Real Estate Investing in Palo Cedro, California (96073)

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

Shasta County • Population: 5,633 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 96073 (Palo Cedro, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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 (0.6% CAGR).
  • 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 Palo Cedro, CA (96073)?

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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 $574,354
Avg Monthly Rent $2,151
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $114,301
% Renters 7.8%

Market Analysis: 96073 Palo Cedro

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Palo Cedro's 96073 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $574K pricing implies.

The 96073 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 96073's metrics run below Shasta County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 96073 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Palo Cedro averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 96073 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Palo Cedro:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,151/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
Redding, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
50 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 Redding, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 96073

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+4.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$161,806/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $523,957 $3,320 4.6% +4.2% $174,652
4BR $667,397 $4,010 4.3% +4.6% $166,849
5BR $809,031 +4.1% $161,806

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$623K$575K$527K$479K$431K$383KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96073 Compare?

Metric 96073 Palo Cedro Redding, CA California
Home Value $574,354 $574,354 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 0.6% 0.6% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $2,151 $2,151 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 96073 (Palo Cedro, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.6%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Redding, CA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
45%
Days Pending
1/2
50 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $574,354
Monthly Rent $2,151
Price-to-Rent 22.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 3.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲

🏠 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
2.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.6%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 96073

Population: 5,633

💰 Median Household Income
$114,301
This area
$114,301
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.8%
This area
7.8%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
38.5%
This area
38.5%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.5 years
This area
42.5 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.7%
Other/Mixed 13.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.4%
Black/African American 0.6%
Asian 0.6%
👶 Under 18
28.5%
This area
28.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.6%
This area
22.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.6%
This area
0.6%
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 96073

C+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
20.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,360 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Junction Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
372 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,049 Per Student
C+ Average

Foothill High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,432 Students
👨‍🏫
22.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,169 Per Student
C+ Average

North Cow Creek Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
256 Students
👨‍🏫
21.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,647 Per Student
C Below Average

Chrysalis Charter

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
233 Students
👨‍🏫
22.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,576 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

4 Nearby 2,642 Off-Campus Students
D
Shasta Bible College and Graduate School
20 students · 6.0 mi
C+
Shasta College
8,081 students · 6.4 mi
D
Simpson University
907 students · 6.9 mi
C
Shasta School of Cosmetology
101 students · 9.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,642 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do experienced investors play Palo Cedro, CA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Palo Cedro, CA best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $574K price point.

Are renters plentiful in Palo Cedro, CA?

Tenant quality in Palo Cedro, CA ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $2,151/mo.

What is the median home value in Palo Cedro, CA?

In Palo Cedro, CA the median home value sits at $574K. Against the broader CA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How does Palo Cedro, CA stack up for property investment?

Investors tracking Palo Cedro, CA will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $574K median home values and $2,151/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

Are landlord laws favorable in Palo Cedro, CA?

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

You know 96073 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 96073 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 96073 ranks in Redding, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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