If you’re planning on moving West to California, better bring a fat wallet with you. Housing prices in the Golden State wildly exceed those in the rest of the nation. The real estate firm Zillow prices the typical middle-tier U.S. home at $298,933 as of July. In California, that number zooms to more than $700,000. No wonder the state is full of cities where the middle class can no longer afford housing.
The California Association of Realtors calculated an even higher number. In May, the group estimated a median home price of $818,260, an increase from $814,010 in April and 39.1% higher than the $588,070 recorded in May of last year. That annual price hike was the highest recorded year-over-year rise.
Who can blame people for wanting to live in California? It has a beautiful coastline, lush scenery, a robust economy, and a year-round sunny climate. Some are more than willing to pay for the pleasure of living in a truly golden state.
To identify the most expensive housing markets in California, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, ranking only census-designated places, cities, and towns with at least 5,000 residents. (All data came from the ACS except percent of population change, which we calculated using ACS data.)
If average housing prices are high in most locations across the state, some cities and towns have downright astronomical residential values, even by California standards. (These are the cities where housing prices are rising the fastest.)
Considering the concentration of the highly profitable tech industry in Northern California, it shouldn’t be surprising the highest-priced homes in the state are to be found in the San Francisco Bay Area. The most expensive of all is Alto, a small community tucked away in ritzy Marin County outside of San Francisco. There, the median home price is $2 million, with 100% of all houses tagged at $500,000 or more. The same holds true for another Marin County enclave, Belvedere, which placed second on the list.
Click here to see the most expensive housing markets in California.
If you prefer Southern California, No. 3 Del Mar, a beach town north of San Diego, can be your home — if you have at least $500,000 to $2 million to spare. Even a house in San Carlos, south of San Francisco in San Mateo County, could cost you up to $1.63 million — and that’s the cheapest town on the list.
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
50. San Carlos
> Median home value: $1.63 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.9% — 58th in California
> Median household income: $182,083 — 37th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.4% — 642nd in California
> Population: 30,154 — 265th in California
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49. Strawberry (Marin County)
> Median home value: $1.63 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 95.6% — 92nd in California
> Median household income: $107,063 — 219th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -6.3% — 1,130th in California
> Population: 5,527 — 627th in California
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Source: sansara / iStock via Getty Images
48. Alamo
> Median home value: $1.67 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.1% — 75th in California
> Median household income: $239,545 — 14th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -8.6% — 1,157th in California
> Population: 14,905 — 406th in California
47. Los Gatos
> Median home value: $1.69 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.4% — 68th in California
> Median household income: $155,863 — 69th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.1% — 760th in California
> Population: 30,729 — 261st in California
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46. Stinson Beach
> Median home value: $1.70 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 21st in California
> Median household income: $122,721 — 134th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +29.9% — 141st in California
> Population: 600 — 1,145th in California
Source: Joe Ravi / Wikimedia Commons
45. Cupertino
> Median home value: $1.71 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 95.2% — 100th in California
> Median household income: $171,917 — 48th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +0.1% — 841st in California
> Population: 60,257 — 156th in California
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44. Sleepy Hollow
> Median home value: $1.73 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 97.1% — 54th in California
> Median household income: $212,868 — 28th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -8.7% — 1,158th in California
> Population: 2,273 — 846th in California
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Source: County of San Mateo Parks Department
43. Highlands-Baywood Park
> Median home value: $1.76 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 98.2% — 39th in California
> Median household income: $195,833 — 32nd in California
> 5-year pop. change: +13.0% — 264th in California
> Population: 4,767 — 657th in California
42. Laguna Beach
> Median home value: $1.77 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 94.5% — 112th in California
> Median household income: $129,983 — 110th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.8% — 940th in California
> Population: 23,036 — 319th in California
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Source: Christina Gessler / iStock via Getty Images
41. Toro Canyon
> Median home value: $1.79 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 98.2% — 40th in California
> Median household income: $141,136 — 87th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +9.4% — 333rd in California
> Population: 1,728 — 906th in California
40. Point Reyes Station
> Median home value: $1.81 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 20th in California
> Median household income: n/a
> 5-year pop. change: -52.0% — 1,442nd in California
> Population: 288 — 1,265th in California
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39. Lake Sherwood
> Median home value: $1.83 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 98.4% — 37th in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: -5.2% — 1,103rd in California
> Population: 1,677 — 914th in California
38. Newport Beach
> Median home value: $1.90 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 94.4% — 115th in California
> Median household income: $127,223 — 121st in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.4% — 1,001st in California
> Population: 85,694 — 98th in California
Source: pikappa / iStock via Getty Images
37. Burlingame
> Median home value: $1.90 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.4% — 67th in California
> Median household income: $128,447 — 116th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.1% — 661st in California
> Population: 30,576 — 263rd in California
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Source: Silencetheshadows, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
36. Emerald Lake Hills
> Median home value: $1.99 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 97.0% — 55th in California
> Median household income: $229,167 — 19th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +5.0% — 471st in California
> Population: 4,721 — 661st in California
Source: Originally uploaded by Nelso (Transferred by DimiTalen), CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
35. Kentfield
> Median home value: $2 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.7% — 60th in California
> Median household income: $214,081 — 27th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +3.0% — 581st in California
> Population: 7,020 — 569th in California
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Source: Focqus, LLC / Getty Images
34. Palos Verdes Estates
> Median home value: $2 million
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 97.6% — 48th in California
> Median household income: $194,543 — 33rd in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.3% — 995th in California
> Population: 13,434 — 430th in California
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Source: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
33. Fairbanks Ranch
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 88.4% — 186th in California
> Median household income: $185,551 — 35th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -29.1% — 1,355th in California
> Population: 2,085 — 870th in California
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/danboarder/
32. Rolling Hills
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 98.4% — 36th in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: -16.9% — 1,255th in California
> Population: 1,513 — 932nd in California
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31. Portola Valley
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.3% — 70th in California
