The Golden State is one of the most sought after places to live but, unfortunately, one of the most expensive in the nation. There are simply too many people and too few of homes. Nonetheless, there are some places that are actually a bit more affordable than others.
Topics
Key Takeaways:
- Southern California is more unaffordable than any other part of California
- The median Californian spends 31.6% of their income on housing
- The median income for residents that can afford housing is $110,356
- The median income for residents that spend more than 50% of their income on housing is $49,367
Least Affordable Cities to Own a Home in California
In California, the average person will spend 30% of their income on housing. However, there are some areas of the state, notably in the around the Los Angeles area where residents need to spend upwards of 60% of their income to afford housing. What is striking about the data is the least affordable areas are not the ones with the most expensive homes in terms of monthly costs. Rather, there are pockets of towns scattered throughout LA county and the Bay Area where housing costs are below or about average for the state of California, but the median income for residents of those towns are just simply not high enough to comfortably afford living there.
The Most Affordable Cities to Own a Home in California
The most affordable places to own a home in California are mostly located in the Bay Area or in the Central California. Only one is found in Los Angeles. Here residents are less cost burdened, and pay roughly 23% to 30% of their income toward housing.
Interestingly, the median income for the top ten areas is approximately $117,000 – which is nearly double the median income for California. It underscores the fact that in California residents need to earn far more than the average in order to afford a home.
The Full Data
We encourage you to explore our data to see how your city ranks. We looked at over 300 cities and towns in California where the population was over 25,000.
| Rank (Least Affordable to Most) | City | Total Population | Median Yearly Income | Monthly Housing Costs | Median Home Value | Affordability Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westmont | 33,532 | $30,864 | $1,868 | $349,500 | 72.6% |
| 2 | Hawthorne | 87,425 | $47,636 | $2,373 | $461,400 | 59.8% |
| 3 | Huntington Park | 58,993 | $38,106 | $1,852 | $357,500 | 58.3% |
| 4 | Maywood | 27,700 | $37,508 | $1,784 | $350,800 | 57.1% |
| 5 | Glendale | 199,750 | $58,657 | $2,732 | $675,300 | 55.9% |
| 6 | Bell | 35,942 | $39,686 | $1,845 | $352,000 | 55.8% |
| 7 | Los Angeles | 3,949,776 | $54,501 | $2,531 | $549,800 | 55.7% |
| 8 | San Luis Obispo | 46,997 | $49,640 | $2,279 | $590,800 | 55.1% |
| 9 | Florence-Graham | 63,821 | $36,289 | $1,661 | $301,000 | 54.9% |
| 10 | Bell Gardens | 42,845 | $39,008 | $1,760 | $347,300 | 54.1% |
