Real Estate Investing in Susanville, California (96130)

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

Lassen County • Population: 20,892 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 96130 (Susanville, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

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: 23.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Susanville, CA (96130)?

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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 $241,322
Avg Monthly Rent $1,074
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,725
% Renters 35.0%

Market Analysis: 96130 Susanville

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Susanville's 96130 ZIP reflects signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $241K pricing implies.

The investment case in 96130 is impressive only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $241K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within CA, ZIP 96130 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Lassen County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 96130 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Susanville averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

The right play in 96130 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 Susanville:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,074/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Susanville, CA Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
4.9%
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 Susanville, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 96130

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
6.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+3.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$72,269/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $113,009 $990 6.3% 0.0% $113,009
2BR $160,154 $1,250 5.6% +2.5% $80,077
3BR $253,744 $1,740 4.9% +3.7% $84,581
4BR $326,535 $2,100 4.6% +3.3% $81,634
5BR $361,344 +2.3% $72,269

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$252K$222K$192K$163K$133K$104KJan 2007Oct 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,429$1,348$1,266$1,185$1,103$1,022Sep 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 96130 Compare?

Metric 96130 Susanville Susanville, CA California
Home Value $241,322 $271,166 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 1.7% 1.6% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,074 $1,113 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 96130? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 35% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 96130 (Susanville, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.7%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Susanville, CA metro

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

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $241,322
Monthly Rent $1,074
Price-to-Rent 18.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 5.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
23.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 96130

Population: 20,892

💰 Median Household Income
$66,725
This area
$66,725
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
35.0%
This area
35.0%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.9%
This area
10.9%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.0 years
This area
35.0 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
23.3%
This area
23.3%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 67.5%
Other/Mixed 20.3%
Hispanic/Latino 13.5%
Black/African American 10.4%
Asian 1.8%
👶 Under 18
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.9%
This area
12.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.1%
This area
10.1%
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 96130

C+ Avg School Grade
12 Schools
17.7:1 Avg Class Size
$13,056 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Lassen High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
805 Students
👨‍🏫
19.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,827 Per Student
B Good

Lassen Community Day

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
13 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,827 Per Student
B Good

McKinley Elementary

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
372 Students
👨‍🏫
19.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,728 Per Student
C+ Average

Credence High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
27 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,827 Per Student
C+ Average

Thompson Peak Charter

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
150 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,942 Per Student
C+ Average

Lassen County Special Education

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
7 Students
👨‍🏫
3.5:1 Class Size
C+ Average

Richmond Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
185 Students
👨‍🏫
20.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,715 Per Student
C+ Average

Diamond View Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
296 Students
👨‍🏫
24.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,728 Per Student
C Below Average

Meadow View

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
321 Students
👨‍🏫
26.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,728 Per Student
C Below Average

Lassen ROP

📚 11 – 12 High School Limited Data
C Below Average

Susanville State Preschool

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

Johnstonville Elementary

📚 K – 08 School
👥
198 Students
👨‍🏫
23.0:1 Class Size
💰
$10,180 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

1 Nearby 713 Off-Campus Students
C
Lassen Community College
1,783 students · 8.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 713 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Susanville, CA?

Median home price in Susanville, CA is near $241K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Susanville, CA?

House hacking in Susanville, CA is a challenging. With home values around $241K and rents at $1,074/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

How strong is tenant demand in Susanville, CA?

Susanville, CA draws a predictable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,074/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is Susanville, CA landlord-friendly?

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

Do rentals sit vacant long in Susanville, CA?

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

You know 96130 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 96130 ranks in Susanville, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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