,460 | 3.1% | +2.1% | $398,344 |
| 3BR | $1,256,911 | $4,570 | 2.6% | +6.3% | $418,970 |
| 4BR | $1,882,195 | $4,980 | 1.9% | +8.0% | $470,549 |
| 5BR | $3,273,044 | — | — | +9.3% | $654,609 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 95138 Compare?
| Metric | 95138 | San Jose | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,763,230 | $1,409,049 | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.1% | 3.5% | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $4,141 | $3,714 | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% | 2.2% | - |
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 95138 (San Jose, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 95138 (San Jose, CA)?
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Property managers serving Santa Clara County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Aborn Properties are leading experts in property management in the San Jose area. summary from their website
Investment Property Management in San Jose and Santa Clara County since 1969. summary from their website
San Jose Property Managers offering residential property management services including marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, accounting, and eviction. 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 | $1,763,230 |
| Monthly Rent | $4,141 |
| Price-to-Rent | 35.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.8% |
| Cap Rate | 1.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +1.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.0% ▲ |
🏠 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 (1.8%). 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 95138
Population: 19,513
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 95138
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (2 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Martin Murphy Middle
Los Paseos 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 15,933 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rent can I charge in San Jose, CA?
San Jose, CA rentals go for roughly $4,141/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $1.8M acquisition costs.
Are homes affordable in San Jose, CA?
San Jose, CA median home values land near $1.8M. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $4,141/mo-per-month rentals.
What are vacancy rates like in San Jose, CA?
San Jose, CA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader CA rental market.
How should investors approach San Jose, CA?
In San Jose, CA the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $1.8M prices and $4,141/mo rents suits that approach.
Should investors consider San Jose, CA?
With a 3.0/5 investability score, San Jose, CA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $1.8M and rents of $4,141/mo drive the underlying numbers.
You know 95138 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 95138 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.
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