| 11 | East Palo Alto | 29,646 | $58,783 | $2,596 | $600,200 | 53.0% |
| 12 | Imperial Beach | 27,270 | $49,950 | $2,169 | $433,400 | 52.1% |
| 13 | West Hollywood | 36,148 | $66,458 | $2,849 | $684,200 | 51.4% |
| 14 | El Cajon | 103,314 | $49,445 | $2,099 | $403,700 | 50.9% |
| 15 | El Monte | 115,958 | $43,504 | $1,838 | $401,000 | 50.7% |
| 16 | Coachella | 44,382 | $34,300 | $1,446 | $183,800 | 50.6% |
| 17 | Santa Cruz | 63,993 | $65,421 | $2,757 | $750,600 | 50.6% |
| 18 | Inglewood | 111,006 | $46,389 | $1,951 | $389,600 | 50.5% |
| 19 | Santa Monica | 92,495 | $86,084 | $3,616 | $1,168,500 | 50.4% |
| 20 | Monterey Park | 61,056 | $55,117 | $2,311 | $566,700 | 50.3% |
| 21 | San Gabriel | 40,315 | $55,939 | $2,323 | $628,300 | 49.8% |
| 22 | Santa Barbara | 91,443 | $71,160 | $2,919 | $934,500 | 49.2% |
| 23 | National | 60,715 | $43,168 | $1,768 | $345,400 | 49.1% |
| 24 | Fallbrook | 31,121 | $56,468 | $2,302 | $463,400 | 48.9% |
| 25 | Alhambra | 85,168 | $55,401 | $2,256 | $553,800 | 48.9% |
| 26 | Gardena | 60,096 | $50,807 | $2,065 | $407,000 | 48.8% |
| 27 | Rosemead | 54,615 | $50,074 | $2,030 | $489,700 | 48.6% |
| 28 | Arden-Arcade | 98,616 | $48,156 | $1,924 | $333,900 | 47.9% |
| 29 | Lynwood | 71,350 | $45,839 | $1,830 | $345,100 | 47.9% |
| 30 | Westminster | 91,785 | $57,575 | $2,291 | $546,200 | 47.7% |
| 31 | Berkeley | 120,179 | $75,709 | $2,977 | $861,800 | 47.2% |
| 32 | Oakland | 417,442 | $63,251 | $2,480 | $564,500 | 47.1% |
| 33 | Montebello | 63,468 | $50,312 | $1,972 | $441,500 | 47.0% |
| 34 | Palm Springs | 47,140 | $48,126 | $1,885 | $340,600 | 47.0% |
| 35 | Watsonville | 53,452 | $51,548 | $2,018 | $397,900 | 47.0% |
| 36 | Davis | 67,500 | $63,071 | $2,468 | $594,000 | 47.0% |
| 37 | Burbank | 104,765 | $69,118 | $2,694 | $646,000 | 46.8% |
| 38 | South Gate | 95,420 | $47,281 | $1,837 | $351,000 | 46.6% |
| 39 | Bellflower | 77,852 | $52,944 | $2,044 | $398,000 | 46.3% |
| 40 | Beverly Hills | 34,506 | $103,698 | $4,001 | $2,000,001 | 46.3% |
| 41 | East Los Angeles | 123,905 | $42,544 | $1,636 | $349,200 | 46.1% |
| 42 | Long Beach | 470,489 | $58,314 | $2,234 | $476,400 | 46.0% |
| 43 | Eureka | 27,024 | $39,720 | $1,520 | $249,300 | 45.9% |
| 44 | Stanton | 38,648 | $50,601 | $1,904 | $339,000 | 45.2% |
| 45 | Lawndale | 33,191 | $54,862 | $2,061 | $417,600 | 45.1% |
| 46 | San Marcos | 93,493 | $70,417 | $2,580 | $455,700 | 44.0% |
| 47 | Adelanto | 32,867 | $34,446 | $1,260 | $151,600 | 43.9% |
| 48 | Chico | 90,660 | $45,337 | $1,658 | $286,700 | 43.9% |
| 49 | Cathedral | 53,733 | $43,384 | $1,585 | $232,400 | 43.8% |
| 50 | Escondido | 150,783 | $58,834 | $2,147 | $396,200 | 43.8% |
| 51 | Calexico | 39,953 | $38,015 | $1,383 | $182,900 | 43.7% |
| 52 | San Rafael | 59,180 | $85,931 | $3,120 | $816,700 | 43.6% |
| 53 | Vista | 99,496 | $59,833 | $2,172 | $423,500 | 43.6% |
