California Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 58 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,618/mo
Average Home Value
$569,022
Average Owner Cost
$1,822/mo
At a Glance
Housing Costs in California: An Overview
The median rent in California is $1,618 per month, which is 39% above the national median of $1,163. This places the state among the more expensive places to lease a home in the country.
Within California, housing costs vary significantly by county. San Mateo County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $2,893 per month and a median home value of $1,494,500. At the other end of the spectrum, Modoc County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $818 per month and homes valued at a median of $212,000.
The average home value across California counties is $569,022, 102% higher than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $87,001, many residents find homeownership a stretch.
Before moving to California, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in California
How median rents are spread across 57 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
All California Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo County | Expensive$2,893/mo | $1,494,500 | $3,278/mo | 29.0% |
| Santa Clara County | Expensive$2,814/mo | $1,382,800 | $3,233/mo | 27.0% |
| Marin County | Expensive$2,584/mo | $1,390,000 | $3,583/mo | 32.0% |
| San Francisco County | Expensive$2,419/mo | $1,380,500 | $3,200/mo | 24.0% |
| Orange County | Expensive$2,352/mo | $915,500 | $2,556/mo | 33.0% |
| Contra Costa County | Expensive$2,322/mo | $830,800 | $2,675/mo | 32.0% |
| Alameda County | Expensive$2,318/mo | $1,057,400 | $2,899/mo | 29.0% |
| Ventura County | Expensive$2,248/mo | $768,400 | $2,410/mo | 34.0% |
| Santa Cruz County | Expensive$2,172/mo | $1,015,200 | $2,413/mo | 30.0% |
| San Diego County | Expensive$2,154/mo | $791,600 | $2,484/mo | 33.0% |
| Napa County | Expensive$2,141/mo | $838,800 | $2,258/mo | 31.0% |
| Sonoma County | Expensive$2,093/mo | $779,000 | $2,304/mo | 32.0% |
| Solano County | Expensive$2,088/mo | $589,600 | $2,202/mo | 33.0% |
| Santa Barbara County | Expensive$2,050/mo | $735,700 | $2,094/mo | 33.0% |
| Monterey County | Expensive$1,995/mo | $723,100 | $2,087/mo | 32.0% |
| Placer County | Expensive$1,991/mo | $658,800 | $2,326/mo | 33.0% |
| San Benito County | Expensive$1,922/mo | $751,500 | $2,738/mo | 29.0% |
| San Luis Obispo County | Expensive$1,899/mo | $777,200 | $2,048/mo | 33.0% |
| Los Angeles County | Expensive$1,893/mo | $783,300 | $2,390/mo | 33.0% |
| Riverside County | Expensive$1,814/mo | $510,300 | $1,972/mo | 34.0% |
| Yolo County | Expensive$1,757/mo | $593,800 | $1,966/mo | 33.0% |
| San Bernardino County | Expensive$1,706/mo | $475,000 | $1,791/mo | 34.0% |
| Sacramento County | Expensive$1,702/mo | $498,900 | $1,869/mo | 32.0% |
| Nevada County | Expensive$1,635/mo | $602,800 | $2,001/mo | 35.0% |
| San Joaquin County | Expensive$1,633/mo | $494,500 | $1,891/mo | 31.0% |
| El Dorado County | Expensive$1,626/mo | $640,500 | $2,190/mo | 33.0% |
| Calaveras County | Expensive$1,615/mo | $441,800 | $1,590/mo | 33.0% |
| Mono County | Expensive$1,593/mo | $514,300 | $2,141/mo | 26.0% |
| Stanislaus County | Expensive$1,528/mo | $426,600 | $1,625/mo | 31.0% |
| Amador County | Moderate$1,380/mo | $422,800 | $1,515/mo | 29.0% |
| Butte County | Moderate$1,369/mo | $408,700 | $1,401/mo | 35.0% |
| Sutter County | Moderate$1,364/mo | $399,400 | $1,463/mo | 31.0% |
| Mendocino County | Moderate$1,325/mo | $486,000 | $1,304/mo | 32.0% |
| Madera County | Moderate$1,307/mo | $367,700 | $1,530/mo | 32.0% |
| Fresno County | Moderate$1,300/mo | $362,600 | $1,548/mo | 32.0% |
| Lake County | Moderate$1,292/mo | $316,800 | $1,183/mo | 33.0% |
| Merced County | Moderate$1,284/mo | $368,400 | $1,392/mo | 30.0% |
| Mariposa County | Moderate$1,268/mo | $358,000 | $1,326/mo | 29.0% |
| Shasta County | Moderate$1,267/mo | $347,200 | $1,399/mo | 30.0% |
| Humboldt County | Moderate$1,249/mo | $418,800 | $1,277/mo | 36.0% |
| Tuolumne County | Moderate$1,247/mo | $406,200 | $1,628/mo | 34.0% |
| Kings County | Moderate$1,228/mo | $305,700 | $1,460/mo | 29.0% |
| Kern County | Moderate$1,220/mo | $310,600 | $1,453/mo | 33.0% |
| Yuba County | Moderate$1,209/mo | $380,000 | $1,651/mo | 31.0% |
| Tulare County | Moderate$1,206/mo | $303,000 | $1,383/mo | 29.0% |
| Del Norte County | Moderate$1,182/mo | $319,600 | $889/mo | 30.0% |
| Sierra County | Moderate$1,181/mo | $334,100 | $1,373/mo | 28.0% |
| Tehama County | Moderate$1,159/mo | $315,600 | $1,218/mo | 31.0% |
| Inyo County | Moderate$1,140/mo | $338,400 | $1,013/mo | 22.0% |
| Colusa County | Moderate$1,139/mo | $375,100 | $1,276/mo | 27.0% |
| Glenn County | Moderate$1,103/mo | $338,400 | $1,288/mo | 27.0% |
| Lassen County | Moderate$1,043/mo | $259,500 | $1,138/mo | 26.0% |
| Siskiyou County | Moderate$1,043/mo | $284,500 | $866/mo | 34.0% |
| Plumas County | Moderate$1,034/mo | $327,400 | $1,172/mo | 24.0% |
| Imperial County | Moderate$1,012/mo | $279,500 | $1,224/mo | 31.0% |
| Trinity County | Affordable$922/mo | $329,000 | $683/mo | 23.0% |
| Modoc County | Affordable$818/mo | $212,000 | $659/mo | 33.0% |
| Alpine County | N/A | $466,100 | $1,753/mo | 20.0% |
Compare California to Other States
See how California counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About California Housing Costs
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How does California's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in California?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.