Real Estate Investing in Los Molinos, California (96055)

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

Tehama County • Population: 3,404 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 96055 (Los Molinos, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (42/100)

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
  • High vacancy: 15.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 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 Los Molinos, CA (96055)?

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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 $328,621
Avg Monthly Rent $1,233
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,833
% Renters 29.7%

Market Analysis: 96055 Los Molinos

In practical terms, ZIP 96055 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $329K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The 96055 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

The gap between 96055 and stronger Los Molinos ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

Who lives in 96055 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

appears to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Los Molinos:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,233/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Red Bluff, CA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.1%
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 Red Bluff, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 96055

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+4.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$117,762/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $239,378 $1,370 4.1% +2.8% $119,689
3BR $353,287 $1,880 3.8% +4.7% $117,762

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$352K$301K$251K$200K$150K$99KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96055 Compare?

Metric 96055 Los Molinos Red Bluff, CA California
Home Value $328,621 $328,621 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 1.9% 1.9% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,233 $1,233 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
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 96055 (Los Molinos, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Red Bluff, CA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
56%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $328,621
Monthly Rent $1,233
Price-to-Rent 22.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 4.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
15.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 96055

Population: 3,404

💰 Median Household Income
$55,833
This area
$55,833
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.7%
This area
29.7%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.8%
This area
18.8%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.8 years
This area
39.8 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.1%
Other/Mixed 22.3%
Hispanic/Latino 18.7%
Asian 2.6%
👶 Under 18
24.4%
This area
24.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.3%
This area
19.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.3%
This area
17.3%
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 96055

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
19.3:1 Avg Class Size
$15,060 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Los Molinos High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
194 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,951 Per Student
B Good

Los Molinos Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
246 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,951 Per Student
C+ Average

Lassen View Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
367 Students
👨‍🏫
24.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,277 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

What price range are homes in Los Molinos, CA?

Homes in Los Molinos, CA typically sell near $329K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which predictable long-term demand.

Are tenants stable in Los Molinos, CA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Los Molinos, CA. The rental market absorbs $1,233/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is rental property easy to operate in Los Molinos, CA?

CA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Los Molinos inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

How much do tenants pay in Los Molinos, CA?

The typical rental in Los Molinos, CA commands about $1,233/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $329K purchase basis.

Is Los Molinos in CA worth investing in?

Los Molinos, CA rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $329K and rents near $1,233/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 96055 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96055 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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How 96055 ranks in Red Bluff, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation →
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