| 54 | Monterey | 28,671 | $73,942 | $2,663 | $696,200 | 43.2% |
| 55 | Desert Hot Springs | 28,298 | $34,251 | $1,228 | $154,600 | 43.0% |
| 56 | Arcadia | 58,156 | $90,666 | $3,248 | $994,400 | 43.0% |
| 57 | La Mesa | 59,479 | $59,629 | $2,134 | $455,800 | 42.9% |
| 58 | Hemet | 83,604 | $37,171 | $1,327 | $157,500 | 42.8% |
| 59 | Pasadena | 141,231 | $76,264 | $2,717 | $689,700 | 42.8% |
| 60 | Seaside | 34,259 | $57,653 | $2,050 | $413,600 | 42.7% |
| 61 | Fullerton | 139,976 | $71,660 | $2,540 | $589,600 | 42.5% |
| 62 | South Pasadena | 25,974 | $92,756 | $3,283 | $928,500 | 42.5% |
| 63 | Anaheim | 349,007 | $65,313 | $2,305 | $491,400 | 42.3% |
| 64 | Temple | 36,214 | $69,853 | $2,464 | $661,000 | 42.3% |
| 65 | Paramount | 55,020 | $49,064 | $1,727 | $304,400 | 42.2% |
| 66 | Compton | 97,847 | $48,117 | $1,692 | $287,300 | 42.2% |
| 67 | El Centro | 43,932 | $43,581 | $1,524 | $172,800 | 42.0% |
| 68 | San Juan Capistrano | 35,948 | $81,730 | $2,858 | $635,100 | 42.0% |
| 69 | Upland | 76,155 | $65,349 | $2,271 | $465,200 | 41.7% |
| 70 | Costa Mesa | 112,930 | $75,109 | $2,610 | $671,800 | 41.7% |
| 71 | Oildale | 34,496 | $38,574 | $1,339 | $136,100 | 41.7% |
| 72 | Downey | 113,358 | $68,162 | $2,366 | $479,500 | 41.7% |
| 73 | Santa Ana | 334,493 | $57,151 | $1,982 | $421,600 | 41.6% |
| 74 | Palm Desert | 51,675 | $56,262 | $1,951 | $328,300 | 41.6% |
| 75 | Dana Point | 34,028 | $90,310 | $3,131 | $833,800 | 41.6% |
| 76 | Monrovia | 37,138 | $71,373 | $2,473 | $606,000 | 41.6% |
| 77 | San Francisco | 864,263 | $96,265 | $3,332 | $927,400 | 41.5% |
| 78 | Santa Paula | 30,344 | $55,090 | $1,906 | $349,500 | 41.5% |
| 79 | Rowland Heights | 50,572 | $66,246 | $2,288 | $594,400 | 41.4% |
| 80 | Oceanside | 174,811 | $61,778 | $2,126 | $423,100 | 41.3% |
| 81 | Salinas | 156,811 | $54,864 | $1,887 | $342,100 | 41.3% |
| 82 | Lompoc | 43,762 | $49,074 | $1,687 | $269,100 | 41.3% |
| 83 | Chula Vista | 264,101 | $70,197 | $2,405 | $433,500 | 41.1% |
| 84 | San Bernardino | 215,252 | $41,027 | $1,405 | $202,100 | 41.1% |
| 85 | Indio | 86,867 | $49,951 | $1,709 | $247,900 | 41.1% |
| 86 | Garden Grove | 174,812 | $62,675 | $2,138 | $476,300 | 40.9% |
| 87 | Whittier | 86,852 | $69,058 | $2,353 | $488,200 | 40.9% |
| 88 | Tustin | 80,007 | $73,567 | $2,498 | $585,700 | 40.7% |
| 89 | Redding | 91,236 | $46,389 | $1,573 | $245,100 | 40.7% |
| 90 | San Pablo | 30,720 | $47,459 | $1,606 | $270,400 | 40.6% |
| 91 | Burlingame | 30,401 | $118,410 | $4,001 | $1,591,600 | 40.5% |
| 92 | Redwood | 84,368 | $99,026 | $3,346 | $1,016,700 | 40.5% |
| 93 | Pomona | 152,366 | $53,281 | $1,792 | $344,200 | 40.4% |
| 94 | Walnut Creek | 68,516 | $86,845 | $2,920 | $704,900 | 40.3% |
| 95 | Spring Valley (San Diego County) | 30,439 | $62,734 | $2,108 | $407,200 | 40.3% |
| 96 | Newport Beach | 86,793 | $119,379 | $4,001 | $1,695,700 | 40.2% |
