California Housing & Home Seller Report 2026
Current California housing data, regional comparisons and practical insights to help homeowners understand prices, inventory, market speed and selling conditions.
Updated September 25, 2026
Updated September 25, 2026. The California Housing & Home Seller Report from Cash Home Buyers CA combines current resale-market data with California population and housing-supply data to help homeowners understand prices, sales activity, inventory, market speed and major regional differences. This report is designed as a living research resource and will be updated as new statewide data becomes available.
Quick answer: California remains an expensive housing market, but high prices do not mean every seller has strong pricing power. In August 2026, the statewide median existing single-family home price was $901,420, only 0.1% above a year earlier. Homes sold in a median 28 days, while the Unsold Inventory Index rose to 3.7 months. The data points to a market where demand remains present but buyers are increasingly selective.
California housing market at a glance
| Measure | August 2026 | Change / context |
|---|---|---|
| Median single-family home price | $901,420 | +1.6% MoM; +0.1% YoY |
| Existing single-family sales pace | 269,620 | Seasonally adjusted annualized rate; +1.4% YoY |
| Median time on market | 28 days | 31 days in August 2025 |
| Unsold Inventory Index | 3.7 months | 3.4 in July; 3.9 a year earlier |
| Sales-price-to-original-list-price ratio | 98.9% | 98.3% in August 2025 |
| Median price per square foot | $428 | $427 a year earlier |
Source: California Association of REALTORS® August 2026 resale housing report. Figures cover existing single-family detached homes unless otherwise noted.
What the statewide numbers actually tell sellers
California’s $901,420 median is high in absolute terms, but the year-over-year increase was just 0.1%. That distinction matters: a high median price does not necessarily mean home values are rapidly appreciating or that every seller can command a premium. C.A.R. also reported that sales remained below the 300,000 annualized-unit benchmark for the 47th consecutive month.
Inventory presents a similarly nuanced picture. The statewide Unsold Inventory Index increased to 3.7 months even though active listings were down 6.2% year over year. In practical terms, fewer homes were listed than a year earlier, but the available supply was taking longer to clear relative to the pace of sales. That is consistent with a market in which buyers still participate but are more selective about price, condition and financing.
California regional market comparison
| Region | Aug. 2026 median price | YoY price change | YoY sales change | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $901,420 | +0.1% | +1.4% | 28 |
| Los Angeles Metro | $850,000 | +1.2% | -3.8% | 32 |
| Central Coast | $1,075,000 | -2.3% | -3.2% | 24 |
| Central Valley | $500,000 | +1.0% | +1.5% | 27 |
| Inland Empire | $600,000 | 0.0% | -8.4% | 39 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | $1,272,000 | -0.2% | -4.2% | 22 |
The regional spread is substantial. The Central Coast median was more than twice the Central Valley median, while the Inland Empire recorded flat year-over-year pricing and an 8.4% decline in sales. These differences are why statewide statistics should be treated as context rather than a substitute for local comparable sales.
Southern California county snapshot
| County | Aug. 2026 median price | YoY price change | YoY sales change | Inventory (months) | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $946,950 | +1.7% | +2.1% | — | — |
| Orange | $1,452,500 | +4.9% | -3.4% | 3.1 | 27 |
| Riverside | $632,990 | +1.3% | -5.9% | 4.0 | 40 |
| San Bernardino | $522,370 | +4.2% | -9.3% | 5.4 | 35.5 |
| San Diego | $1,090,000 | +6.3% | -8.4% | 3.1 | 19 |
| Ventura | $925,000 | -1.3% | -11.9% | 3.9 | 37 |
Our analysis: the largest practical contrast in this Southern California snapshot is not simply price; it is the combination of sales pace and available supply. San Bernardino had 5.4 months of inventory while Orange and San Diego each had 3.1 months. Riverside’s median marketing time was 40 days compared with 19 days in San Diego. For sellers, that means the amount of competition and expected exposure time can differ sharply even within the same broad Southern California economy.
Explore our local seller resources for Los Angeles County, Orange County and Riverside.
