Home prices are rising in California. Here’s where you can find houses as low as $237,000
Looking for affordable housing in California? Home prices have climbed across the Golden State, according to the latest data from the California Association of Realtors.
In December, the statewide median home sales price was $861,020, the Realtors group said in a Jan. 17 news release. That’s an increase of 1% from November when the median price for a single-family home in California was $852,820.
The statewide median home price has climbed 5% since December 2023.
According to the Realtors group, a “solid increase in high-end home sales” in December contributed to the rise in California’s median home sales price.
Four of the five regions in California experienced double-digit increases in sales of single-family homes in December compared to a year ago, the report said.
The Central Coast saw home sales surge by 20.5% compared to December 2023, while Southern California saw a 16.3% increase in sales. The Central Valley experienced a 15.1% sales hike, and the San Francisco Bay Area had a 14.6% increase.
Meanwhile, mortgage rates remain high despite a slight decrease, the Realtors group said.
According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in California was 6.58% as of Jan. 30, down from 6.61% in November.
“With mortgage rates remaining at their highest level since early July and devastating wildfires taking a toll on the Southern California housing market, we’ll likely have a slow start for the year, but demand should pick up once we enter the spring homebuying season,” California Association of Realtors president Heather Ozur said in a Jan. 17 news release.
If you’re looking to buy a house in California, here’s where you can find affordable choices:
Where are the cheapest areas to buy a house in California?
The most affordable home prices in California can primarily be found in Northern California and the Central Valley, according to the California Association of Realtors.
These 10 California counties had home prices below the state median of $861,020 in December:
1. Lassen County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $237,000
- Region: Northern California
2. Tehama County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $326,000
- Region: Northern California
3. Trinity County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $337,500
- Region: Northern California
4. Shasta County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $355,000
- Region: Northern California
5. Plumas County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $359,000
- Region: Northern California
6. Siskiyou County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $365,000
- Region: Northern California
7. Lake County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $373,000
- Region: Northern California
8. Del Norte County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $384,950
- Region: Northern California
9. Humboldt County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $426,680
- Region: Northern California
10. Amador County
- Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $445,000
- Region: Northern California
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 December, the median sale price for a single-family home in the Bay Area was $1,200,000.
The Central Coast had the second-highest home prices, with a median home sale price of $995,000.
These five counties had the highest median sold prices for existing single-family homes in December:
- San Mateo County — $1,844,500 million
- Santa Clara County — $1,810,000
- Marin County — $1,558,000
- San Francisco County — $1,530,000
- Alameda County — $1,180,000
How much do homes cost in my California county?
Find the full list of home prices by California county on the association’s website.
This story was originally published February 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Home prices are rising in California. Here’s where you can find houses as low as $237,000."