| 97 | Highland | 54,704 | $55,130 | $1,846 | $288,500 | 40.2% |
| 98 | Florin | 49,226 | $40,959 | $1,371 | $187,400 | 40.2% |
| 99 | Banning | 30,824 | $39,700 | $1,325 | $197,500 | 40.1% |
| 100 | Azusa | 49,029 | $57,728 | $1,925 | $367,500 | 40.0% |
| 101 | San Diego | 1,390,966 | $71,535 | $2,377 | $523,600 | 39.9% |
| 102 | Merced | 82,008 | $40,704 | $1,350 | $185,700 | 39.8% |
| 103 | San Leandro | 89,910 | $66,178 | $2,194 | $474,500 | 39.8% |
| 104 | El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | 31,409 | $61,053 | $2,008 | $404,700 | 39.5% |
| 105 | Fresno | 519,037 | $44,853 | $1,474 | $206,800 | 39.4% |
| 106 | Lemon Grove | 26,645 | $60,309 | $1,977 | $367,700 | 39.3% |
| 107 | Richmond | 108,853 | $61,045 | $1,994 | $371,900 | 39.2% |
| 108 | Stockton | 304,358 | $48,396 | $1,580 | $220,600 | 39.2% |
| 109 | La Presa | 36,225 | $61,568 | $2,009 | $348,900 | 39.2% |
| 110 | Oxnard | 206,732 | $64,837 | $2,090 | $390,000 | 38.7% |
| 111 | Los Banos | 37,559 | $46,994 | $1,511 | $226,700 | 38.6% |
| 112 | West Sacramento | 52,206 | $59,586 | $1,914 | $304,600 | 38.5% |
| 113 | Lancaster | 160,113 | $49,314 | $1,580 | $213,100 | 38.4% |
| 114 | San Clemente | 65,226 | $101,843 | $3,257 | $849,300 | 38.4% |
| 115 | Reedley | 25,419 | $43,036 | $1,375 | $174,100 | 38.3% |
| 116 | Torrance | 147,190 | $85,070 | $2,717 | $687,900 | 38.3% |
| 117 | Lodi | 64,403 | $52,244 | $1,667 | $269,400 | 38.3% |
| 118 | Alameda | 78,246 | $89,045 | $2,833 | $729,100 | 38.2% |
| 119 | Santa Rosa | 174,244 | $67,144 | $2,134 | $458,500 | 38.1% |
| 120 | Culver | 39,432 | $86,997 | $2,752 | $735,600 | 38.0% |
| 121 | Covina | 48,601 | $68,311 | $2,158 | $441,100 | 37.9% |
| 122 | Wasco | 26,378 | $36,681 | $1,153 | $155,800 | 37.7% |
| 123 | Santa Maria | 104,791 | $55,485 | $1,744 | $297,200 | 37.7% |
| 124 | Baldwin Park | 76,572 | $57,209 | $1,797 | $357,500 | 37.7% |
| 125 | Colton | 54,200 | $47,256 | $1,482 | $212,100 | 37.6% |
| 126 | Irvine | 256,877 | $95,573 | $2,993 | $753,400 | 37.6% |
| 127 | Sacramento | 489,650 | $54,615 | $1,707 | $287,600 | 37.5% |
| 128 | Novato | 55,378 | $89,812 | $2,805 | $677,500 | 37.5% |
| 129 | South Whittier | 60,000 | $63,010 | $1,967 | $419,800 | 37.5% |
| 130 | Hayward | 156,917 | $74,927 | $2,339 | $462,000 | 37.5% |
| 131 | Porterville | 58,782 | $39,909 | $1,243 | $163,100 | 37.4% |
| 132 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | 110,153 | $72,859 | $2,269 | $493,800 | 37.4% |
| 133 | Yucaipa | 53,151 | $58,166 | $1,808 | $275,600 | 37.3% |
| 134 | Buena Park | 83,020 | $71,005 | $2,189 | $482,300 | 37.0% |
| 135 | Delano | 52,709 | $38,708 | $1,193 | $167,900 | 37.0% |
| 136 | Gilroy | 54,159 | $86,742 | $2,673 | $583,900 | 37.0% |
| 137 | North Highlands | 47,357 | $41,315 | $1,273 | $168,300 | 37.0% |
| 138 | San Mateo | 103,500 | $103,399 | $3,174 | $921,700 | 36.8% |
