Cheapest areas to buy a house in California? See where to find prices as low as $205,000
Looking for the most affordable homes in California?
According to the latest data from the California Association of Realtors, home prices are on the rise.
From September to October, the median home sales price in the state increased by 2.4%, rising from $868,150 to $888,740.
Overall, the statewide median price has climbed 5.8% since October 2023.
Along with rising housing costs, the Realtors group said, mortgage rates are increasing.
According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in California was 6.63%, as of Wednesday, Nov. 20.
“Rising rates in the past few weeks have created a less favorable lending environment for the housing market,” Realtors group president Heather Ozur said in a Tuesday, Nov. 19, news release. “While market conditions are improving at a slower-than-expected pace, October’s bounce back in home sales suggests that there’s still solid interest from motivated buyers.”
If you’re looking to buy a house in California, here’s where you can find affordable options:
Where are the cheapest areas to buy a house in California?
The most affordable home prices can primarily be found in Northern California and the Central Valley, according to the most recent data collected from the California Association of Realtors.
These 11 California counties had home prices below the state median of $888,740:
1. Trinity County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $205,000
- Region: Northern California
2. Lassen County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $282,500
- Region: Northern California
3. Siskiyou County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $301,250
- Region: Northern California
4. Lake County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $340,000
- Region: Northern California
Kings County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $340,000
- Region: Central Valley
5. Tehama County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $345,000
- Region: Northern California
6. Glenn County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $353,500
- Region: Central Valley
7. Plumas County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $377,500
- Region: Northern California
8. Shasta County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $379,000
- Region: Northern California
9. Imperial County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $389,990
- Region: Southern California
10. Tulare County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $391,750
- Region: Central Valley
Where are the most expensive home prices in California?
According to the Realtors group, the most expensive home prices in California can be found in the Bay Area.
In October, the median sold price of existing single-family homes in the Bay Area was $1,315,000.
The Central Coast had the second-highest home prices, with the median sold price of existing single-family homes at $990,000.
These five counties had the highest median sold prices for existing single-family homes in October:
- San Mateo County — $2 million
- Santa Clara County — $1,990,000
- San Francisco County — $1,750,000
- Marin County — $1,700,000
- Orange County — $1,350,000
How much do homes cost in my California county?
Find the full list of home prices by California county on the association’s website.
