Cheapest counties to buy a house in California? See where to find prices as low as $268,000

California home prices have seen a slight decline, according to the California Association of Realtors.

The median price for an existing single-family home in the state dropped to $900,720, the Realtors group said in its June home sales and price report. This is a 0.8% decrease from May’s report.

Despite this drop, the statewide median home price remains 7.5% higher from the $837,850 in June 2023.

“High mortgage rates continue to hamper California home sales,” the association said.

As of Thursday, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.51%, according to Zillow.

“The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage began to decline since early July though and recently reached the lowest level in five months as the inflation cooling trend continued,” Jordan Levine, the association’s senior vice president, said in a news release.

While it could take a while for the Federal Reserve to start lowering rates, Levine said “housing affordability for qualified buyers should begin to see some improvement in the coming months.”

If you’re looking to buy a home, here’s where you can find affordable housing options in California:

Where can I find the cheapest houses in California?

California’s cheapest home prices can largely be found in Northern California and the Central Valley, according to the report.

These 13 California counties had home prices below the state median of $900,720 in June:

1. Lassen County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $267,500

  • Region: Northern California

2. Trinity County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $322,100

  • Region: Northern California

3. Del Norte County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $375,000

  • Region: Northern California

Glenn County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $375,000

  • Region: Central Valley

4. Lake County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $352,500

  • Region: Northern California

5. Siskiyou County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $362,120

  • Region: Northern California

6. Mariposa County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $374,500

  • Region: Central Valley

7. Tehama County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $375,000

  • Region: Northern California

Tulare County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $375,000

  • Region: Central Valley

Kern County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $375,000

  • Region: Central Valley

8. Imperial County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $385,000

  • Region: Southern California

9. Kings County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $391,400

  • Region: Central Valley

10. Shasta County

  • Median sold price of existing single-family homes: $396,950

  • Region: Northern California

New homes rise in the Delta Shores development near the shopping center in south Sacramento on Dec. 12, 2023.
New homes rise in the Delta Shores development near the shopping center in south Sacramento on Dec. 12, 2023.

Where are the most expensive houses in California?

According to the California Association of Realtors, the most expensive home prices in the state can be found in the Bay Area.

Bay Area housing costs surpassed $2 million in June.

In Southern California, housing prices are slightly lower that month, with the median sold price of existing single-family homes at $875,000.

These five counties had the highest median sold prices for existing single-family homes in June:

  • San Mateo County: $2,110,000

  • Santa Clara County: $1,955,000

  • Marin County: $1,800,000

  • San Francisco County: $1,650,000

  • Orange County: $1,450,000

A housing development in Lincoln on Monday, July 24, 2023, reaches Highway 65. Over the past three years, the city’s growth rate was the fifth highest among cities in California with at least 40,000 residents, according to The Bee’s analysis
A housing development in Lincoln on Monday, July 24, 2023, reaches Highway 65. Over the past three years, the city’s growth rate was the fifth highest among cities in California with at least 40,000 residents, according to The Bee’s analysis

How much do homes cost in my California county?

You can find the full list of home prices by county on the association’s website.

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