HOUSING

What are the most expensive cities in California to buy or rent a home?

California is one of the most expensive states to live in the U.S. Here are the cities with the highest housing costs, whether for buying or renting.

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In recent years, the housing market has been difficult to maneuver for prospective renters or owners due to the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening, which has resulted in a considerable rise in mortgage rates and home prices.

It is important to know which regions of the country have the highest cost of housing if you want to save money when looking for a new home.

According to various reports, California is the second most expensive state to live in the United States, just after Hawaii. It is also one of the states that have suffered the most from the rise in prices, according to an analysis carried out by GoBankingRates. Although the cost of housing is already high statewide, there are areas where renting and buying can be even more expensive, depending on location and demand.

Here are the most expensive cities in the Golden State to buy or rent a home in 2024, according to different analyses from the economics and finance website.

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The most expensive cities to rent in California

The national average for rent is $1,226. However, in the California, this figure can rise considerably, to the point of reaching twice the national rate. This is the top 10 among the most expensive cities to rent, making them the priciest not only in California but throughout the United States:

  • San Jose: Average rent $2,792
  • Contra Costa: Average rent $2,797
  • Chino Hills: Average rent $2,835
  • Thousand Oaks: Average rent $2,835
  • Daly City: Average rent $2,847
  • San Bruno: Average rent $2,867
  • South San Francisco: Average rent $2,873
  • Mission Viejo: Average rent $2,915
  • Aliso Viejo: Average rent of $2,925
  • Emeryville: Average rent $2,937

The most expensive cities to buy in California

According to data from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), the average cost of a home for sale in the United States is $420,800 in 2024. However, as with renting, these figures can double in the Golden State. These are the cities where it is most expensive to buy a house, according to GoBankingRates:

  • San José: Average house for sale $1,614,185
  • Los Angeles: Average home for sale $960,594
  • San Diego: Average home for sale: $946,976
  • Oxnard: Average home for sale $867,274
  • Sacramento: Average home for sale $580,804
  • Riverside: Average home for sale $579,859
  • Stockton: Average home for sale $540,147
  • Modesto: Average home for sale $464,077
  • Fresno: Average home for sale $393,138
  • Bakersfield: Average home for sale $347,079

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