Real Estate Investing in Grass Valley, California (95945)

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

Nevada County • Population: 27,675 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95945 (Grass Valley, 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
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.1% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.6% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Grass Valley, CA (95945)?

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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 $488,233
Avg Monthly Rent $1,996
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,943
% Renters 42.7%

Market Analysis: 95945 Grass Valley

This part of Nevada County is not an easy win. The 95945 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

In practical terms, the numbers look inviting — $488K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 95945 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Meanwhile, 95945 offers a low basis, the region around Grass Valley has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 95945 ZIP's population of 27,675 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that records the need for careful underwriting.

The 95945 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Grass Valley:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 46/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,996/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
Truckee-Grass Valley, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
47 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.4%
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 Truckee-Grass Valley, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 95945

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+3.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$141,538/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $322,461 $1,230 2.7% +3.0% $322,461
2BR $402,668 $1,610 2.9% +3.5% $201,334
3BR $519,920 $2,260 3.1% +3.4% $173,307
4BR $626,610 $2,700 3.1% +3.3% $156,653
5BR $707,692 +3.9% $141,538

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$532K$463K$394K$326K$257K$189KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,117$2,043$1,969$1,895$1,821$1,747Mar 2023Nov 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95945 Compare?

Metric 95945 Grass Valley Truckee-Grass Valley, CA California
Home Value $488,233 $518,614 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 0.6% 0.4% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,996 $2,036 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.2% 3.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 95945? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 43% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95945 (Grass Valley, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.6%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $488,233
Monthly Rent $1,996
Price-to-Rent 20.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.9%
Cap Rate 3.2%
5-Year IRR 3.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -3.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
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
10.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95945

Population: 27,675

💰 Median Household Income
$59,943
This area
$59,943
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
42.7%
This area
42.7%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
32.1%
This area
32.1%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.1 years
This area
49.1 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.5%
Other/Mixed 11.1%
Hispanic/Latino 5.8%
Asian 1.1%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
29.5%
This area
29.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
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 95945

B Avg School Grade
15 Schools
19.7:1 Avg Class Size
$20,843 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Bitney Prep High

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
91 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$39,763 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Silver Springs High (Continuation)

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
164 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$21,634 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Chicago Park Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
121 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,043 Per Student
B Good

Lyman Gilmore Middle

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
453 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,535 Per Student
B Good

Margaret G. Scotten Elementary

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
346 Students
👨‍🏫
19.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,535 Per Student
B Good

Early Childhood Education

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$39,763 Per Student
B Good

Bell Hill Academy

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
231 Students
👨‍🏫
21.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,535 Per Student
B Good

Nevada Union High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,457 Students
👨‍🏫
23.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,634 Per Student
B Good

North Point Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
130 Students
👨‍🏫
21.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,634 Per Student
C+ Average

Chicago Park Community Charter

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
35 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,043 Per Student
C+ Average

Grass Valley Charter

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
521 Students
👨‍🏫
24.8:1 Class Size
💰
$16,535 Per Student
C+ Average

Union Hill Elementary

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
543 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,984 Per Student
C+ Average

Grass Valley Preschool

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$16,535 Per Student
C+ Average

William & Marian Ghidotti High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
154 Students
👨‍🏫
25.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,634 Per Student
C Below Average

Yuba River Charter

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
322 Students
👨‍🏫
26.3:1 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grass Valley, CA a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Grass Valley, CA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $488K and rents near $1,996/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is the average monthly rent in Grass Valley, CA?

The typical rental in Grass Valley, CA commands about $1,996/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $488K purchase basis.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Grass Valley, CA?

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

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Grass Valley, CA?

House hacking works a challenging in Grass Valley, CA. Rents of $1,996/mo against $488K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Grass Valley, CA?

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

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How 95945 ranks in Truckee-Grass Valley, CA

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