Real Estate Investing in Merced, California (95348)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 95348 (Merced, 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.
- Elevated vacancy: 8.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Merced, CA (95348)?
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Market Analysis: 95348 Merced
Investors eyeing 95348 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $417K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
The investment case in 95348 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $417K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.
Within CA, ZIP 95348 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Merced County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.
Resident income in 95348 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
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 Merced:
Property Strategy for 95348
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $279,927 | $1,840 | 4.7% | +6.6% | $139,963 |
| 3BR | $383,616 | $2,530 | 4.7% | +6.7% | $127,872 |
| 4BR | $442,588 | $3,060 | 5.0% | +6.4% | $110,647 |
| 5BR | $508,509 | — | — | +6.6% | $101,702 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 95348 Compare?
| Metric | 95348 | Merced | Merced, CA | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $416,649 | $238,482 | N/A | $761,003 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.2% | 3.3% | N/A | 5.7% |
| Avg Rent | $2,115 | $1,799 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% | 3.5% | - | - |
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 95348 (Merced, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $416,649 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,115 |
| Price-to-Rent | 16.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.1% |
| Cap Rate | 4.0% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +6.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +7.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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 95348
Population: 36,663
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 95348
Schools in This ZIP Code
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 4,493 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do home values compare in Merced, CA?
Expect median prices around $417K in Merced, CA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.
Is Merced, CA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
Merced, CA stands at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $417K and average rents around $2,115/mo. That combination puts it in the robust tier for investor interest.
Is Merced, CA a friendly market for rental owners?
CA ranks as a tenant-protective state for landlord-tenant law. Merced generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
Are rents high in Merced, CA?
Rent in Merced, CA is around $2,115/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $417K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
Are renters plentiful in Merced, CA?
Merced, CA offers a even-keeled renter base at the $2,115/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
You know 95348 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 95348 ranks in Merced, CA
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