Six findings from the August 2026 data
1. California prices are high, but statewide appreciation is nearly flat
The statewide median increased only 0.1% from August 2025. Sellers should distinguish between a high price level and rapid appreciation. The statewide median can also change because the mix of homes sold changes, so it should not be interpreted as the change in value of an identical property.
2. Buyer selectivity is showing up in inventory
The Unsold Inventory Index increased 8.8% from July to 3.7 months while active listings declined both month over month and year over year. This combination suggests that the pace of demand weakened relative to available supply.
3. Most California homes are not selling above their original asking price
The statewide sales-price-to-original-list-price ratio was 98.9%. As a simple illustration, 98.9% of a $900,000 original asking price is about $890,100. This is not a prediction for any individual property, but it shows why initial pricing still matters.
4. Southern California is not one market
August county medians ranged from $522,370 in San Bernardino to $1,452,500 in Orange County among the six Southern California counties shown above. Inventory and time on market also varied significantly. Local conditions should therefore drive pricing decisions.
5. Sales volume can weaken even while prices rise
San Diego’s median price was up 6.3% year over year while sales were down 8.4%. Orange County’s median rose 4.9% while sales fell 3.4%. Price direction alone does not tell a seller how liquid a market is.
6. Smaller-county percentage swings require caution
C.A.R. reported very large annual price and sales changes in several smaller counties and cautioned that low transaction volumes can magnify percentage changes. We therefore avoid treating a single month’s extreme percentage move as evidence of a broad change in property values.
California housing supply: where housing-unit growth is strongest
The California Department of Finance’s May 2026 estimates provide a separate view of housing supply. Among the state’s fastest-growing counties by housing-unit growth from January 2025 to January 2026 were Yuba (+2.3%), Madera (+2.1%), Del Norte (+2.0%), Placer (+1.9%), Sacramento (+1.6%), San Joaquin (+1.4%), Riverside (+1.2%), Santa Clara (+1.2%) and Yolo (+1.2%).
Riverside is especially notable for Southern California: the state estimated 904,277 housing units as of January 1, 2026, up 1.2% from a year earlier, while its population increased 0.4% to approximately 2.51 million. This does not by itself predict home prices, but it provides useful supply context alongside resale-market inventory.
California’s largest housing markets serve very different populations
California Department of Finance estimates put Los Angeles County at approximately 9.84 million residents on January 1, 2026, followed by San Diego at 3.34 million, Orange at 3.16 million, Riverside at 2.51 million and San Bernardino at 2.22 million. Population trends also differed: Los Angeles was estimated down 0.6% year over year, Orange down 0.4%, Riverside up 0.4%, and San Diego and San Bernardino each up 0.1%.
Population change is not a short-term home-price forecast. It is one component of long-run housing demand and should be interpreted alongside employment, construction, mortgage rates, household formation and available inventory.
What the data means for homeowners considering an as-is sale
A homeowner deciding between a conventional listing and an as-is sale should compare net proceeds, time, property condition and execution risk, not just the headline sale price. A conventional listing may produce a higher gross price for many market-ready homes. An as-is transaction may be more relevant when a property requires substantial repairs, has deferred maintenance, is occupied, inherited, vacant, or when the seller prioritizes a simpler timeline.
For homeowners evaluating a faster sale, see our statewide guide to selling a house fast in California. Cash Home Buyers CA also provides direct purchase options for qualifying properties, but this report is intended to help sellers understand the broader market rather than to suggest that a cash sale is the best choice for every homeowner.
How to use this report when pricing a California home
- Start local. Use county and neighborhood comparable sales rather than relying on the statewide median.
- Separate price from liquidity. Rising prices can coexist with falling transaction volume.
- Account for condition. Renovated comparable homes may not be appropriate benchmarks for a property requiring major work without adjustments.
- Watch inventory and days on market. These indicators help show how much competition sellers face.
- Compare net outcomes. Consider repairs, commissions, concessions, holding costs, closing costs and timing when comparing sale methods.
Methodology and limitations
Market data. Current resale-market figures are compiled from the California Association of REALTORS® August 2026 Home Sales and Price Report, released September 16, 2026. C.A.R. states that county MLS median-price and sales tables are generated from a survey of more than 90 REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide and represent existing single-family detached homes. Statewide sales are seasonally adjusted; county sales are not.
