The median house price of residential real estate in California has increased notably since 2012. After a brief correction in property prices in 2022, the median price reached 756,200 U.S. dollars in December 2023.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for California (CASTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q4 2024 about appraisers, CA, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

In October 2024, the median sales price of an existing single-family home in Del Norte, California saw an increase of nearly 30 percent, compared to the 5.8 percent increase in the state. 20 counties saw prices fall during this period. In Trinity, the median sales price of single-family homes decreased by approximately 36 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Housing Inventory: Median Listing Price in California (MEDLISPRICA) from Jul 2016 to Feb 2025 about CA, listing, median, price, and USA.

Mexico Average House Price: Baja California data was reported at 903,598.000 MXN in Mar 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 720,437.000 MXN for Dec 2018. Mexico Average House Price: Baja California data is updated quarterly, averaging 658,724.000 MXN from Dec 2014 (Median) to Mar 2019, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 903,598.000 MXN in Mar 2019 and a record low of 562,050.000 MXN in Dec 2014. Mexico Average House Price: Baja California data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Mortgage Society. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.EB005: Average House Price.

In October 2024, the median sales price of an existing single-family home in San Mateo, California was two million U.S. dollars. This was more than double the median sales price in the state of California. The most affordable county was Trinity, where an existing single family home sold for approximately 205,000 U.S. dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Housing Inventory: Median Listing Price Year-Over-Year in Los Angeles County, CA (MEDLISPRIYY6037) from Jul 2017 to Dec 2024 about Los Angeles County, CA; Los Angeles; CA; listing; median; price; and USA.

In October 2024, the median square footage sales price of a single-family home in the San Francisco Bay Area was approximately 752 U.S. dollars. Condos, on the other hand, sold for 686 U.S. dollars per square foot. The Far North was the most affordable region with sales price of 250 and 203 U.S. dollars for single family homes and condos, respectively.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA (MSA) (ATNHPIUS40900Q) from Q2 1976 to Q4 2024 about Sacramento, appraisers, CA, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for Los Angeles County, CA (ATNHPIUS06037A) from 1975 to 2024 about Los Angeles County, CA; Los Angeles; CA; HPI; housing; price index; indexes; price; and USA.

The San Francisco Bay Area was the only area where single-family homes sold above the list price in October 2024. In that month, buyers paid on average one percent above the list price for single-family houses. Condos, on the other hand, sold for 100 percent of the list price. As a result of the robust demand for California properties, property prices increased in the past year.

The average price per square foot of floor space in new single-family housing in the United States decreased after the great financial crisis, followed by several years of stagnation. Since 2012, the price has continuously risen, hitting 168 U.S. dollars per square foot in 2022. In 2024, the average sales price of a new home exceeded 500,000 U.S. dollars. Development of house sales in the U.S. One of the reasons for rising property prices is the gradual growth of house sales between 2011 and 2020. This period was marked by the gradual recovery following the subprime mortgage crisis and a growing housing sentiment. Another significant factor for the housing demand was the growing number of new household formations each year. Despite this trend, housing transactions plummeted in 2021, amid soaring prices and borrowing costs. In 2021, the average construction cost for single-family housing rose by nearly 12 percent year-on-year, and in 2022, the increase was even higher, at close to 17 percent. Financing a house purchase Mortgage interest rates in the U.S. rose dramatically in 2022 and remained elevated until 2024. In 2020, a homebuyer could lock in a 30-year fixed interest rate of under three percent, whereas in 2024, the average rate for the same mortgage type was more than twice higher. That has led to a decline in homebuyer sentiment, and an increasing share of the population pessimistic about buying a home in the current market.

Median Home Sale Price: All Residential: Chico, CA data was reported at 375.000 USD th in Jul 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 363.000 USD th for Jun 2020. Median Home Sale Price: All Residential: Chico, CA data is updated monthly, averaging 256.500 USD th from Feb 2012 (Median) to Jul 2020, with 102 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 375.000 USD th in Jul 2020 and a record low of 160.000 USD th in May 2012. Median Home Sale Price: All Residential: Chico, CA data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Redfin. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.EB056: Median Home Sale Price: by Metropolitan Areas.

This table contains data on the percent of households paying more than 30% (or 50%) of monthly household income towards housing costs for California, its regions, counties, cities/towns, and census tracts. Data is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Consolidated Planning Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) and the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). The table is part of a series of indicators in the [Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity] Affordable, quality housing is central to health, conferring protection from the environment and supporting family life. Housing costs—typically the largest, single expense in a family's budget—also impact decisions that affect health. As housing consumes larger proportions of household income, families have less income for nutrition, health care, transportation, education, etc. Severe cost burdens may induce poverty—which is associated with developmental and behavioral problems in children and accelerated cognitive and physical decline in adults. Low-income families and minority communities are disproportionately affected by the lack of affordable, quality housing. More information about the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the Attachments.

