Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers in California (2026 Rankings)
Buying your first home is a big step. We ranked 25 neighborhoods in California by affordability index to help first-time buyers find areas where homeownership is within reach. Scores above 100 mean housing is more affordable than average.
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $420,700
Median Income: $98,554
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $981,600
Median Income: $97,818
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $1,280,300
Median Income: $104,716
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
4
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $300,600
Median Income: $65,746
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
5
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $216,200
Median Income: $50,026
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
6
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $684,100
Median Income: $107,725
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
7
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $479,800
Median Income: $64,673
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
8
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $570,800
Median Income: $97,417
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
9
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $269,300
Median Income: $52,012
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
10
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $316,600
Median Income: $75,658
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
11
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $421,400
Median Income: $82,637
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
12
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $2,000,001
Median Income: $250,001
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
13
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $1,213,000
Median Income: $145,938
Homeownership: 30.0%
14
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $1,231,500
Median Income: $169,023
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
15
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $506,600
Median Income: $93,230
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
16
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $2,000,001
Median Income: $202,986
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
17
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $992,000
Median Income: $81,219
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
18
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $560,500
Median Income: $115,864
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
19
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $661,700
Median Income: $92,604
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
20
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $513,000
Median Income: $78,070
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
21
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $775,700
Median Income: $105,371
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
22
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $624,200
Median Income: $103,727
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
23
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $434,100
Median Income: $49,855
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
24
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $596,700
Median Income: $112,265
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
25
Affordability Index: 140
Home Value: $582,400
Median Income: $64,119
Property Tax: $1,120/yr
Homeownership: 30.0%
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