But the good news is, a few expensive cities don\u2019t speak for the state as a whole. It\u2019s still possible to become a homeowner in the Golden State\u2014if you know where to look.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n Tell us a little bit about your plans (where you’re looking to buy and when you want to make a purchase) and we’ll connect you with top-rated buyer’s agents in your area. It takes only a few minutes, and it’s free.<\/p>\n \n Here are 4 cities that won\u2019t break the bank:<\/p>\n Visit California<\/a> describes Eureka as \u201ca hidden gem surrounded by ancient redwood forests, cradled by Humboldt Bay, California\u2019s most pristine bay.\u201d<\/p>\n Doesn\u2019t that just make you want to go there right now? You can go north to Portland, Oregon or south to San Francisco, but you may not find a coastal city with the unique combination of charm and history Eureka exudes. Sit out on the scenic waterfront, take a ferryboat cruise, and discover one treasure after another in a city that is, in its entirety, a state historic landmark.<\/p>\n Expect to be captivated from the moment you arrive. You\u2019ll be awed by the ornately designed Victorians. And you\u2019ll be happy to learn you can buy one for under $200,000. Granted, it\u2019ll likely be a major project house. But if you\u2019re into that type of thing, you\u2019ll find your fair share of exciting fixer-upper opportunities here.<\/p>\n Of course, keep in mind you could easily spend $500,000-ish and up for a meticulously restored place in the Old Town district that looks like it could have been plucked from San Francisco\u2019s \u201cPostcard Row<\/a>.\u201d You can also buy a starter home right on the bay in the $100,000s here, and enjoy a low overall cost of living while reveling in the endless vacation vibes of this seaport town.<\/p>\n But, beware of the job situation; they\u2019re not as plentiful as other areas, with employment in the area largely bolstered by Humboldt State University, St. Joseph\u2019s Health System, and The Pacific Lumber Company.<\/p>\n Population:<\/b> 26,129<\/a><\/p>\n Median home value:<\/b> $296,500<\/a><\/p>\n Median household income:<\/b> $46,926<\/a><\/p>\n Look, up in the sky\u2026it’s a bird, it\u2019s a plane. Actually, it\u2019s a hot air balloon. That must mean it\u2019s the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival<\/a>. Coincidentally, it\u2019s also when many a California homebuyer falls in love with the city and decides to hang out for more than a couple of days.<\/p>\n Or, perhaps it happens during the Temecula Valley International Film Festival, on a visit to one of the city\u2019s 40-plus wineries, at the Temecula Valley Polo Club, on one of the many championship golf courses, or at Pechanga Resort and Casino, the largest casino in the state\u2014which also happens to be the city\u2019s largest employer.<\/p>\n Gorgeous year-round weather makes these outdoor activities even more enjoyable. And a family-friendly environment with home prices that are hundreds of thousands of dollars lower than in San Diego<\/a>, which is just 58 miles away, means more money in your pocket to get out and enjoy all the city has to offer.<\/p>\n Temecula\u2019s job market is also strong. Thousands of jobs have been created<\/a> in the city over the past few years.<\/p>\n Population:<\/b>\u00a0111,752<\/a><\/p>\n Median home value:<\/b>\u00a0$490,900<\/a><\/p>\n Median household income:<\/b>\u00a0$103,546<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n HomeLight-recommended real estate agents are top-tier negotiators who understand the market data that helps you save as much as possible when buying your dream home.<\/p>\n \n Just over 100 miles from Los Angeles, Bakersfield has an energy all its own and a thriving real estate market that makes homeownership downright affordable.<\/p>\n Bakersfield is the most highly populated city in Kern County, and the ninth-most populous city in the state<\/a>, so it holds conveniences abound.<\/p>\n Plus, there are opportunities for natural exploration and adventure, with almost 60 parks, miles and miles of bike paths and easy access to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, not to mention numerous national forests, including: Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Los Padres National Forest, Angeles National Forest, and Death Valley National Park.<\/p>\n Oil rigs that dot the landscape are indicative of one of the city\u2019s top employment sectors, with agriculture, healthcare, education, and distribution industries also contributing jobs.<\/p>\n Two of the largest carrot growers across the country, Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms, are located here, and Nestle and Frito-Lay also have plants in the area.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>:\u00a0410,647<\/a><\/p>\n Median home value<\/b>:\u00a0$272,000<\/a><\/p>\n Median household income<\/strong>:\u00a0$69,014<\/a><\/p>\n This Souther California coastal city has ideal weather, so much to do, and living there will save you a significant amount of money compared to other Southern California beach towns.<\/p>\n Temperate all year round, the summers here are a dream, with temps that can be 30 degrees (or more) cooler than inland areas. That has made the city a draw for those who can\u2019t bear another stifling summer in areas like the San Fernando or Santa Clarita Valley.<\/p>\n There are parks and hiking and family entertainment spots, but so much of what makes Ventura ideal centers around the beach. There\u2019s something for everyone here\u2014you\u2019ve got the Harbor<\/a> with its family-friendly activities and tasty eateries, wineries and art galleries that fill up Downtown Ventura, and of course, the many beaches serving everyone from little swimmers to world-class surfers.<\/p>\n By typical affordability standards, Ventura may not make the grade, but, if coastal living is a must, this casual beach town between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara is a bargain. By comparison, Santa Barbara\u2019s median home value<\/a> is $1,653,697, Santa Monica\u2019s median home value<\/a> is $1,639,436, and Huntington Beach\u2019s median home value<\/a> is $1,182,828.<\/p>\n Healthcare, agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and tourism help drive the local economy, with Ventura County Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, and Patagonia<\/a> among the city\u2019s largest employers.<\/p>\n Just outside the city are numerous other healthcare-and medical-related companies including several hospitals and the biopharmaceutical company\u00a0Amgen<\/a>.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>:\u00a0832,605<\/a><\/p>\n Median home value:<\/b>\u00a0$633,900<\/a><\/p>\n Median household income<\/b>:\u00a0$94,150<\/a><\/p>\n Will it be a little place on the coast? A home amidst the vineyards? Or, perhaps, a central California city with a booming economy is where you want to put down roots.<\/p>\n Whatever you\u2019re seeking for your new home, you can find it in California\u2014and still stay on a budget<\/a>. Turns out buying a home in the Golden State can be a golden opportunity.<\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs. It takes just two minutes to match you with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process.<\/p>\n \n ![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Step one: Talk to a few buyer's agents!<\/h3>\n
1. Eureka<\/h2>\n
2. Temecula<\/h2>\n
\n <\/div>\n \n Save thousands when buying a home<\/h3>\n
3. Bakersfield<\/h2>\n
4. Ventura<\/h2>\n
Find your home in California\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n <\/div>\n \n Find a top real estate agent near you<\/h3>\n