Real Estate Investing in Grass Valley, California (95949)

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

Nevada County • Population: 20,709 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95949 (Grass Valley, 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 (0.2% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Grass Valley, CA (95949)?

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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 $548,996
Avg Monthly Rent $2,075
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $90,293
% Renters 10.9%

Market Analysis: 95949 Grass Valley

The 95949 ZIP in Grass Valley, CA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $549K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $549K asset, 95949 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Nearby ZIPs in Grass Valley have seen price recovery that 95949 has not matched. Nevada County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The 95949 ZIP's population of 20,709 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 95949 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $549K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 51/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,075/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 95949

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+3.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$151,627/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $371,993 $1,530 3.0% -0.4% $371,993
2BR $437,134 $2,010 3.3% +2.7% $218,567
3BR $536,199 $2,800 3.8% +3.3% $178,733
4BR $677,147 $3,370 3.6% +3.5% $169,287
5BR $758,135 +3.5% $151,627

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$612K$533K$454K$375K$296K$217KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 95949 Compare?

Metric 95949 Grass Valley Truckee-Grass Valley, CA California
Home Value $548,996 $518,614 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 0.2% 0.4% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $2,075 $2,036 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.1% - -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95949 (Grass Valley, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.2%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $548,996
Monthly Rent $2,075
Price-to-Rent 22.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 3.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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.

Vacancy
5.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.2%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95949

Population: 20,709

💰 Median Household Income
$90,293
This area
$90,293
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.9%
This area
10.9%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
31.9%
This area
31.9%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.4 years
This area
53.4 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.9%
This area
5.9%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 89.4%
Other/Mixed 9.1%
Hispanic/Latino 4.2%
Asian 0.9%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
14.6%
This area
14.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
29.2%
This area
29.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
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 95949

C+ Avg School Grade
8 Schools
20.4:1 Avg Class Size
$15,060 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Bear River High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
634 Students
👨‍🏫
20.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,634 Per Student
B+ Above Average

John Muir Charter

📚 06 – 12 High School Charter
👥
589 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,800 Per Student
B Good

Clear Creek Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
163 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,483 Per Student
B Good

Magnolia Intermediate

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
362 Students
👨‍🏫
20.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,712 Per Student
C+ Average

Alta Sierra Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
331 Students
👨‍🏫
22.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,712 Per Student
C+ Average

Cottage Hill Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
494 Students
👨‍🏫
22.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,712 Per Student
C+ Average

Pleasant Ridge Special Education Preschool

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$13,712 Per Student
C Below Average

Arete Charter Academy

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
239 Students
👨‍🏫
22.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,712 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grass Valley, CA good for landlords?

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

What is the typical renter like in Grass Valley, CA?

Tenant quality in Grass Valley, CA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $2,075/mo.

How expensive is real estate in Grass Valley, CA?

Median home price in Grass Valley, CA is near $549K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been steady and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Should investors consider Grass Valley, CA?

With a 2.0/5 investability score, Grass Valley, CA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $549K and rents of $2,075/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Which investment style suits Grass Valley, CA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Grass Valley, CA best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $549K price point.

You know 95949 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 95949 ranks in Truckee-Grass Valley, CA

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