14 Most Inexpensive Locations to Dwell in California in 2025

California affords a number of the most various landscapes. From the majestic mountains in Yosemite and Sequoia Nationwide Parks to deserts like Joshua Tree and Demise Valley, 840 miles of shoreline with beautiful seashores, and far more, there’s all the time 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. 

When you’ve been contemplating shifting to California or are hoping to relocate to a brand new metropolis, you additionally most likely have a price range you’d like to remain beneath as you search for a spot to stay. As of April, the median dwelling sale worth in California is $835,500 and the typical sale worth per sq. foot is $483.

If that worth doesn’t match into your price range, don’t fear. Redfin has collected 14 of probably the most inexpensive locations to stay in California. From Fresno to Lancaster, let’s bounce in and see what cities are on the checklist.

#1: Porterville

Median dwelling worth: $345,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $254 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $850Median family earnings: $44,095 Nearest main metro: Visalia (15 miles)Porterville, CA properties for salePorterville, CA flats for lease

With a median dwelling sale worth of $355,000, Porterville takes the primary spot on our checklist of inexpensive locations to stay in California. When residing on this metropolis of 62,600 folks, you’ll be able to try Murry Park and go to the downtown space the place you’ll discover a number of native outlets 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 dwelling worth: $380,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $217Median family earnings: $56,024 Nearest main metro: Fresno (45 miles)Tulare, CA properties for saleTulare, CA flats for lease

Second on our checklist of inexpensive cities to stay in California is Tulare. About 45 miles south of Fresno, the closest main metro, Tulare is dwelling to roughly 68,900 residents. When you’re contemplating shifting to this space, be sure to go to the Tulare Historic Museum, try one of many parks on the town, and discover the charming downtown.

#2: Madera (tie)

Median dwelling worth: $380,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $240Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,300Median family earnings: $49,335 Nearest main metro: Fresno (20 miles)Madera, CA properties for saleMadera, CA flats for lease

Tying for the second spot on our checklist of inexpensive locations to stay in California is Madera. With a inhabitants of roughly 66,200, residing in Madera is a superb choice for these in search of a mid-sized metropolis to stay in that’s centrally situated within the coronary heart of the state. Don’t miss out on testing Lions City & Nation Park, visiting the downtown space, or taking a day journey to Yosemite as soon as shifting right here.

#4: Fresno

Median dwelling worth: $414,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $242Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,480Median family earnings: $44,095 Fresno, CA properties for saleFresno, CA flats for lease

Solely barely dearer than Madera is the town of Fresno. There are a number of high sights you might wish to try for those who’re shifting to Fresno. Be sure that to discover the Tower District and see a live performance at Strummers or try the occasions at Save Mart Heart and Saroyan Theatre. You can even go to the Gibson Farm Market at Fresno State College the place you’ll discover native produce like corn and grapes through the summer season months and spend the day exploring the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

>> Learn: Fashionable Fresno, CA, Neighborhoods to Dwell in

#5: Yuba Metropolis

Median dwelling worth: $417,500 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $256 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,350Median family earnings: $60,910 Nearest main metro: Sacramento (40 miles)Yuba Metropolis, CA properties for saleYuba Metropolis, CA flats for lease

About 70,100 folks reside in Yuba Metropolis, a suburb of Sacramento. The median dwelling sale worth is $417,500 which is about $415K lower than the median dwelling sale worth in California. Be sure that to go to the downtown space, stroll alongside the Feather River Parkway, and take a look at the occasions at Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds for those who transfer to the eighth most inexpensive metropolis.

#6: Bakersfield

Median dwelling worth: $420,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $236Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,460Median family earnings: $65,687 Bakersfield, CA properties for saleBakersfield, CA flats for lease

One other well-known metropolis is Bakersfield, the place the median dwelling sale worth is about $410K lower than the state’s common. With roughly 403,500 folks calling Bakersfield dwelling, it’s a fantastic 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 dwelling to outlets, eating places, and venues like The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, there are numerous actions to do and see on this metropolis. You can even try museums like Buena Vista Museum of Pure Historical past & Science and Bakersfield Museum of Artwork, or uncover the various Bakersfield neighborhoods that make the town distinctive.

