Is Sonoma County, CA good for real estate investing?

Sonoma County has an investment score of 35/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #742 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

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

The rent-to-price ratio in Sonoma County is 4.05% annually, which ranks in the 7th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Sonoma?

The median home price in Sonoma County is $770,224. This ranks #980 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Sonoma?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Sonoma County would generate negative cash flow of $2,347/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Sonoma County

CaliforniaPopulation: 488,436Santa Rosa, CA Metro

/100

Avoid

#742 of 1,000 counties

#40 in California (58 counties)

Market Snapshot

$770,224

Median Home Price

230% above national median

$2,601/mo

Median Rent

72% above national median

4.05%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 93% nationally

-$2,347

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$770,224

Down Payment (20%)$154,045

Loan Amount$616,179

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,601

Monthly P&I-$4,038

Est. Expenses (35%)-$910

Net Cash Flow-$2,347/mo

2.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.9%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.05%

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 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

35/100

Cash Flow(30%)

31/100

Based on 4.05% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

37/100

Based on -2.7% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

22/100

Price-to-income ratio of 7.8x. 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 (4.05%)
-Declining home values (-2.7% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$2,347/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.6% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

488,436

Median Income

$99,266

vs $57,018 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

7.8x

Less affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
TrinityCA	36	$245,830	Est. pending	—	Avoid	View
VenturaCA	36	$859,803	$2,941	4.11%	Avoid	View
Santa BarbaraCA	36	$959,051	$3,276	4.10%	Avoid	View
CurrentSonomaCA	35	$770,224	$2,601	4.05%	Avoid
MontereyCA	35	$827,906	$2,769	4.01%	Avoid	View
HumboldtCA	35	$420,989	$1,725	4.92%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

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

Sonoma County in California scores 35/100, ranking #742 of 1,000 US counties (top 98%). The 4.05% 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

$-2,347/mo

Cap Rate

2.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.9%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Sonoma?

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$770,224

Down Payment (20%)$154,045

Loan Amount$616,179

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,601

Monthly P&I-$4,038

Est. Expenses (35%)-$910

Net Cash Flow-$2,347/mo

2.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-15.9%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.05%

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 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

35/100

Cash Flow(30%)

31/100

Based on 4.05% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

37/100

Based on -2.7% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

22/100

Price-to-income ratio of 7.8x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

TrinityCA

$245,830

Est. pending

—

Avoid

View

VenturaCA

$859,803

$2,941

4.11%

Avoid

View

Santa BarbaraCA

$959,051

$3,276

4.10%

Avoid

View

CurrentSonomaCA

$770,224

$2,601

4.05%

Avoid

MontereyCA

$827,906

$2,769

4.01%

Avoid

View

HumboldtCA

$420,989

$1,725

4.92%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

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

Monthly Cash Flow

$-2,347/mo

Cap Rate

2.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-15.9%