Skip to content
San Diego Real Estate

CA’s Most Affordable Places To Live

As advisors deeply rooted in San Diego and Riverside County real estate, we often hear from clients searching for that…

Brad & Karen MattonenBrad & Karen MattonenSeptember 12, 2026 · 1 min read

As advisors deeply rooted in San Diego and Riverside County real estate, we often hear from clients searching for that balance between affordability and quality of life. It’s encouraging to see that ten California cities currently offer notable housing affordability—with median home values ranging from $317,000 to $512,000, and rents falling between $1,358 and $2,400. Even more compelling, these areas feature cost of living indexes 8% to 27% below the state average. For those considering a right-size move—whether navigating probate, inherited homes, or exploring Prop 19 benefits—understanding where your housing dollar stretches further can make all the difference in long-term value and peace of mind. If maximizing equity and making smart, relationship-first decisions matter to you, these insights can help shape your next step.

#CaliforniaRealEstate #AffordableHousing #HomeBuyingTips #SanDiegoRealEstate #HomesInSDCounty #SanDiegoRealtor #NorthCountySanDiego #BradAndKarenMattonen

Brad & Karen Mattonen
Written byBrad & Karen Mattonen

Questions about this article or your own move? Call 858-518-2875 or send us a message and we will walk you through it.

← Back to the blog
Thinking of selling?

What is your San Diego County home worth?

Start with an instant estimate, then get a personal analysis from Brad & Karen within 24 hours.

Get your home value
Log inRegister