Real Estate Investing in Eureka, California (95503)

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

Humboldt County • Population: 24,442 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 95503 (Eureka, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (35/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
  • Declining values: -0.7% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Eureka, CA (95503)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $430,110
Avg Monthly Rent $1,743
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,307
% Renters 28.5%

Market Analysis: 95503 Eureka

This part of Humboldt County is not an easy win. The 95503 ZIP posts softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 95503 is notable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $430K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 95503's metrics run below Humboldt County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 95503 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 95503, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Eureka:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 46/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,743/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
Eureka-Arcata, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
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 Eureka-Arcata, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 95503

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+5.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$133,414/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $276,475 $1,300 3.4% +3.3% $276,475
2BR $344,981 $1,700 3.5% +4.1% $172,491
3BR $447,724 $2,360 3.8% +5.0% $149,241
4BR $533,658 $2,850 3.8% +4.9% $133,414

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$514K$462K$409K$357K$304K$252KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,802$1,743$1,685$1,626$1,567$1,509Oct 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95503 Compare?

Metric 95503 Eureka Eureka-Arcata, CA California
Home Value $430,110 $419,845 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,743 $1,528 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 2.8% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95503 (Eureka, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 95503 (Eureka, CA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
-0.7%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $430,110
Monthly Rent $1,743
Price-to-Rent 20.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 2.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR -0.7% ▼
10-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.2%). 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
6.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-0.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95503

Population: 24,442

💰 Median Household Income
$68,307
This area
$68,307
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.9%
This area
30.9%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.7 years
This area
45.7 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 77.2%
Other/Mixed 18.9%
Hispanic/Latino 9.4%
Asian 3.0%
Black/African American 0.9%
👶 Under 18
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.7%
This area
24.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
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 95503

B Avg School Grade
14 Schools
20.2:1 Avg Class Size
$33,922 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Glen Paul

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
121 Students
👨‍🏫
7.1:1 Class Size
💰
$243,683 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Northern United - Humboldt Charter

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
315 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,676 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Alice Birney Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
383 Students
👨‍🏫
25.8:1 Class Size
💰
$20,176 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Ridgewood Elementary

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
259 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,461 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Winship Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
409 Students
👨‍🏫
23.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,176 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Garfield Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
67 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,106 Per Student
B Good

Grant Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
273 Students
👨‍🏫
24.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,176 Per Student
B Good

Pine Hill Elementary

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
199 Students
👨‍🏫
18.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,768 Per Student
B Good

Washington Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
469 Students
👨‍🏫
26.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,176 Per Student
B Good

Cutten Elementary

📚 03 – 06 School
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
23.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,461 Per Student
C+ Average

South Bay Charter

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
63 Students
👨‍🏫
19.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,768 Per Student
C+ Average

South Bay Elementary

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
145 Students
👨‍🏫
24.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,768 Per Student
C+ Average

Freshwater Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
265 Students
👨‍🏫
22.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,259 Per Student
C Below Average

Freshwater Charter Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle Charter
👥
48 Students
👨‍🏫
24.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,259 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

4 Nearby 2,287 Off-Campus Students
C+
College of the Redwoods
4,260 students · 5.7 mi
C
Fredrick and Charles Beauty College
67 students · 6.4 mi
C+
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
6,156 students · 10.6 mi
D
Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre
8 students · 12.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,287 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tenants stable in Eureka, CA?

The tenant pool in Eureka, CA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,743/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Eureka, CA?

House hacking in Eureka, CA is a challenging. With home values around $430K and rents at $1,743/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Eureka, CA?

Rental vacancy in Eureka, CA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What do landlords charge for rent in Eureka, CA?

Investors in Eureka, CA typically see rents near $1,743/mo per month against $430K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Are homes affordable in Eureka, CA?

Expect median prices around $430K in Eureka, CA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.

You know 95503 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 95503 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.

Compare Plans

How 95503 ranks in Eureka-Arcata, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 95503 (Eureka)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 95503 (Eureka, CA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.