Real Estate Investing in Eureka, California (95551)

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

Humboldt County • Population: 1,870 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95551 (Eureka, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (27/100)

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
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -3.3% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.5% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

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

What’s happening in Eureka, CA (95551)?

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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 $441,013
Avg Monthly Rent $1,413
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $83,661
% Renters 46.3%

Market Analysis: 95551 Eureka

Investors eyeing 95551 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $441K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $441K asset, 95551 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 95551 among CA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 95551 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 95551 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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: 40/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,413/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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$581K$535K$489K$443K$397K$351KSep 2014Aug 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95551 Compare?

Metric 95551 Eureka Eureka-Arcata, CA California
Home Value $441,013 $419,845 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,413 $1,528 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 95551? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 46% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95551 (Eureka, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
-3.3%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $441,013
Monthly Rent $1,413
Price-to-Rent 26.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.8%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR N/A

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR -4.9% ▼
5-Year CAGR -3.3% ▼
10-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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
14.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-3.3%
Declining
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95551

Population: 1,870

💰 Median Household Income
$83,661
This area
$83,661
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
46.3%
This area
46.3%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
36.3%
This area
36.3%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.9 years
This area
34.9 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.5%
This area
14.5%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 74.0%
Other/Mixed 22.4%
Hispanic/Latino 7.5%
Black/African American 2.3%
Asian 1.2%
👶 Under 18
14.3%
This area
14.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.0%
This area
13.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
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 95551

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
15.0:1 Avg Class Size
$27,241 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Loleta Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
75 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$27,241 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

2 Nearby 1,635 Off-Campus Students
C+
College of the Redwoods
4,260 students · 2.4 mi
C
Fredrick and Charles Beauty College
67 students · 9.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,635 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What investment strategy works best in Eureka, CA?

The best-fit strategy in Eureka, CA is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

What is the average monthly rent in Eureka, CA?

Average rent in Eureka, CA is approximately $1,413/mo per month. Against $441K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Are tenants stable in Eureka, CA?

The renter base in Eureka, CA is reasonable for the $1,413/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Eureka, CA?

Eureka, CA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect reliable absorption at market rents of $1,413/mo.

Is Eureka, CA good for landlords?

Landlord-friendliness in Eureka, CA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

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How 95551 ranks in Eureka-Arcata, CA

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