| 139 | Yuba | 66,229 | $51,037 | $1,562 | $230,900 | 36.7% |
| 140 | Huntington Beach | 200,415 | $88,079 | $2,693 | $688,700 | 36.7% |
| 141 | Napa | 79,722 | $75,341 | $2,301 | $536,800 | 36.6% |
| 142 | Woodland | 58,324 | $60,446 | $1,844 | $316,500 | 36.6% |
| 143 | La Habra | 61,965 | $72,178 | $2,201 | $473,200 | 36.6% |
| 144 | Corona | 163,585 | $73,594 | $2,240 | $411,600 | 36.5% |
| 145 | Madera | 64,058 | $40,731 | $1,237 | $180,400 | 36.4% |
| 146 | Montclair | 38,613 | $54,192 | $1,643 | $304,200 | 36.4% |
| 147 | Rohnert Park | 42,305 | $62,769 | $1,901 | $377,200 | 36.3% |
| 148 | Redondo Beach | 67,950 | $104,548 | $3,159 | $817,300 | 36.3% |
| 149 | Vallejo | 120,599 | $62,272 | $1,879 | $295,600 | 36.2% |
| 150 | Los Gatos town | 30,709 | $132,671 | $4,001 | $1,476,700 | 36.2% |
| 151 | Carmichael | 65,091 | $60,466 | $1,823 | $334,900 | 36.2% |
| 152 | Orange | 140,289 | $83,500 | $2,516 | $604,300 | 36.2% |
| 153 | Pico Rivera | 63,750 | $61,586 | $1,854 | $380,200 | 36.1% |
| 154 | Menlo Park | 33,661 | $132,928 | $4,001 | $1,764,600 | 36.1% |
| 155 | Ontario | 171,041 | $57,544 | $1,732 | $320,000 | 36.1% |
| 156 | Turlock | 71,906 | $53,661 | $1,613 | $267,100 | 36.1% |
| 157 | Daly | 106,480 | $86,342 | $2,589 | $651,600 | 36.0% |
| 158 | Goleta | 30,847 | $87,068 | $2,609 | $718,300 | 36.0% |
| 159 | San Jacinto | 46,932 | $48,025 | $1,438 | $188,200 | 35.9% |
| 160 | Belmont | 27,110 | $125,958 | $3,763 | $1,174,200 | 35.9% |
| 161 | San Bruno | 43,105 | $94,705 | $2,826 | $754,700 | 35.8% |
| 162 | Placentia | 52,294 | $88,501 | $2,640 | $585,800 | 35.8% |
| 163 | Campbell | 41,164 | $108,498 | $3,234 | $884,600 | 35.8% |
| 164 | Norwalk | 106,404 | $63,669 | $1,896 | $375,400 | 35.7% |
| 165 | San Jose | 1,023,031 | $96,662 | $2,872 | $714,200 | 35.7% |
| 166 | Carlsbad | 113,147 | $102,722 | $3,043 | $713,600 | 35.5% |
| 167 | Perris | 75,011 | $54,657 | $1,617 | $239,800 | 35.5% |
| 168 | Redlands | 70,765 | $68,956 | $2,031 | $350,900 | 35.3% |
| 169 | Concord | 128,160 | $76,500 | $2,253 | $461,700 | 35.3% |
| 170 | Fountain Valley | 56,640 | $86,602 | $2,534 | $654,100 | 35.1% |
| 171 | Victorville | 121,721 | $47,895 | $1,401 | $177,600 | 35.1% |
| 172 | Menifee | 86,820 | $60,808 | $1,778 | $278,300 | 35.1% |
| 173 | Altadena | 45,236 | $88,774 | $2,595 | $649,800 | 35.1% |
| 174 | Rancho Cordova | 70,785 | $57,965 | $1,690 | $251,500 | 35.0% |
| 175 | South San Francisco | 67,120 | $92,074 | $2,682 | $697,400 | 35.0% |
| 176 | Encinitas | 62,595 | $103,842 | $3,016 | $862,300 | 34.9% |
| 177 | Lake Elsinore | 62,229 | $66,032 | $1,917 | $306,400 | 34.8% |
| 178 | La Puente | 40,451 | $60,019 | $1,742 | $364,300 | 34.8% |
| 179 | Rialto | 102,708 | $54,962 | $1,594 | $260,200 | 34.8% |
| 180 | Paradise town | 26,437 | $48,831 | $1,415 | $205,500 | 34.8% |
| 181 | West Covina | 107,786 | $74,551 | $2,158 | $459,500 | 34.7% |
