I’ve analyzed data from the Zillow Home Value Index to uncover California’s most affordable towns as of January 2025. The results reveal fascinating patterns about housing affordability in the Golden State, with significant regional variations that tell a story of economic division within California.
What surprised me most was discovering towns where home values range from approximately $54,000 to $181,000 in a state where the typical home exceeds $700,000. The data shows that rural communities in counties like San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Lassen, and Kern dominate the list of affordable locations, with many experiencing dramatic fluctuations in value over the past 15 years. Some towns have seen astonishing growth rates exceeding 300%, while others have experienced periods of decline followed by recovery.
Looking at the geographic distribution of these affordable towns, I’ve noticed they’re primarily located in remote areas far from major employment centers – desert communities, former mining towns, and rural outposts in the state’s northern and eastern regions. This analysis provides a window into California’s hidden affordable markets for potential homebuyers willing to consider less conventional locations.
1. Weldon
- Home value (2025): $180,980
- Home value (2020): $134,506
- Home value (2015): $99,054
- Home value (2010): $78,496
- Change 2010-2025: +130.6%
- Change 2015-2025: +82.7%
- Change 2020-2025: +34.6%
Weldon embraces its mountain character with housing values that climbed from $78,496 in 2010 to $180,980 in 2025 – a substantial 130.6% increase that reflects its appealing position in the scenic Kern River Valley…