We’ve all heard the horror stories about real estate in the tech capital of San Francisco. These stories tell of skyrocketing housing costs that have priced out of the market to teachers, firefighters, and service industry workers, never mind people with janitorial and home care salaries. Even tech workers with six-figure salaries can’t afford to buy homes there, according to Vox.
In the past three months, the Golden State’s overheated housing market has shown signs of cooling as the market normalizes from the pandemic-induced buying frenzy and buyers are jumping ship in response to the state’s previously unrealistic housing prices. Where would they be going? Perhaps to the hottest city for home buyers.
In July of 2021, the California Association of Realtors reported that following four consecutive months of record highs, California’s median home price had fallen 1% month over month to $811,170. That was down from $819,630 in June but up 21.7% from $666,320 in July of last year. It’s not surprising that many California cities are among the most expensive metros to buy homes nationally.
Still,California is a large, geographically diverse state with the nation’s biggest economy. So despite being generally expensive, there are still affordable homes to be had.
To identify the 50 most affordable 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 the 650 census-designated places, cities, and towns in California with at least 5,000 residents. (All other data came from the ACS. We calculated population changes.)
Clearly, it’s not that easy to find a good deal in California when the median home price is in the $800,000 range. But buyers willing to put in the effort and consider a variety of markets can still find something that fits their budget.
The markets on this list have median home prices that range from just over $110,000 to over $180,000, at least four and half times lower than the state median. And no doubt at least to some degree, the lower home prices are attracting new residents to some of the markets on this list as evidenced by the five-year population change.
Click here to see the most affordable housing markets in California
Source: Thomas De Wever / iStock via Getty Images
50. Ridgecrest, California
> Median home value: $180,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 17.4% — 54th highest in California
> Median household income: $69,577 — 363rd highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +0.9% — 392nd highest in California
> Population: 28,755 — 272nd highest in California
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Source: Junkyardsparkle / Wikimedia Commons
49. Lake Los Angeles, California
> Median home value: $180,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 7.5% — 181st highest in California
> Median household income: $45,881 — 567th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 595th highest in California
> Population: 11,751 — 457th highest in California
Source: slobo / Getty Images
48. Lemon Hill, California
> Median home value: $177,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 10.7% — 110th highest in California
> Median household income: $39,430 — 616th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +12.2% — 36th highest in California
> Population: 14,733 — 411th highest in California
Source: By Brittneal - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35862018 / Wikimedia Commons
47. Shafter, California
> Median home value: $175,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 10.8% — 107th highest in California
> Median household income: $45,854 — 569th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +11.0% — 44th highest in California
> Population: 19,447 — 358th highest in California
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Source: Demujin / iStock via Getty Images
46. Red Bluff, California
> Median home value: $174,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 16.8% — 60th highest in California
> Median household income: $31,450 — 643rd highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.4% — 352nd highest in California
> Population: 14,264 — 416th highest in California
Source: Cavan Images / iStock via Getty Images
45. Firebaugh, California
> Median home value: $173,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 9.8% — 126th highest in California
> Median household income: $35,616 — 628th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.7% — 262nd highest in California
> Population: 8,300 — 524th highest in California
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Source: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
44. Olivehurst, California
> Median home value: $173,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 17.5% — 53rd highest in California
> Median household income: $48,598 — 551st highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -5.8% — 611th highest in California
> Population: 13,464 — 428th highest in California
Source: KathyKafka / iStock via Getty Images
43. Magalia, California
> Median home value: $172,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 15.8% — 66th highest in California
> Median household income: $50,415 — 539th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.5% — 343rd highest in California
> Population: 11,476 — 464th highest in California
Source: mixmotive / iStock via Getty Images
42. Yucca Valley, California
> Median home value: $172,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 20.3% — 34th highest in California
> Median household income: $44,757 — 578th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.7% — 328th highest in California
> Population: 21,622 — 336th highest in California
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Source: Cassondra Gomez / iStock via Getty Images
41. Porterville, California
> Median home value: $172,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 13.1% — 82nd highest in California
> Median household income: $43,823 — 590th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +8.1% — 77th highest in California
> Population: 59,697 — 159th highest in California
Source: raybouk / Flickr
40. Winton, California
> Median home value: $171,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 18.8% — 43rd highest in California
> Median household income: $45,858 — 568th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -3.3% — 596th highest in California
> Population: 11,288 — 468th highest in California
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39. McFarland, California
> Median home value: $171,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 8.4% — 155th highest in California
> Median household income: $35,346 — 630th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +13.8% — 29th highest in California
> Population: 14,823 — 408th highest in California
38. Coalinga, California
> Median home value: $170,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 18.2% — 47th highest in California
> Median household income: $62,522 — 428th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.2% — 468th highest in California
> Population: 16,906 — 377th highest in California
Source: Biriosciwasco / Wikimedia Commons
37. Wasco, California
> Median home value: $168,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 8.8% — 145th highest in California