Existing single family homes in California have been selling faster than ever in the past year. As of March 2022, the median time between a new listing and a purchase in the major counties in California was below 15 days, whereas in August 2019, it was between 12 and 33 days. The robust demand for properties in California has led to substantial house price growth in almost all counties in California in the past year.

Graph and download economic data for Housing Inventory: Average Listing Price in Orange County, CA (AVELISPRI6059) from Jul 2016 to Dec 2024 about Orange County, CA; Los Angeles; average; CA; listing; price; and USA.

In 2022, San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara were the most expensive districts for housing in the San Francisco Bay Area. In San Francisco, the average square footage price of single-family homes exceeded 1,000 U.S. dollars per square foot. Housing in Solano, on the other hand, was most affordable, with the average square footage price for single family homes at 370 U.S. dollars.

How expensive is buying a home in San Francisco? Few metros in the U.S. are more expensive than San Francisco, CA. In 2022, the median sales price of existing single-family homes in San Francisco was about 1.4 million U.S. dollars, making it the second priciest market in the U.S. House prices in the Golden City, were not always so high: in 2014, a two-bedroom house in the Bay Area would sell for less than 500,000 U.S. dollars but since then, the median price has more than doubled.

How much does renting an apartment cost? Despite rents falling in 2020, renting in San Francisco is still far from cheap. Renting a two-bedroom apartment cost close to 4,000 U.S. dollars in 2021. California is one of the least affordable states for renters. In fact, to afford to rent such an apartment, a household needs approximately three full time jobs at minimum wage or two full time jobs at mean wage.

Graph and download economic data for Housing Inventory: Median Listing Price per Square Feet Year-Over-Year in San Diego County, CA (MEDLISPRIPERSQUFEEYY6073) from Jul 2017 to Dec 2024 about San Diego County, CA; San Diego; square feet; CA; listing; median; price; and USA.

VITAL SIGNS INDICATOR
Home Prices (EC7)

FULL MEASURE NAME
Home Prices

LAST UPDATED
December 2022

DESCRIPTION
Home prices refer to the cost of purchasing one’s own house or condominium. While a significant share of residents may choose to rent, home prices represent a primary driver of housing affordability in a given region, county or city.

DATA SOURCE
Zillow: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) - http://www.zillow.com/research/data/
2000-2021

California Department of Finance: E-4 Historical Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State - https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/
2000-2021

US Census Population and Housing Unit Estimates - https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html
2000-2021

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Consumer Price Index - http://data.bls.gov
2000-2021

US Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) - https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/zctas.html
2020 Census Blocks

CONTACT INFORMATION
vitalsigns.info@bayareametro.gov

METHODOLOGY NOTES (across all datasets for this indicator)
Housing price estimates at the regional-, county-, city- and zip code-level come from analysis of individual home sales by Zillow based upon transaction records. Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) is a smoothed, seasonally adjusted measure of the typical home value and market changes across a given region and housing type. It reflects the typical value for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range. ZHVI is computed from public record transaction data as reported by counties. All standard real estate transactions are included in this metric, including REO sales and auctions. Zillow makes a substantial effort to remove transactions not typically considered a standard sale. Examples of these include bank takeovers of foreclosed properties, title transfers after a death or divorce and non arms-length transactions. Zillow defines all homes as single-family residential, condominium and co-operative homes with a county record. Single-family residences are detached, which means the home is an individual structure with its own lot. Condominiums are units that can be owned in a multi-unit complex, such as an apartment building. Co-operative homes are slightly different from condominiums in that the homeowners own shares in the corporation that owns the building, not the actual units themselves.

For metropolitan area comparison values, the Bay Area metro area’s median home sale price is the population-weighted average of the nine counties’ median home prices. Data is adjusted for inflation using Bureau of Labor Statistics metropolitan statistical area (MSA)-specific series. Inflation-adjusted data are presented to illustrate how home prices have grown relative to overall price increases; that said, the use of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) does create some challenges given the fact that housing represents a major chunk of consumer goods bundle used to calculate CPI. This reflects a methodological tradeoff between precision and accuracy and is a common concern when working with any commodity that is a major component of the CPI itself.

The S&P Case Shiller Los Angeles Home Price Index measures changes in the prices of existing single-family homes in Los Angeles. The index value was equal to 100 as of January 2000, so if the index value is equal to 130 in a given month, for example, it means that the house prices have increased by 30 percent since 2000. The value of the S&P Case Shiller Los Angeles Home Price Index amounted to approximately 441.57 in August 2024. That was significantly higher than the national average.