Real Estate Investing in Pendleton, Oregon (97801)

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

Umatilla County • Population: 21,930 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 97801 (Pendleton, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 13.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Pendleton, OR (97801)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $302,311
Avg Monthly Rent $1,362
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,413
% Renters 41.0%

Market Analysis: 97801 Pendleton

From a cash-flow lens, ZIP 97801 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $302K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $302K asset, 97801 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 97801 among OR's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 97801 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 97801 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 Pendleton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,362/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
Hermiston-Pendleton, OR 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 Hermiston-Pendleton, OR metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 97801

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$82,834/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $174,032 $910 3.8% +6.8% $174,032
2BR $220,219 $1,200 3.9% +7.2% $110,109
3BR $299,357 $1,670 4.0% +6.7% $99,786
4BR $366,582 $2,010 3.9% +6.1% $91,646
5BR $414,172 +6.4% $82,834

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$316K$277K$238K$199K$159K$120KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,472$1,423$1,374$1,325$1,276$1,227Jul 2024Jul 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 97801 Compare?

Metric 97801 Pendleton Hermiston-Pendleton, OR Oregon
Home Value $302,311 $302,311 N/A $493,884
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,362 $1,362 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 3.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 97801? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 41% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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 97801 (Pendleton, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $302,311
Monthly Rent $1,362
Price-to-Rent 18.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.4%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -6.9% ▼
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
13.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97801

Population: 21,930

💰 Median Household Income
$71,413
This area
$71,413
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
41.0%
This area
41.0%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.5%
This area
23.5%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.0 years
This area
38.0 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.6%
This area
13.6%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.0%
Other/Mixed 19.1%
Hispanic/Latino 6.6%
Black/African American 1.1%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
22.9%
This area
22.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.6%
This area
17.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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 97801

B Avg School Grade
9 Schools
22.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,948 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Sherwood Heights Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
441 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Washington Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
425 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B+ Above Average

McKay Creek Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
253 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Nixyaawii Community School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
78 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pendleton Early Learning Center

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
228 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B Good

Pendleton High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
773 Students
👨‍🏫
19.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
B Good

Sunridge Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
648 Students
👨‍🏫
19.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 Per Student
D Needs Improvement
👥
207 Students
👨‍🏫
62.4:1 Class Size
D Needs Improvement

Hawthorne Alternative High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
44 Students
👨‍🏫
26.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,948 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 817 Off-Campus Students
D
Blue Mountain Community College
1,371 students · 0.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 817 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the investability score for Pendleton, OR?

Yes - Pendleton, OR a 3.0/5 investability score. With $302K home prices against $1,362/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Where do rents currently stand in Pendleton, OR?

The typical rental in Pendleton, OR commands about $1,362/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $302K purchase basis.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Pendleton, OR?

Vacancy risk in Pendleton, OR is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

Are tenants stable in Pendleton, OR?

Pendleton, OR draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $1,362/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Is housing expensive in Pendleton, OR?

Pendleton, OR median home values land near $302K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,362/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 97801 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 97801 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 97801 ranks in Hermiston-Pendleton, OR

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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