Real Estate Investing in Santa Rosa, California (95409)

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

Sonoma County • Population: 25,960 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95409 (Santa Rosa, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.1% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Santa Rosa, CA (95409)?

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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 $779,210
Avg Monthly Rent $2,703
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $100,225
% Renters 33.5%

Market Analysis: 95409 Santa Rosa

ZIP 95409 in Santa Rosa, CA carries a notable set of headwinds. Home values near $779K and rents of $2,703/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $779K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 95409 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In practical terms, 95409 offers a low basis, the region around Santa Rosa has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Resident income in 95409 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 95409 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Santa Rosa:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,703/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
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
48 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.6%
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 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 95409

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+3.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$236,053/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $414,155 $2,470 4.3% +1.0% $414,155
2BR $634,862 $3,240 3.7% +2.1% $317,431
3BR $793,683 $4,450 4.0% +2.6% $264,561
4BR $944,212 $4,750 3.6% +3.3% $236,053
5BR $1,194,905 +3.8% $238,981

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$828K$728K$628K$527K$427K$326KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,975$2,799$2,623$2,446$2,270$2,094Mar 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95409 Compare?

Metric 95409 Santa Rosa Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA California
Home Value $779,210 $724,131 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 1.1% 1.2% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $2,703 $2,642 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.9% - -
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 95409 (Santa Rosa, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Sonoma County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

PURE Property Management of California aims to provide simple and satisfying rental experiences for all. summary from their website

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Prestige Real Estate & Property Management offers Santa Rosa Property Management services. summary from their website

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The Professional Property Management Association of San Francisco (PPMA) represents professional management of residential and commercial space in San Francisco. summary from their website

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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
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.1%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $779,210
Monthly Rent $2,703
Price-to-Rent 24.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 3.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR 0.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -5.2% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
6.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.1%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95409

Population: 25,960

💰 Median Household Income
$100,225
This area
$100,225
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.5%
This area
33.5%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
48.5%
This area
48.5%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.0 years
This area
53.0 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.3%
Other/Mixed 17.9%
Hispanic/Latino 11.6%
Asian 6.9%
Black/African American 1.0%
👶 Under 18
16.0%
This area
16.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
34.2%
This area
34.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
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 95409

C+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
24.2:1 Avg Class Size
$18,022 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Madrone Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
393 Students
👨‍🏫
20.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,022 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Whited Elementary Charter

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,022 Per Student
B Good

Austin Creek Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
357 Students
👨‍🏫
23.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,022 Per Student
B Good

Sequoia Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
422 Students
👨‍🏫
25.6:1 Class Size
💰
$18,022 Per Student
B Good

Binkley Elementary Charter

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
375 Students
👨‍🏫
25.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,022 Per Student
C+ Average

Rincon Valley Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
780 Students
👨‍🏫
23.1:1 Class Size
C Below Average

Maria Carrillo High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,585 Students
👨‍🏫
22.8:1 Class Size
D Needs Improvement

Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter

📚 05 – 06 School Charter
👥
129 Students
👨‍🏫
32.3:1 Class Size

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Kawana Springs Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 2121 Moraga Dr., Santa Rosa
👥
317 Students
👨‍🏫
19.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,553 Per Student
B Good

John B. Riebli Elementary

📚 K – 06 School Charter
📍 315 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa
👥
404 Students
👨‍🏫
20.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,227 Per Student
B Good

Brook Hill Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 1850 Vallejo St., Santa Rosa
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
C+ Average

Hidden Valley Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 3435 Bonita Vista Dr., Santa Rosa
👥
456 Students
👨‍🏫
20.8:1 Class Size
C+ Average

Proctor Terrace Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
📍 1711 Bryden Ln., Santa Rosa
👥
326 Students
👨‍🏫
20.4:1 Class Size
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

6 Nearby 4,937 Off-Campus Students
C
Santa Rosa Junior College
16,803 students · 6.2 mi
C
Empire College
48 students · 6.8 mi
C
Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College
114 students · 8.9 mi
C+
Sonoma State University
5,990 students · 9.2 mi
C+
Pacific Union College
938 students · 11.7 mi
C
Bergin University of Canine Studies
18 students · 11.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 4,937 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Santa Rosa, CA?

Santa Rosa, CA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $779K price point reasonable to enter.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Santa Rosa, CA?

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

What is the investability score for Santa Rosa, CA?

Yes - Santa Rosa, CA a 2.0/5 investability score. With $779K home prices against $2,703/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is Santa Rosa, CA good for landlords?

For rental operators, Santa Rosa, CA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What kind of tenants rent in Santa Rosa, CA?

Santa Rosa, CA offers a consistent renter base at the $2,703/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

You know 95409 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 95409 ranks in Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

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