| 182 | Morgan Hill | 43,136 | $107,161 | $3,098 | $729,900 | 34.7% |
| 183 | Riverside | 321,570 | $62,460 | $1,805 | $319,200 | 34.7% |
| 184 | Brawley | 25,959 | $43,469 | $1,256 | $158,000 | 34.7% |
| 185 | Pittsburg | 69,449 | $66,739 | $1,927 | $324,500 | 34.6% |
| 186 | Laguna Niguel | 65,429 | $99,206 | $2,859 | $737,400 | 34.6% |
| 187 | West Whittier-Los Nietos | 27,002 | $67,980 | $1,959 | $390,000 | 34.6% |
| 188 | Antioch | 110,026 | $69,925 | $2,013 | $330,900 | 34.5% |
| 189 | San Dimas | 34,334 | $81,242 | $2,336 | $513,300 | 34.5% |
| 190 | Citrus Heights | 86,618 | $54,373 | $1,562 | $246,600 | 34.5% |
| 191 | Atascadero | 29,797 | $72,240 | $2,069 | $433,900 | 34.4% |
| 192 | Apple Valley town | 71,916 | $50,907 | $1,455 | $215,800 | 34.3% |
| 193 | Modesto | 210,166 | $54,024 | $1,544 | $236,200 | 34.3% |
| 194 | Chino | 85,609 | $75,530 | $2,146 | $400,900 | 34.1% |
| 195 | Palmdale | 157,358 | $56,699 | $1,610 | $229,200 | 34.1% |
| 196 | Twentynine Palms | 25,995 | $41,509 | $1,178 | $120,900 | 34.1% |
| 197 | Fair Oaks | 30,704 | $75,696 | $2,143 | $417,500 | 34.0% |
| 198 | Fontana | 207,086 | $68,304 | $1,933 | $323,300 | 34.0% |
| 199 | Mountain View | 80,076 | $120,351 | $3,404 | $1,079,900 | 33.9% |
| 200 | La Verne | 32,320 | $82,829 | $2,339 | $535,900 | 33.9% |
| 201 | Rancho Palos Verdes | 42,463 | $124,552 | $3,517 | $1,051,000 | 33.9% |
| 202 | Hollister | 37,182 | $77,823 | $2,196 | $415,900 | 33.9% |
| 203 | Brea | 41,921 | $90,214 | $2,545 | $610,700 | 33.9% |
| 204 | Ceres | 47,650 | $51,113 | $1,439 | $218,300 | 33.8% |
| 205 | Lemoore | 25,525 | $54,471 | $1,523 | $199,200 | 33.6% |
| 206 | Castro Valley | 63,625 | $92,233 | $2,568 | $634,600 | 33.4% |
| 207 | Petaluma | 60,210 | $84,949 | $2,365 | $556,900 | 33.4% |
| 208 | Union | 74,354 | $95,625 | $2,659 | $620,200 | 33.4% |
| 209 | Foothill Farms | 33,627 | $48,438 | $1,342 | $201,200 | 33.2% |
| 210 | Soledad | 25,603 | $55,917 | $1,545 | $293,600 | 33.2% |
| 211 | Claremont | 35,949 | $96,923 | $2,674 | $605,700 | 33.1% |
| 212 | Cypress | 49,108 | $90,345 | $2,490 | $576,500 | 33.1% |
| 213 | Tulare | 62,296 | $49,584 | $1,366 | $177,500 | 33.1% |
| 214 | Murrieta | 110,043 | $80,373 | $2,213 | $367,400 | 33.0% |
| 215 | Rancho Cucamonga | 174,573 | $83,736 | $2,301 | $444,200 | 33.0% |
| 216 | Carson | 92,927 | $75,517 | $2,070 | $402,500 | 32.9% |
| 217 | Santa Clarita | 209,489 | $90,544 | $2,476 | $461,500 | 32.8% |
| 218 | Hacienda Heights | 54,155 | $81,379 | $2,223 | $545,400 | 32.8% |
| 219 | Fairfield | 112,790 | $75,292 | $2,054 | $341,500 | 32.7% |
| 220 | Glendora | 51,891 | $86,442 | $2,356 | $517,100 | 32.7% |
| 221 | Hesperia | 93,190 | $49,726 | $1,354 | $199,200 | 32.7% |
| 222 | Manteca | 75,314 | $68,019 | $1,849 | $319,600 | 32.6% |
| 223 | Palo Alto | 67,082 | $147,537 | $4,001 | $1,989,300 | 32.5% |
