The most affordable cities to buy a house in California (2026)

Every California city over 10,000 residents, ranked by the gross household income it takes to buy the typical home: 20% down at 6.76% (30-yr fixed), including California property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-07.

  1. Clearlake — typical home $210K, income to buy about $54,000/yr
  2. Blythe — typical home $213K, income to buy about $55,000/yr
  3. Susanville — typical home $244K, income to buy about $63,000/yr
  4. Avenal — typical home $249K, income to buy about $64,000/yr
  5. Twentynine Palms — typical home $252K, income to buy about $65,000/yr
  6. Lamont — typical home $254K, income to buy about $65,000/yr
  7. Barstow — typical home $267K, income to buy about $68,000/yr
  8. Corcoran — typical home $269K, income to buy about $69,000/yr
  9. Ridgecrest — typical home $270K, income to buy about $69,000/yr
  10. California City — typical home $275K, income to buy about $71,000/yr
  11. Farmersville — typical home $292K, income to buy about $75,000/yr
  12. Coalinga — typical home $297K, income to buy about $76,000/yr
  13. Arvin — typical home $301K, income to buy about $77,000/yr
  14. Shasta Lake — typical home $307K, income to buy about $79,000/yr
  15. Oroville — typical home $310K, income to buy about $80,000/yr
  16. Lindsay — typical home $315K, income to buy about $81,000/yr
  17. Wasco — typical home $317K, income to buy about $81,000/yr
  18. Red Bluff — typical home $318K, income to buy about $82,000/yr
  19. Parlier — typical home $330K, income to buy about $85,000/yr
  20. Mendota — typical home $332K, income to buy about $85,000/yr
  21. Porterville — typical home $332K, income to buy about $85,000/yr
  22. Delano — typical home $336K, income to buy about $86,000/yr
  23. Anderson — typical home $345K, income to buy about $88,000/yr
  24. Dinuba — typical home $360K, income to buy about $92,000/yr
  25. Tulare — typical home $360K, income to buy about $92,000/yr

At the other end, California's priciest markets: Hillsborough ($1,417,000/yr), Los Altos ($1,180,000/yr), Saratoga ($1,036,000/yr), Newport Beach ($955,000/yr), Beverly Hills ($953,000/yr).

"Income to buy" holds the typical home's payment inside the 28% lender guideline. Your own verdict depends on savings and debts — open any city and run your numbers, or see the whole country on the affordability map.

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