Real Estate Investing in Nehalem, Oregon (97131)

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

Tillamook County • Population: 2,442 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 97131 (Nehalem, OR)? 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 35.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 32.7 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

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

What’s happening in Nehalem, OR (97131)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $574,907
Avg Monthly Rent $1,467
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,038
% Renters 12.3%

Market Analysis: 97131 Nehalem

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Nehalem's 97131 ZIP stands at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $575K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $575K asset, 97131 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader OR picture, 97131 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 97131 ZIP's population of 2,442 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

tilts toward 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 Nehalem:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 42/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,467/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
Astoria, OR Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.9%
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 Astoria, OR metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 97131

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$195,633/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $599,792 $1,320 1.6% $599,792
2BR $497,811 $1,630 2.4% +6.5% $248,905
3BR $591,135 $2,270 2.8% +8.1% $197,045
4BR $782,531 $2,420 2.2% +7.8% $195,633

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$627K$544K$460K$377K$293K$210KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 97131 Compare?

Metric 97131 Nehalem Astoria, OR Oregon
Home Value $574,907 $574,907 N/A $493,884
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.9% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,467 $1,467 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.0% 2.0% - -
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 97131 (Nehalem, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Astoria, OR 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 $574,907
Monthly Rent $1,467
Price-to-Rent 32.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.1%
Cap Rate 2.0%
5-Year IRR 4.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.0%). 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
35.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97131

Population: 2,442

💰 Median Household Income
$66,038
This area
$66,038
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.3%
This area
12.3%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.6 years
This area
57.6 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
35.9%
This area
35.9%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.7%
Other/Mixed 9.2%
Hispanic/Latino 6.5%
Asian 4.1%
👶 Under 18
13.9%
This area
13.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
32.3%
This area
32.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
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 97131

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
15.1:1 Avg Class Size
$24,384 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Nehalem Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
174 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$24,384 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
C+
Christian Culinary Academy
21 students · 14.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Nehalem, OR?

Expect median prices around $575K in Nehalem, OR. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Nehalem, OR?

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

How qualified is the tenant pool in Nehalem, OR?

Nehalem, OR draws a reliable base of working renters. Demand at the $1,467/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Does Nehalem, OR favor landlords or tenants?

For rental operators, Nehalem, OR rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What is the typical rental rate in Nehalem, OR?

Expect rents around $1,467/mo per month in Nehalem, OR. With home values at $575K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 97131 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 97131 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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