Is Orange County, CA good for real estate investing?

Orange County has an investment score of 33/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #993 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Orange?

The rent-to-price ratio in Orange County is 3.32% annually, which ranks in the 1th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Orange?

The median home price in Orange County is $1,139,098. This ranks #995 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Orange?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Orange County would generate negative cash flow of $3,921/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Orange County

CaliforniaPopulation: 3,175,227

/100

Avoid

#993 of 1,000 counties

#50 in California (58 counties)

Market Snapshot

$1,139,098

Median Home Price

316% above national median

$3,154/mo

Median Rent

111% above national median

3.32%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 99% nationally

-$3,921

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

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$1,139,098

Down Payment (20%)$227,820

Loan Amount$911,278

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$3,154

Monthly P&I-$5,971

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,104

Net Cash Flow-$3,921/mo

2.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-18.0%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.32%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

33/100

Cash Flow(30%)

20/100

Based on 3.32% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

49/100

Based on -0.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

9/100

Price-to-income ratio of 10.4x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (3.32%)
-Declining home values (-0.1% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$3,921/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.2% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

3,175,227

Median Income

$109,361

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

10.4x

Less affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
Santa CruzCA	34	$1,098,636	$3,409	3.72%	Avoid	View
CurrentOrangeCA	33	$1,139,098	$3,154	3.32%	Avoid
San DiegoCA	33	$910,765	$2,933	3.86%	Avoid	View
NapaCA	33	$868,337	$2,887	3.99%	Avoid	View
Los AngelesCA	33	$859,958	$2,809	3.92%	Avoid	View
San MateoCA	31	$1,511,224	$3,463	2.75%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

AvoidOrange may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Orange County in California scores 33/100, ranking #993 of 1,000 US counties (top 99%). The 3.32% rent-to-price ratio may require creative strategies or below-market purchases for positive cash flow. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-3,921/mo

Cap Rate

2.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-18.0%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Orange?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$1,139,098

Down Payment (20%)$227,820

Loan Amount$911,278

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$3,154

Monthly P&I-$5,971

Est. Expenses (35%)-$1,104

Net Cash Flow-$3,921/mo

2.2%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-18.0%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.32%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.2% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

33/100

Cash Flow(30%)

20/100

Based on 3.32% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

49/100

Based on -0.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

9/100

Price-to-income ratio of 10.4x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

Santa CruzCA

$1,098,636

$3,409

3.72%

Avoid

View

CurrentOrangeCA

$1,139,098

$3,154

3.32%

Avoid

San DiegoCA

$910,765

$2,933

3.86%

Avoid

View

NapaCA

$868,337

$2,887

3.99%

Avoid

View

Los AngelesCA

$859,958

$2,809

3.92%

Avoid

View

San MateoCA

$1,511,224

$3,463

2.75%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

AvoidOrange may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-3,921/mo

Cap Rate

2.2%

Cash-on-Cash

-18.0%