Exploring the California housing market, where prices are reaching new heights.
California’s housing market continues to soar, with rising home prices causing affordability concerns for potential buyers. As high mortgage rates push monthly payments higher, cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles lead the list of expensive markets. Despite a 50% increase in housing supply from last year, homes remain scarce compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, Bakersfield emerges as an affordable alternative with significantly lower home prices and living costs, offering a welcoming environment for families seeking a budget-friendly option.
Get ready for some jaw-dropping numbers, because California’s housing market is hotter than ever! The typical home value across the U.S. stood at $359,741 this past March, marking a modest rise of 1.2% since last year. But here in the Golden State? Things are different, as affordability issues continue to be a major talking point among potential buyers.
Ever heard of the term “significant investment”? Well, owning a home is almost synonymous with it. But the rising trend in home values is causing some serious concern. With current high mortgage rates pushing monthly payments skyward, buying a home may feel like climbing a mountain for many. As of mid-April 2025, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.83%, rattling budgets and forcing many hopeful homeowners to reassess their plans.
If we delve into the list of California cities with the priciest homes based on the Zillow Home Values Index, the figures are truly staggering! The San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley area leads the pack with an impressive 11 cities making the cut for the most expensive homes in the state.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara aren’t far behind, each boasting 7 cities in the top spots. Even cities like San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad and Santa Maria-Santa Barbara squeezed in 2 cities each. Meanwhile, Salinas stands alone with just one city making the list.
And if you think that’s steep, wait until you hear that homes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley area can soar over $6 million! Can you imagine the views from those places?
Looking at inventory, California’s active housing market saw a remarkable 50% increase in housing supply year-over-year by the end of March 2025. Yet, it’s worth noting that the state still has 20% fewer homes available compared to pre-pandemic levels seen back in March 2019. Fortunately, those nine major counties that have an uptick in available homes compared to that time might spell some relief for buyers.
Now, if you’re worried about those skyrocketing prices, fear not! Welcome to Bakersfield, which has earned the title of one of the most affordable cities in California for 2025. Here, the average home price is around $390,000, a far cry from the dizzying prices of cities like Los Angeles.
On top of that, rents in Bakersfield hover around $1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment. With lower living costs that include transportation and groceries, it’s a budget-friendly tune! And let’s not forget the cherry on top – Bakersfield offers easy access to outdoor activities, gorgeous coastal beaches, and a blossoming arts and culture scene without losing the family-friendly charm that many are searching for.
In a nutshell, while home prices are climbing higher than a California wave, there are still gems like Bakersfield waiting to welcome you with open arms and a lot less strain on your wallet. All that said, it seems the California real estate market is a ride we’ll be watching closely!
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