>> Learn: Fashionable Bakersfield, CA, Neighborhoods to Dwell in 

#7: Visalia

Median dwelling worth: $421,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $242Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,778Median family earnings: $44,095 Nearest main metro: Fresno (43 miles)Visalia, CA properties for saleVisalia, CA flats for lease

The seventh most inexpensive place in California to contemplate shifting to is Visalia, which is 43 miles south of Fresno. Dwelling to 141,400 residents, this inexpensive city could be a nice choice so as to add to your checklist. 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 dwelling worth: $422,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $255 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,575Median family earnings: $49,973 Nearest main metro: Modesto (70 miles)Merced, CA properties for saleMerced, CA flats for lease

When you’ve lived in California for some time, likelihood is you realize of Merced. This inexpensive metropolis is dwelling to roughly 86,300 residents, situated roughly midway between Modesto and Fresno. Make sure to benefit from the Merced County Truthful through the summer season, go to Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo, and take a look at downtown Merced as soon as residing right here.

#9: Stockton

Median dwelling worth: $435,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $278Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,299 Median family earnings: $58,393 Nearest main metro: Sacramento (50 miles)Stockton, CA properties for saleStockton, CA flats for lease

Subsequent up on our checklist is Stockton, a preferred metropolis situated 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 outlets and museums. There’s lots to do on a day or weekend whereas residing in Stockton.

#10: Modesto

Median dwelling worth: $458,000 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $304Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,535 Median family earnings: $62,182 Nearest main metro: Stockton (30 miles)Modesto, CA properties for saleModesto, CA flats for lease

One other great spot to contemplate residing in California is Modesto the place the inhabitants is about 218,500. Fashionable issues to do in Modesto embrace testing 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 dwelling worth: $465,000 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $262Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,750Median family earnings: $71,367Nearest main metro: Los Angeles (68 miles)Lancaster, CA properties on the market Lancaster, CA flats for lease

The eleventh metropolis to make our checklist is Lancaster, situated in Southern California. Dwelling to 57,400 residents, it’s a fantastic inexpensive choice if you wish to stay close to main cities like Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. In Lancaster, you’ll be able to try 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 dwelling worth: $475,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $319Average lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,632 Median family earnings: $65,867 Nearest main metro: Sacramento (15 miles)Citrus Heights, CA properties for saleCitrus Heights, CA flats for lease

With a median dwelling sale worth of $475,000, Citrus Heights takes the following spot on our checklist of most inexpensive 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 the town for you, make sure you try inexperienced areas like Rusch Group Park and Tempo Park, and have a meal at one of many native eating places.

#13: Sacramento

Median dwelling worth: $487,500 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $339 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,949 Median family earnings: $65,847 Sacramento, CA properties for saleSacramento, CA flats for lease

The town of Sacramento is one other superior inexpensive metropolis to contemplate residing in. With a median dwelling sale worth of $487,500 and a inhabitants of 524,900, there are many causes that may persuade you to maneuver to Sacramento. You’ll discover a number of actions to do as properly, comparable to 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 try 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 outlets, eating places, and historical past excursions.

>> Learn: Fashionable Sacramento, CA, Neighborhoods to Dwell in 

#14: Clovis

Median dwelling worth: $523,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $269 Common lease for a 1-bedroom residence: $1,491 Median family earnings: $84,119 Nearest main metro: Fresno (9 miles)Clovis, CA properties for saleClovis, CA flats for lease

The 14th and remaining metropolis is Clovis the place the median dwelling sale worth is $490,000. A suburb of Fresno, Clovis has a small-town really feel with views of the close by mountains. There may be lots to do in Clovis like exploring the charming Previous City Clovis space the place you’ll discover a farmers market, native outlets, and stellar eating places. You can even benefit from the iconic Clovis Rodeo every April and go to the Clovis Botanical Backyard on a sunny day.

Methodology: All cities will need to have over 60,000 residents per the US Census and the typical sale worth per sq. foot should be beneath the typical sale worth per sq. foot in California. Median dwelling sale worth and median sale worth per sq. foot from the Redfin Information Heart throughout April 2025. Common rental knowledge from Lease.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family earnings knowledge sourced from the US Census Bureau.