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Market MapSalinas, CA
Metropolitan Area

Salinas, CA

California01 counties
33
/100
Avoid
#875 of 894 metros
Top 98% nationally for investing

Market Snapshot

$827,903
Median Home Price
239% above national median
$2,769/mo
Median Rent
100% above national median
4.01%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Top 95% nationally
-$2,540
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

20%
5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$827,903
Down Payment (20%)$165,581
Loan Amount$662,322
Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,769
Monthly P&I-$4,340
Est. Expenses (35%)-$969
Net Cash Flow-$2,540/mo
2.6%
Cap Rate (all cash)
-16.0%
Cash-on-Cash Return
4.01%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.6% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on metro-wide median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Individual counties and properties vary significantly.

Run Full AnalysisTry House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
33/100
33
Cash Flow(30%)
30/100

Based on 4.01% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)
41/100

Based on -2.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Based on 0.0% population growth. Growing areas indicate economic stability.

Affordability(20%)
6/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow metro-level home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. This metro score represents area-wide averages; individual counties may vary significantly.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

  • +Low unemployment (0.0%)

Challenges

  • -Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.01%)
  • -Declining home values (-2.0% YoY)
  • -Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$2,540/mo)
  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 2.6% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Counties in Salinas, CA

Best Overall
Monterey
CA - Score: 35
Verdict
MontereyCA
437,60935$826,253$2,8684.17%AvoidView

Click any county to see detailed investment analysis

Compare to Similar Metros

Metro AreaVerdict
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga, TN
53$316,247$1,4845.63%HoldView
Yakima, WA
Yakima, WA
53$345,060$1,3054.54%HoldView
Fresno, CA
Fresno, CA
53$399,477$2,0346.11%HoldView
Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA
53$380,431$1,6715.27%HoldView
Pueblo, CO
Pueblo, CO
53$281,539$1,2975.53%HoldView
Current
Salinas, CA
33$827,903$2,7694.01%Avoid

The Bottom Line

AvoidSalinas, CA may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult. Look for specific counties with better ratios.

The Salinas, CA metro area scores 33/100, ranking #875 of 894 US metros (top 98%). The 4.01% rent-to-price ratio may require targeting specific counties or creative strategies for positive cash flow. Among 1 counties, Monterey shows the strongest investment potential (score: 35). Current metro-wide averages make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or drilling down to specific counties.

Monthly Cash Flow
$-2,540/mo
Cap Rate
2.6%
Cash-on-Cash
-18.4%

Ready to Invest in Salinas, CA?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties, or explore individual counties for more targeted opportunities.

Single Family1-4 unit rentalsHouse HackOwner-occupiedMultifamily5+ unit propertiesBest CountyMonterey
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