> Median household income: $39,250 — 618th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +4.7% — 164th highest in California
> Population: 27,193 — 283rd highest in California
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Source: By Visitor7 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26365798 / Wikimedia Commons
36. Corning, California
> Median home value: $167,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 15.2% — 72nd highest in California
> Median household income: $43,042 — 596th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +0.1% — 445th highest in California
> Population: 7,590 — 543rd highest in California
Source: By Leonard G. - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15659886 / Wikimedia Commons
35. Garden Acres, California
> Median home value: $167,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 21.6% — 29th highest in California
> Median household income: $41,385 — 605th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -11.6% — 638th highest in California
> Population: 9,972 — 494th highest in California
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
34. Arvin, California
> Median home value: $166,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 11.7% — 97th highest in California
> Median household income: $38,464 — 621st highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +4.5% — 169th highest in California
> Population: 21,249 — 339th highest in California
33. Crescent City, California
> Median home value: $165,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 27.1% — 13th highest in California
> Median household income: $32,137 — 639th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -6.2% — 617th highest in California
> Population: 6,676 — 582nd highest in California
Source: adamkaz / Getty Images
32. August, California
> Median home value: $164,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 21.9% — 28th highest in California
> Median household income: $34,611 — 632nd highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +0.4% — 424th highest in California
> Population: 8,405 — 517th highest in California
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Source: AlessandraRC / iStock via Getty Images
31. Thermalito, California
> Median home value: $163,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 21.9% — 27th highest in California
> Median household income: $36,964 — 626th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 593rd highest in California
> Population: 6,894 — 571st highest in California
Source: By Huron Police Department - I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license:, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6828359 / Wikimedia Commons
30. Huron, California
> Median home value: $163,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 17.1% — 58th highest in California
> Median household income: $25,060 — 647th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +4.8% — 160th highest in California
> Population: 7,115 — 566th highest in California
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Source: Courtesy of City of Woodlake via Facebook
29. Woodlake, California
> Median home value: $162,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 10.9% — 105th highest in California
> Median household income: $40,087 — 611th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.3% — 364th highest in California
> Population: 7,622 — 541st highest in California
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Source: By TOLocal - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62701199 / Wikimedia Commons
28. Lucerne Valley, California
> Median home value: $161,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 24.1% — 21st highest in California
> Median household income: $32,789 — 637th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +9.8% — 56th highest in California
> Population: 5,956 — 608th highest in California
Source: Courtesy of Parlier Police Department via Facebook
27. Parlier, California
> Median home value: $161,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 13.5% — 80th highest in California
> Median household income: $34,905 — 631st highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +3.0% — 238th highest in California
> Population: 15,312 — 403rd highest in California
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Source: Julie Jordan Scott / Flickr
26. Oildale, California
> Median home value: $160,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 26.5% — 16th highest in California
> Median household income: $38,099 — 622nd highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.7% — 259th highest in California
> Population: 34,763 — 242nd highest in California
Source: RichardHarrison / Wikimedia Commons
25. Mendota, California
> Median home value: $158,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 16.0% — 64th highest in California
> Median household income: $31,237 — 644th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.1% — 376th highest in California
> Population: 11,531 — 462nd highest in California
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Source: Woodkern / iStock via Getty Images
24. Mecca, California
> Median home value: $158,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 27.9% — 11th highest in California
> Median household income: $23,600 — 649th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -30.0% — 650th highest in California
> Population: 6,635 — 583rd highest in California
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. Yreka, California
> Median home value: $158,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 20.6% — 32nd highest in California
> Median household income: $42,483 — 599th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.0% — 520th highest in California
> Population: 7,562 — 547th highest in California
Source: By Seauton - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76354542 / Wikimedia Commons
22. Homeland, California
> Median home value: $156,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 35.5% — 4th highest in California
> Median household income: $49,180 — 546th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +17.4% — 15th highest in California
> Population: 7,086 — 567th highest in California
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Source: Raymondcmacareno / Wikimedia Commons
21. Farmersville, California
> Median home value: $153,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 15.9% — 65th highest in California
> Median household income: $39,720 — 614th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +0.1% — 439th highest in California
> Population: 10,716 — 477th highest in California
Source: Bill_Dally / Getty Images
20. Avenal, California
> Median home value: $152,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 18.1% — 48th highest in California
> Median household income: $41,114 — 606th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -8.4% — 631st highest in California
> Population: 12,961 — 435th highest in California
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Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
19. Orange Cove, California
> Median home value: $152,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 23.2% — 24th highest in California
> Median household income: $25,677 — 646th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +7.4% — 86th highest in California
