Real Estate Investing in Ashland, Oregon (97520)

Jackson County • Population: 26,983 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 97520 (Ashland, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Ashland, OR (97520)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $556,727
Avg Monthly Rent $1,881
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $66,048
% Renters 41.7%

Market Analysis: 97520 Ashland

ZIP 97520 inside Jackson County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $557K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 97520 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Looking more closely, 97520 offers a low basis, the region around Ashland has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 97520 ZIP's population of 26,983 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 97520, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Ashland:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 50/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,881/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Medford, OR Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.1%
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 June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Medford, OR metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 97520

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+3.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$166,953/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $337,483 $1,290 2.8% +1.9% $337,483
2BR $416,630 $1,600 2.8% +2.7% $208,315
3BR $559,865 $2,230 2.9% +3.4% $186,622
4BR $702,176 $2,630 2.7% +3.9% $175,544
5BR $834,765 +3.7% $166,953

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$590K$527K$463K$400K$336K$273KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,060$1,994$1,927$1,861$1,795$1,729Mar 2022Apr 2024May 2026

📊 How Does 97520 Compare?

Metric 97520 Ashland Medford, OR Oregon
Home Value $556,727 $556,727 N/A $493,884
5-Year CAGR 1.8% 1.8% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,881 $1,881 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 97520? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 42% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 97520 (Ashland, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Jackson County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Quality Property Management Company offers residential, commercial, and association management services, including affordable housing for older adults, in Medford, Oregon. summary from their website

Single-familyCommercialHOASection 8
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.8%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Medford, OR metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
59%
Days Pending
1/2
45 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $556,727
Monthly Rent $1,881
Price-to-Rent 24.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 4.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -6.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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
11.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.8%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97520

Population: 26,983

💰 Median Household Income
$66,048
This area
$66,048
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
41.7%
This area
41.7%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
59.3%
This area
59.3%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.8 years
This area
48.8 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.6%
This area
11.6%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.7%
Other/Mixed 10.8%
Hispanic/Latino 6.2%
Asian 1.5%
Black/African American 1.0%
👶 Under 18
14.3%
This area
14.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.7%
This area
27.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.8%
This area
10.8%
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 97520

A Avg School Grade
7 Schools
13.7:1 Avg Class Size
$40,920 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Bellview Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
244 Students
👨‍🏫
12.8:1 Class Size
💰
$42,986 Per Student
A Very Good

Ashland Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
539 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$42,986 Per Student
A Very Good

TRAILS Outdoor School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
154 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$42,986 Per Student
A Very Good

Ashland High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
884 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$42,986 Per Student
A Very Good

Helman Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
297 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$42,986 Per Student
A Very Good

Pinehurst Elementary School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
8 Students
👨‍🏫
4.0:1 Class Size
💰
$28,526 Per Student
A Very Good

Walker Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
248 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$42,986 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 585 Off-Campus Students
C+
Southern Oregon University
5,371 students · 8.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 585 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors worry about vacancy in Ashland, OR?

Vacancy in Ashland, OR is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,881/mo.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Ashland, OR?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Ashland, OR. The rental market absorbs $1,881/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Does Ashland, OR favor landlords or tenants?

Rental owners in Ashland, OR deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What do rentals go for in Ashland, OR?

Average rent in Ashland, OR is approximately $1,881/mo per month. Against $557K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Is Ashland, OR a good market for FHA house hackers?

Ashland, OR is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $557K price point reasonable to enter.

See what 97520 really looks like for investors

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