El Centro is the highest-scoring rental market in California, with a Star Score of 43/100 and a gross yield of 5.7% on a typical home value of $382,009 (September 2026 data). 9 California metros rank among the top US markets tracked.
| # | Market | Home value | Rent/mo | Yield | Star Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Centro | $382,009 | $1,803 | 5.7% | 43 |
| 2 | Bakersfield | $360,210 | $1,822 | 6.1% | 42 |
| 3 | Fresno | $404,052 | $2,052 | 6.1% | 40 |
| 4 | Visalia | $360,865 | $1,734 | 5.8% | 38 |
| 5 | Merced | $413,645 | $2,059 | 6.0% | 36 |
| 6 | Yuba City | $425,172 | $2,033 | 5.7% | 33 |
| 7 | Stockton | $519,775 | $2,431 | 5.6% | 30 |
| 8 | Modesto | $461,114 | $2,068 | 5.4% | 30 |
| 9 | Redding | $367,694 | $1,652 | 5.4% | 29 |