California affords a number of the most numerous landscapes. From the majestic mountains in Yosemite and Sequoia Nationwide Parks to deserts like Joshua Tree and Dying Valley, 840 miles of shoreline with beautiful seashores, and rather more, there’s at all times one thing to see within the Golden State. With bustling cities, small cities, beachside paradises, and mountain escapes, there are one million causes to stay in California.
If you happen to’ve been contemplating transferring to California or are hoping to relocate to a brand new metropolis, you additionally in all probability have a funds you’d like to remain underneath as you search for a spot to stay. As of April, the median residence sale worth in California is $835,500 and the common sale worth per sq. foot is $483.
If that worth doesn’t match into your funds, don’t fear. Redfin has collected 14 of essentially the most reasonably priced locations to stay in California. From Fresno to Lancaster, let’s bounce in and see what cities are on the record.
#1: Porterville
Median residence worth: $345,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $254 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $850Median family earnings: $44,095 Nearest main metro: Visalia (15 miles)Porterville, CA houses for salePorterville, CA flats for lease
With a median residence sale worth of $355,000, Porterville takes the primary spot on our record of reasonably priced locations to stay in California. When residing on this metropolis of 62,600 folks, you’ll be able to take a look at Murry Park and go to the downtown space the place you’ll discover plenty of native retailers and eating places. Or spend the day at Lake Success the place you’ll be able to camp and take within the views at Vista Level.
#2: Tulare (tie)
Median residence worth: $380,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $217Median family earnings: $56,024 Nearest main metro: Fresno (45 miles)Tulare, CA houses for saleTulare, CA flats for lease
Second on our record of reasonably priced cities to stay in California is Tulare. About 45 miles south of Fresno, the closest main metro, Tulare is residence to roughly 68,900 residents. If you happen to’re contemplating transferring to this space, be certain to go to the Tulare Historic Museum, take a look at one of many parks on the town, and discover the charming downtown.
#2: Madera (tie)
Median residence worth: $380,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $240Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,300Median family earnings: $49,335 Nearest main metro: Fresno (20 miles)Madera, CA houses for saleMadera, CA flats for lease
Tying for the second spot on our record of reasonably priced locations to stay in California is Madera. With a inhabitants of roughly 66,200, residing in Madera is a good possibility for these on the lookout for a mid-sized metropolis to stay in that’s centrally positioned within the coronary heart of the state. Don’t miss out on trying out Lions City & Nation Park, visiting the downtown space, or taking a day journey to Yosemite as soon as transferring right here.
#4: Fresno
Median residence worth: $414,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $242Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,480Median family earnings: $44,095 Fresno, CA houses for saleFresno, CA flats for lease
Solely barely costlier than Madera is town of Fresno. There are a number of prime points of interest you could need to take a look at in the event you’re transferring to Fresno. Be certain that to discover the Tower District and see a live performance at Strummers or take a look at the occasions at Save Mart Heart and Saroyan Theatre. You can too go to the Gibson Farm Market at Fresno State College the place you’ll discover native produce like corn and grapes throughout the summer time months and spend the day exploring the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
>> Learn: Well-liked Fresno, CA, Neighborhoods to Stay in
#5: Yuba Metropolis
Median residence worth: $417,500 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $256 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,350Median family earnings: $60,910 Nearest main metro: Sacramento (40 miles)Yuba Metropolis, CA houses for saleYuba Metropolis, CA flats for lease
About 70,100 folks reside in Yuba Metropolis, a suburb of Sacramento. The median residence sale worth is $417,500 which is about $415K lower than the median residence sale worth in California. Be certain that to go to the downtown space, stroll alongside the Feather River Parkway, and take a look at the occasions at Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in the event you transfer to the eighth most reasonably priced metropolis.
#6: Bakersfield
Median residence worth: $420,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $236Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,460Median family earnings: $65,687 Bakersfield, CA houses for saleBakersfield, CA flats for lease
One other well-known metropolis is Bakersfield, the place the median residence sale worth is about $410K lower than the state’s common. With roughly 403,500 folks calling Bakersfield residence, it’s an awesome space to contemplate residing on this 12 months. Whether or not you go to The Park at River Stroll alongside the Kern River the place you’ll discover trails and an amphitheater or discover downtown Bakersfield residence to retailers, eating places, and venues like The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, there are a lot of actions to do and see on this metropolis. You can too take a look at museums like Buena Vista Museum of Pure Historical past & Science and Bakersfield Museum of Artwork, or uncover the numerous Bakersfield neighborhoods that make town distinctive.
>> Learn: Well-liked Bakersfield, CA, Neighborhoods to Stay in
#7: Visalia
Median residence worth: $421,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $242Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,778Median family earnings: $44,095 Nearest main metro: Fresno (43 miles)Visalia, CA houses for saleVisalia, CA flats for lease
The seventh most reasonably priced place in California to contemplate transferring to is Visalia, which is 43 miles south of Fresno. Residence to 141,400 residents, this reasonably priced city is usually a nice possibility so as to add to your record. In Visalia, you’ll be able to see a live performance on the Visalia Fox Theatre, discover the charming downtown, and go to one of many parks or golf programs on the town.
