California · Counties · ACS + FHFA HPI
Two recent headlines about California housing appear to contradict each other. One reports a record-high statewide median. Another reports a four-year affordability peak. The county data shows both are correct: coastal counties continue to set records, while several inland counties have cooled enough over five years to pull regional affordability indices up.
California's statewide median home value is $505,000. But the spread between counties is enormous, and the direction of price change varies by region. This page resolves the apparent contradiction with FHFA County House Price Index data alongside ACS 5-Year medians.
Top 8 by Median Home Value
Slowest 5-yr HPI Growth
These counties have the slowest five-year House Price Index growth in California per the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Several have moved below the national HPI growth rate over the period — meaning that in inflation-adjusted terms, homes there have become relatively cheaper. This is the underlying data behind any headline claiming California affordability has improved.
A statewide median is a single number summarising 58 very different housing markets. When coastal medians climb and inland medians flatten, the statewide figure can hit a record even as the underlying distribution becomes more polarised. The honest answer for a buyer or seller is always the specific county — not the state.
Use the map to see County HPI alongside median home value, median rent, and renter cost burden across all California counties.
Are California home prices at a record high?
Statewide and along the coast, yes. San Mateo, CA leads at $1,559,600. Inland California has cooled — San Francisco, CA is up only 13.7% over five years.
Which California counties have the most expensive homes?
San Mateo, CA ($1,559,600), Marin, CA ($1,507,300), Santa Clara, CA ($1,490,600).
Where in California have prices cooled?
San Francisco, CA, Sierra, CA, Lake, CA — all inland counties with five-year HPI growth at or below the national rate.