Real Estate Investing in Gustine, California (95322)

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

Merced County • Population: 9,013 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95322 (Gustine, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (34/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 13.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Higher unemployment: 8.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.1 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Gustine, CA (95322)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $424,312
Avg Monthly Rent $1,305
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,397
% Renters 47.1%

Market Analysis: 95322 Gustine

This part of Merced County is not an easy win. The 95322 ZIP shows softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

For an experienced owner, 95322 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $424K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader CA picture, 95322 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 95322 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Gustine averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategy in 95322 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $424K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Gustine:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 49/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,305/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Merced, CA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.4%
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 Merced, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 95322

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$118,664/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $313,263 $1,450 3.3% +4.4% $156,632
3BR $398,818 $1,990 3.6% +6.1% $132,939
4BR $474,656 $2,410 3.7% +5.7% $118,664
5BR $623,457 +5.6% $124,691

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$457K$382K$307K$232K$156K$81KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95322 Compare?

Metric 95322 Gustine Merced, CA California
Home Value $424,312 $424,312 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 2.8% 2.8% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,305 $1,305 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 95322? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 47% 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95322 (Gustine, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.8%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Merced, CA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
46%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $424,312
Monthly Rent $1,305
Price-to-Rent 27.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.7%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 5.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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
13.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95322

Population: 9,013

💰 Median Household Income
$59,397
This area
$59,397
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
47.1%
This area
47.1%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.3 years
This area
37.3 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 50.3%
Other/Mixed 46.0%
Hispanic/Latino 44.2%
Asian 2.9%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
26.6%
This area
26.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.2%
This area
14.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.5%
This area
5.5%
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 95322

B Avg School Grade
6 Schools
20.7:1 Avg Class Size
$16,125 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Romero Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
222 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,125 Per Student
B Good

Gustine Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
503 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,125 Per Student
B Good

Gustine High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
553 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,125 Per Student
B Good

Gustine Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
380 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,125 Per Student
C+ Average

Pioneer Headstart

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$16,125 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Pioneer High (Continuation)

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
21 Students
👨‍🏫
30.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,125 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors worry about vacancy in Gustine, CA?

Occupancy in Gustine, CA runs steady with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,305/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How strict are landlord regulations in Gustine, CA?

The landlord environment in Gustine, CA is tenant-protective. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

What are home prices like in Gustine, CA?

Gustine, CA home values average about $424K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,305/mo in monthly income.

What do landlords charge for rent in Gustine, CA?

Rents in Gustine, CA run near $1,305/mo. Compared with median home prices of $424K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Does house hacking work in Gustine, CA?

Gustine, CA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $424K price point reasonable to enter.

You know 95322 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 95322 ranks in Merced, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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