> Population: 10,274 — 486th highest in California
Source: Courtesy of Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District via Facebook
18. Orosi, California
> Median home value: $150,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 19.8% — 38th highest in California
> Median household income: $40,667 — 608th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -5.6% — 609th highest in California
> Population: 8,300 — 523rd highest in California
Source: KiskaMedia / iStock via Getty Images
17. Joshua Tree, California
> Median home value: $150,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 21.1% — 31st highest in California
> Median household income: $39,424 — 617th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +3.0% — 232nd highest in California
> Population: 7,581 — 544th highest in California
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Source: Solidago / E+ via Getty Images
16. Blythe, California
> Median home value: $150,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 25.6% — 19th highest in California
> Median household income: $45,385 — 572nd highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.0% — 526th highest in California
> Population: 19,643 — 356th highest in California
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
15. West Modesto, California
> Median home value: $149,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 15.1% — 73rd highest in California
> Median household income: $37,731 — 623rd highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -4.6% — 603rd highest in California
> Population: 5,762 — 618th highest in California
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Source: Chris English / Wikimedia Commons
14. Corcoran, California
> Median home value: $149,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 23.6% — 22nd highest in California
> Median household income: $40,159 — 610th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -4.6% — 601st highest in California
> Population: 22,156 — 325th highest in California
Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
13. Taft, California
> Median home value: $146,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 26.5% — 17th highest in California
> Median household income: $45,197 — 575th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.7% — 267th highest in California
> Population: 9,372 — 504th highest in California
Source: gionnixxx / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
12. Twentynine Palms, California
> Median home value: $146,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 28.3% — 9th highest in California
> Median household income: $44,226 — 586th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.5% — 346th highest in California
> Population: 26,147 — 290th highest in California
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
11. Calipatria, California
> Median home value: $145,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 27.1% — 14th highest in California
> Median household income: $36,883 — 627th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -2.1% — 584th highest in California
> Population: 7,395 — 555th highest in California
Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images
10. Earlimart, California
> Median home value: $144,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 21.3% — 30th highest in California
> Median household income: $31,706 — 640th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 488th highest in California
> Population: 8,668 — 515th highest in California
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Source: By Tatyler - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21682377 / Wikimedia Commons
9. Lindsay, California
> Median home value: $142,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 26.8% — 15th highest in California
> Median household income: $31,489 — 642nd highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.5% — 271st highest in California
> Population: 13,310 — 432nd highest in California
Source: By GeorgeLouis at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32927920 / Wikimedia Commons
8. Lamont, California
> Median home value: $139,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 19.7% — 39th highest in California
> Median household income: $43,297 — 594th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -7.2% — 624th highest in California
> Population: 14,799 — 410th highest in California
Source: GaryKavanagh / iStock via Getty Images
7. Bret Harte, California
> Median home value: $134,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 27.3% — 12th highest in California
> Median household income: $37,526 — 625th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -0.8% — 508th highest in California
> Population: 5,148 — 645th highest in California
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Source: By Gentle - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10847201 / Wikimedia Commons
6. Salton City, California
> Median home value: $132,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 21.9% — 26th highest in California
> Median household income: $34,087 — 635th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +30.7% — 4th highest in California
> Population: 6,250 — 596th highest in California
Source: By Craig Dietrich - Flickr: Central Park, California City, California, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23233742 / Wikimedia Commons
5. California City, California
> Median home value: $124,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 32.5% — 5th highest in California
> Median household income: $49,022 — 547th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +4.7% — 162nd highest in California
> Population: 13,826 — 423rd highest in California
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Source: tupungato / iStock via Getty Images
4. East Porterville, California
> Median home value: $123,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 24.5% — 20th highest in California
> Median household income: $27,974 — 645th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: -1.6% — 575th highest in California
> Population: 6,291 — 595th highest in California
Source: Courtesy of Cutler Elementary School via Facebook
3. Cutler, California
> Median home value: $120,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 38.1% — 2nd highest in California
> Median household income: $39,646 — 615th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +14.1% — 28th highest in California
> Population: 5,214 — 641st highest in California
Source: Robert_Ford / iStock via Getty Images
2. Barstow, California
> Median home value: $117,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 36.0% — 3rd highest in California
> Median household income: $40,633 — 609th highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +2.7% — 264th highest in California
> Population: 23,899 — 311th highest in California
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Source: lovefishn / Getty Images
1. Clearlake, California
> Median home value: $110,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 43.7% — highest in California
> Median household income: $31,551 — 641st highest in California
> 5-year pop. change: +1.7% — 332nd highest in California
> Population: 15,349 — 402nd highest in California
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