#8: Merced
Median residence worth: $422,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $255 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,575Median family earnings: $49,973 Nearest main metro: Modesto (70 miles)Merced, CA houses for saleMerced, CA flats for lease
If you happen to’ve lived in California for some time, chances are high of Merced. This reasonably priced metropolis is residence to roughly 86,300 residents, positioned roughly midway between Modesto and Fresno. Make sure you benefit from the Merced County Honest throughout the summer time, go to Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo, and take a look at downtown Merced as soon as residing right here.
#9: Stockton
Median residence worth: $435,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $278Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,299 Median family earnings: $58,393 Nearest main metro: Sacramento (50 miles)Stockton, CA houses for saleStockton, CA flats for lease
Subsequent up on our record is Stockton, a preferred metropolis positioned within the north Central Valley. This metropolis has a inhabitants of 320,800 and you may see an occasion at Stockton Enviornment or the Bob Hope Theatre, discover Buckley Cove Park, and take a look at the downtown space the place you’ll discover retailers and museums. There’s loads to do on a day or weekend whereas residing in Stockton.
#10: Modesto
Median residence worth: $458,000 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $304Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,535 Median family earnings: $62,182 Nearest main metro: Stockton (30 miles)Modesto, CA houses for saleModesto, CA flats for lease
One other excellent spot to contemplate residing in California is Modesto the place the inhabitants is about 218,500. Well-liked issues to do in Modesto embrace trying out the native produce and distributors at Modesto Licensed Farmers Market, strolling via downtown Modesto, exploring the McHenry Museum which dates again to 1912, and discovering the Tuolumne River Regional Park.
#11: Lancaster
Median residence worth: $465,000 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $262Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,750Median family earnings: $71,367Nearest main metro: Los Angeles (68 miles)Lancaster, CA houses on the market Lancaster, CA flats for lease
The eleventh metropolis to make our record is Lancaster, positioned in Southern California. Residence to 57,400 residents, it’s an awesome reasonably priced possibility if you wish to stay close to main cities like Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. In Lancaster, you’ll be able to take a look at the scenic Prime Desert Woodland Protect, go to the Blackbird Airpark, or benefit from the beautiful poppy shows every spring at Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve.
#12: Citrus Heights
Median residence worth: $475,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $319Average lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,632 Median family earnings: $65,867 Nearest main metro: Sacramento (15 miles)Citrus Heights, CA houses for saleCitrus Heights, CA flats for lease
With a median residence sale worth of $475,000, Citrus Heights takes the following spot on our record of most reasonably priced locations to stay in California. There are about 87,600 folks residing on this metropolis, giving Citrus Heights a city-like really feel with out the hustle and bustle of close by Sacramento. If Citrus Heights is town for you, make sure to take a look at inexperienced areas like Rusch Neighborhood Park and Tempo Park, and have a meal at one of many native eating places.
#13: Sacramento
Median residence worth: $487,500 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $339 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,949 Median family earnings: $65,847 Sacramento, CA houses for saleSacramento, CA flats for lease
Town of Sacramento is one other superior reasonably priced metropolis to contemplate residing in. With a median residence sale worth of $487,500 and a inhabitants of 524,900, there are many causes which may persuade you to maneuver to Sacramento. You’ll discover plenty of actions to do as nicely, resembling visiting the California State Capitol constructing and discovering museums like Crocker Artwork Museum and California State Railroad Museum.
You may see a live performance at Ace of Spades or Golden 1 Heart or take a look at historic websites like Previous Sacramento State Historic Park and Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. Don’t miss out on exploring the Previous Sacramento Waterfront with retailers, eating places, and historical past excursions.
>> Learn: Well-liked Sacramento, CA, Neighborhoods to Stay in
#14: Clovis
Median residence worth: $523,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $269 Common lease for a 1-bedroom condominium: $1,491 Median family earnings: $84,119 Nearest main metro: Fresno (9 miles)Clovis, CA houses for saleClovis, CA flats for lease
The 14th and ultimate metropolis is Clovis the place the median residence sale worth is $490,000. A suburb of Fresno, Clovis has a small-town really feel with views of the close by mountains. There’s loads to do in Clovis like exploring the charming Previous City Clovis space the place you’ll discover a farmers market, native retailers, and stellar eating places. You can too benefit from the iconic Clovis Rodeo every April and go to the Clovis Botanical Backyard on a sunny day.
Methodology: All cities should have over 60,000 residents per the US Census and the common sale worth per sq. foot have to be underneath the common sale worth per sq. foot in California. Median residence sale worth and median sale worth per sq. foot from the Redfin Knowledge Heart throughout April 2025. Common rental information from Lease.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family earnings information sourced from the USA Census Bureau.