| 224 | Walnut | 30,062 | $98,329 | $2,664 | $703,800 | 32.5% |
| 225 | Santa Clara | 124,635 | $108,609 | $2,934 | $831,600 | 32.4% |
| 226 | Atwater | 29,118 | $50,181 | $1,355 | $179,400 | 32.4% |
| 227 | Poway | 49,874 | $102,338 | $2,762 | $620,500 | 32.4% |
| 228 | Simi Valley | 126,546 | $93,516 | $2,523 | $508,600 | 32.4% |
| 229 | Visalia | 130,047 | $54,934 | $1,481 | $207,400 | 32.4% |
| 230 | Laguna Hills | 31,235 | $99,797 | $2,684 | $649,700 | 32.3% |
| 231 | Santee | 57,376 | $81,430 | $2,190 | $397,200 | 32.3% |
| 232 | Bakersfield | 372,680 | $60,058 | $1,614 | $228,400 | 32.2% |
| 233 | Manhattan Beach | 35,698 | $148,899 | $4,001 | $1,694,900 | 32.2% |
| 234 | Vacaville | 96,918 | $77,807 | $2,090 | $354,600 | 32.2% |
| 235 | Beaumont | 43,641 | $71,664 | $1,924 | $275,200 | 32.2% |
| 236 | Jurupa Valley | 102,202 | $63,286 | $1,698 | $308,900 | 32.2% |
| 237 | Norco | 26,711 | $91,915 | $2,466 | $476,900 | 32.2% |
| 238 | Clovis | 104,411 | $68,682 | $1,839 | $284,200 | 32.1% |
| 239 | Thousand Oaks | 128,909 | $103,793 | $2,768 | $663,600 | 32.0% |
| 240 | Pacifica | 39,141 | $106,959 | $2,841 | $740,700 | 31.9% |
| 241 | Moreno Valley | 203,691 | $59,827 | $1,584 | $260,600 | 31.8% |
| 242 | Wildomar | 35,492 | $67,510 | $1,786 | $308,100 | 31.7% |
| 243 | Rancho Santa Margarita | 49,078 | $106,939 | $2,829 | $619,200 | 31.7% |
| 244 | Camarillo | 67,116 | $92,780 | $2,453 | $541,600 | 31.7% |
| 245 | La Quinta | 40,305 | $76,131 | $2,010 | $376,100 | 31.7% |
| 246 | Brentwood | 58,828 | $96,945 | $2,548 | $482,600 | 31.5% |
| 247 | Lincoln | 46,404 | $78,647 | $2,059 | $389,900 | 31.4% |
| 248 | Lakewood | 81,106 | $84,055 | $2,200 | $475,800 | 31.4% |
| 249 | Moorpark | 36,060 | $102,145 | $2,662 | $592,500 | 31.3% |
| 250 | Roseville | 130,705 | $81,119 | $2,110 | $386,300 | 31.2% |
| 251 | Newark | 45,554 | $96,817 | $2,516 | $607,200 | 31.2% |
| 252 | Windsor town | 27,423 | $91,032 | $2,357 | $504,500 | 31.1% |
| 253 | Milpitas | 75,498 | $110,752 | $2,860 | $704,300 | 31.0% |
| 254 | Hanford | 55,599 | $55,327 | $1,425 | $192,900 | 30.9% |
| 255 | Cerritos | 50,145 | $98,953 | $2,548 | $638,600 | 30.9% |
| 256 | Lafayette | 25,792 | $152,609 | $3,921 | $1,214,200 | 30.8% |
| 257 | La Mirada | 49,162 | $87,400 | $2,242 | $478,400 | 30.8% |
| 258 | Sunnyvale | 151,565 | $118,314 | $3,035 | $968,700 | 30.8% |
| 259 | San Carlos | 29,954 | $152,521 | $3,904 | $1,240,800 | 30.7% |
| 260 | Rocklin | 61,697 | $91,995 | $2,351 | $421,700 | 30.7% |
| 261 | Livermore | 88,232 | $109,084 | $2,784 | $643,200 | 30.6% |
| 262 | Ladera Ranch | 28,769 | $152,923 | $3,892 | $803,400 | 30.5% |
| 263 | Yorba Linda | 67,740 | $123,962 | $3,153 | $792,700 | 30.5% |
| 264 | Aliso Viejo | 50,691 | $106,353 | $2,699 | $582,300 | 30.5% |
| 265 | Tracy | 87,613 | $84,162 | $2,135 | $378,900 | 30.4% |