> Median household income: $224,554 — 21st in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.7% — 698th in California
> Population: 4,592 — 665th in California
Source: Rachel Roman / iStock via Getty Images
30. Hidden Hills
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 97.4% — 50th in California
> Median household income: $246,042 — 12th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +12.5% — 269th in California
> Population: 1,751 — 901st in California
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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/agatheb/
29. Loyola
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 99.5% — 28th in California
> Median household income: $246,563 — 11th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -4.9% — 1,096th in California
> Population: 3,367 — 744th in California
Source: LPS.1 / Wikipedia
28. Monte Sereno
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 99.1% — 30th in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.8% — 939th in California
> Population: 3,479 — 730th in California
Source: Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
27. West Menlo Park
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.1% — 72nd in California
> Median household income: $214,167 — 26th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +9.5% — 329th in California
> Population: 4,160 — 682nd in California
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26. Manhattan Beach
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 95.7% — 84th in California
> Median household income: $153,023 — 72nd in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.3% — 887th in California
> Population: 35,500 — 238th in California
25. Atherton
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 97.9% — 45th in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.2% — 750th in California
> Population: 7,168 — 563rd in California
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24. Tiburon
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.7% — 61st in California
> Median household income: $154,915 — 70th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.2% — 872nd in California
> Population: 9,144 — 507th in California
Source: dszc / Getty Images
23. Beverly Hills
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 94.4% — 114th in California
> Median household income: $106,936 — 221st in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.4% — 1,000th in California
> Population: 34,186 — 243rd in California
Source: LPETTET / iStock via Getty Images
22. Malibu
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 92.8% — 132nd in California
> Median household income: $150,747 — 74th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.8% — 1,028th in California
> Population: 12,620 — 441st in California
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21. Piedmont
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.9% — 57th in California
> Median household income: $224,659 — 20th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.0% — 672nd in California
> Population: 11,317 — 467th in California
Source: JasonDoiy / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
20. Stanford
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 87.4% — 194th in California
> Median household income: $58,906 — 804th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +14.9% — 244th in California
> Population: 16,326 — 386th in California
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Source: SpVVK / Getty Images
19. Palo Alto
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 95.7% — 90th in California
> Median household income: $158,271 — 63rd in California
> 5-year pop. change: +0.1% — 842nd in California
> Population: 66,573 — 132nd in California
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
18. Saratoga
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 95.5% — 95th in California
> Median household income: $191,677 — 34th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.4% — 894th in California
> Population: 30,697 — 262nd in California
Source: Andrei Stanescu / Getty Images
17. Los Altos Hills
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 98.5% — 35th in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.3% — 653rd in California
> Population: 8,505 — 516th in California
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Source: cgshoots / iStock via Getty Images
16. Menlo Park
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 96.6% — 64th in California
> Median household income: $160,784 — 56th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +3.2% — 562nd in California
> Population: 34,138 — 244th in California
15. Woodside
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 97.1% — 53rd in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.1% — 756th in California
> Population: 5,542 — 625th in California
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Source: RussieseO / iStock via Getty Images
14. San Marino
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 97.4% — 51st in California
> Median household income: $166,607 — 50th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.2% — 982nd in California
> Population: 13,194 — 433rd in California
13. Hillsborough
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 98.0% — 43rd in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.7% — 696th in California
> Population: 11,447 — 465th in California
Source: davidwoodberry / Getty Images
12. Montecito
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 99.0% — 32nd in California
> Median household income: $159,706 — 59th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -12.9% — 1,208th in California
> Population: 8,245 — 526th in California
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Source: Coolcaesar / Wikimedia Commons
11. Los Altos
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 98.0% — 42nd in California
> Median household income: $235,278 — 15th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.4% — 725th in California
> Population: 30,504 — 264th in California
10. Ross
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 14th in California
> Median household income: $224,500 — 22nd in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.7% — 922nd in California
> Population: 2,290 — 844th in California
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9. Rancho Santa Fe
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 93.9% — 120th in California
> Median household income: $137,083 — 98th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -14.5% — 1,228th in California
> Population: 2,510 — 826th in California
Source: Swedg / Flickr
8. Norris Canyon
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 16th in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: -17.9% — 1,273rd in California
> Population: 897 — 1,057th in California
7. Nicasio
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 19th in California
> Median household income: $233,750 — 16th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -23.7% — 1,314th in California
> Population: 71 — 1,428th in California
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Source: Public Domain
6. Middletown
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 61.3% — 403rd in California
> Median household income: n/a
> 5-year pop. change: -22.5% — 1,311th in California
> Population: 739 — 1,100th in California
5. Ladera
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 15th in California
> Median household income: $250,000+ — 1st (tied) in California
> 5-year pop. change: +10.0% — 310th in California
> Population: 1,607 — 920th in California
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Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
4. Diablo
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 17th in California
> Median household income: $143,616 — 84th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -45.2% — 1,423rd in California
> Population: 448 — 1,191st in California
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
3. Del Mar
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 88.6% — 183rd in California
> Median household income: $129,063 — 113th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.5% — 721st in California
> Population: 4,331 — 678th in California
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brostad/
2. Belvedere
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 99.3% — 29th in California
> Median household income: $245,208 — 13th in California
> 5-year pop. change: +7.1% — 383rd in California
> Population: 2,134 — 865th in California
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Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images
1. Alto
> Median home value: $2 million+
> Homes worth at least $500,000: 100% — 18th in California
> Median household income: $185,395 — 36th in California
> 5-year pop. change: -16.9% — 1,256th in California
> Population: 611 — 1,138th in California
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