Real Estate Investing in Lewiston, California (96052)

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

Trinity County • Population: 2,817 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 96052 (Lewiston, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (31/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 34.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.4% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

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

What’s happening in Lewiston, CA (96052)?

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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 $284,604
Avg Monthly Rent $1,098
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,635
% Renters 22.1%

Market Analysis: 96052 Lewiston

ZIP 96052 in Lewiston, CA carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $285K and rents of $1,098/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Rent of $1,098/mo on a $285K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 96052 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Regionally, 96052 sits on the difficult end of the CA spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 96052 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

The right play in 96052 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Lewiston:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 45/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,098/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 96052

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+0.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$98,874/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $222,056 $1,220 4.0% $111,028
3BR $296,623 $1,660 4.0% +0.4% $98,874

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$328K$293K$258K$223K$188K$153KMay 2007Dec 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96052 Compare?

Metric 96052 Lewiston California
Home Value $284,604 $284,604 $761,003
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,098 $1,098 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
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 96052 (Lewiston, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
-1.4%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $284,604
Monthly Rent $1,098
Price-to-Rent 21.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 1.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR -1.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.4% ▼
10-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲

🏠 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
34.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 96052

Population: 2,817

💰 Median Household Income
$56,635
This area
$56,635
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.1%
This area
22.1%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
12.1%
This area
12.1%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.5 years
This area
40.5 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
34.8%
This area
34.8%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.0%
Other/Mixed 18.6%
Hispanic/Latino 2.6%
Asian 1.5%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
24.1%
This area
24.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.2%
This area
11.2%
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 96052

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
16.6:1 Avg Class Size
$28,515 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Lewiston Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
66 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$28,515 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

How deep is the rental pool in Lewiston, CA?

Working renters make up the core of the Lewiston, CA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

What kind of market is Lewiston, CA for investors?

Lewiston, CA scores 2.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $285K and rents near $1,098/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What are vacancy rates like in Lewiston, CA?

Vacancy risk in Lewiston, CA is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does Lewiston, CA favor landlords or tenants?

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

Where do home prices stand in Lewiston, CA?

Typical homes in Lewiston, CA go for around $285K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% steady price movement.

You know 96052 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96052 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.

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