| 266 | Diamond Bar | 56,600 | $94,531 | $2,397 | $614,800 | 30.4% |
| 267 | Valinda | 25,080 | $72,255 | $1,825 | $385,900 | 30.3% |
| 268 | Temecula | 110,722 | $87,115 | $2,190 | $394,600 | 30.2% |
| 269 | Lake Forest | 81,812 | $96,963 | $2,437 | $585,100 | 30.2% |
| 270 | San Ramon | 75,048 | $142,718 | $3,572 | $863,800 | 30.0% |
| 271 | Eastvale | 59,733 | $110,685 | $2,767 | $496,000 | 30.0% |
| 272 | North Tustin | 25,364 | $134,519 | $3,362 | $871,600 | 30.0% |
| 273 | Galt | 25,222 | $68,908 | $1,707 | $270,300 | 29.7% |
| 274 | Orcutt | 30,001 | $79,237 | $1,960 | $367,500 | 29.7% |
| 275 | Pleasant Hill | 34,662 | $101,530 | $2,507 | $633,400 | 29.6% |
| 276 | Orangevale | 34,467 | $75,208 | $1,855 | $331,400 | 29.6% |
| 277 | Cupertino | 60,687 | $153,449 | $3,760 | $1,372,800 | 29.4% |
| 278 | Foster | 33,529 | $136,383 | $3,338 | $1,051,000 | 29.4% |
| 279 | San Lorenzo | 25,101 | $89,961 | $2,183 | $476,600 | 29.1% |
| 280 | Martinez | 37,902 | $98,102 | $2,377 | $505,400 | 29.1% |
| 281 | Chino Hills | 78,025 | $102,746 | $2,489 | $567,200 | 29.1% |
| 282 | Mission Viejo | 96,535 | $107,988 | $2,596 | $640,800 | 28.8% |
| 283 | Elk Grove | 166,228 | $85,556 | $2,056 | $349,500 | 28.8% |
| 284 | Suisun | 29,280 | $75,195 | $1,806 | $293,100 | 28.8% |
| 285 | Benicia | 28,011 | $95,225 | $2,284 | $515,800 | 28.8% |
| 286 | Temescal Valley | 25,411 | $96,956 | $2,317 | $396,200 | 28.7% |
| 287 | Dublin | 57,022 | $138,007 | $3,294 | $756,800 | 28.6% |
| 288 | Pleasanton | 79,341 | $138,269 | $3,287 | $879,800 | 28.5% |
| 289 | Antelope | 47,728 | $70,840 | $1,682 | $275,000 | 28.5% |
| 290 | Danville town | 44,205 | $152,798 | $3,602 | $976,800 | 28.3% |
| 291 | Fremont | 230,964 | $122,191 | $2,869 | $785,700 | 28.2% |
| 292 | El Dorado Hills | 45,104 | $126,520 | $2,931 | $575,200 | 27.8% |
| 293 | Saratoga | 31,013 | $173,136 | $4,001 | $1,933,900 | 27.7% |
| 294 | Vineyard | 27,585 | $83,313 | $1,920 | $343,900 | 27.7% |
| 295 | Hercules | 25,260 | $107,221 | $2,448 | $457,300 | 27.4% |
| 296 | Oakley | 39,950 | $89,392 | $2,033 | $356,000 | 27.3% |
| 297 | French Valley | 31,353 | $104,560 | $2,363 | $377,900 | 27.1% |
| 298 | Ridgecrest | 28,728 | $60,794 | $1,352 | $169,500 | 26.7% |
| 299 | Folsom | 75,897 | $106,718 | $2,371 | $456,600 | 26.7% |
| 300 | Los Altos | 30,527 | $208,309 | $4,001 | $2,000,001 | 23.0% |
Methodology
To find the least and most affordable cities in California we turned to the 2017 American Community Survey. We pulled data from the Housing survey as well as the Economic survey to get a fuller picture on home owner affordability in every CDP in California. We then filtered for only CDPs with greater than 25,000 people. To get the affordability margin we took the median monthly housing costs which include mortgage, insurance and tax costs and multiplied by 12. We then divided that amount by the median income for each CDP.