Population and housing data. Population and housing-supply figures are based on the California Department of Finance E-1 and E-5 estimates published in May 2026. The Department describes its January 1, 2026 figures as provisional and uses administrative records, local-jurisdiction housing-unit change data, Census benchmarks and American Community Survey information in its estimation methods.
Our calculations. Where this report describes a difference, ratio or ranking derived from source figures, Cash Home Buyers CA performs the calculation from the cited source data. We do not treat median-price changes as appreciation of an identical home, and we do not label properties distressed or fixer-uppers solely because of age or market statistics.
Limitations. Housing markets can change quickly. County-level statistics can mask neighborhood differences, and low transaction volumes can produce volatile percentages. This report is informational and is not an appraisal, comparative market analysis, legal advice, tax advice or financial advice.
Primary sources
Census reference: U.S. Census Bureau / American Community Survey provides the Census and ACS benchmarks referenced in the population and housing methodology.
- California Association of REALTORS® — August 2026 Home Sales and Price Report
- California Department of Finance — E-1 Population and Housing Estimates, 2025–2026
- California Department of Finance — E-5 Population and Housing Estimates, 2020–2026
California Home Seller Guide
Market statistics are most useful when they help a homeowner make a practical decision. Before choosing how to sell, California homeowners should compare the likely net proceeds, preparation required, timing, and certainty of each option.
- Estimate the property’s current as-is value. Start with recent local comparable sales and adjust for condition, location, size, occupancy and major repairs rather than relying on a statewide median.
- Identify repair and preparation costs. Roofing, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, water damage and deferred maintenance can affect both buyer demand and financing.
- Compare selling routes. A conventional listing may maximize exposure and gross price for a market-ready home. An as-is or direct cash sale may reduce preparation, showings and financing uncertainty for some sellers.
- Calculate net proceeds. Compare expected price after commissions, concessions, repairs, carrying costs, closing costs and other transaction expenses.
- Verify property-specific issues. Existing tenants, probate, trusts, liens, foreclosure deadlines, permits and title issues can change the timeline and documentation required.
For more detail, see our California home-selling guide, explore where we buy houses in California, or learn how our cash-offer process works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to common questions California homeowners may have when using this report.
Is the California housing market rising or falling in 2026?+
Statewide conditions are mixed rather than uniformly rising or falling. In August 2026, California’s median existing single-family home price was 0.1% higher than a year earlier, while sales, inventory and price trends varied materially by county and region.
How long are California homes taking to sell?+
The statewide median time on market was 28 days in August 2026. That is the marketing period before a sale is agreed and is not the same as the full timeline from listing through escrow and closing.
Does the statewide median price tell me what my house is worth?+
No. The statewide median is useful market context, but an individual property’s value depends on recent local comparable sales, neighborhood, size, condition, lot, improvements, occupancy and other property-specific factors.
Is it better to list a California home or sell it as-is?+
There is no single best route for every seller. A market-ready home may benefit from broad listing exposure, while a property needing major repairs or involving a difficult timeline may make an as-is sale worth comparing. Sellers should compare expected net proceeds and timing under both scenarios.
Which California markets had the most inventory in this report?+
Among the Southern California counties shown, San Bernardino had the highest reported inventory at 5.4 months in August 2026, followed by Riverside at 4.0 months and Ventura at 3.9 months. Inventory can change monthly and varies within counties.
How often will this report be updated?+
Cash Home Buyers CA intends to update this research as new statewide and regional housing data becomes available, while preserving the methodology and source links so readers can distinguish current statistics from historical comparisons.
Seller Resources & Guides
Continue your research with practical guides for common California selling situations:
- Selling an inherited property in California
- Selling a house in foreclosure
- Selling a rental property
- Selling a house during divorce
- Selling due to relocation
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About this research
This report is produced by Cash Home Buyers CA as part of our California housing research initiative. Our goal is to turn primary housing-market and public data into practical information for California homeowners. Future editions will expand county comparisons and track changes over time rather than relying on one-month snapshots.
Last reviewed September 25, 2026. Market statistics are snapshots and individual property outcomes vary.