California Buyer's Markets 2026 | 95 Cities with High Inventory

All 95 Buyer's Markets in California

#	City	Months Supply	Median Price	Days on Market	YoY Change
1	Hidden Hills	23.0 mo	$12.65M	268 days	N/A
2	Diablo Grande	21.0 mo	$395K	120 days	N/A
3	Avenal	20.0 mo	$375K	180 days	N/A
4	Bass Lake	20.0 mo	$805K	36 days	N/A
5	Marina del Rey	20.0 mo	$775K	224 days	N/A
6	Cobb	19.0 mo	$218K	158 days	N/A
7	Crescent City	19.0 mo	$625K	107 days	N/A
8	Brawley	18.0 mo	$388K	28 days	N/A
9	Malibu	16.5 mo	$3.63M	160 days	N/A
10	Montecito	16.0 mo	$6.63M	198 days	N/A
11	Kerman	15.0 mo	$371K	63 days	N/A
12	Clearlake Oaks	14.5 mo	$85K	26 days	N/A
13	Fowler	14.0 mo	$502K	55 days	N/A
14	Kernville	13.0 mo	$580K	42 days	N/A
15	Homestead Valley	12.5 mo	$385K	144 days	N/A
16	Angwin	12.0 mo	$605K	13 days	N/A
17	Hidden Meadows	12.0 mo	$1.07M	250 days	N/A
18	Kelly Ridge	12.0 mo	$395K	94 days	N/A
19	Palermo	12.0 mo	$366K	22 days	N/A
20	Shelter Cove	12.0 mo	$270K	257 days	N/A
21	Bethel Island	11.5 mo	$568K	273 days	N/A
22	Avalon	11.0 mo	$7.50M	118 days	N/A
23	Lake California	11.0 mo	$413K	298 days	N/A
24	Pajaro Dunes	11.0 mo	$1.23M	215 days	N/A
25	Borrego Springs	10.8 mo	$418K	73 days	N/A
26	Corning	10.5 mo	$325K	204 days	N/A
27	Toro Canyon	10.5 mo	$6.66M	22 days	N/A
28	Bayview	10.0 mo	$479K	3 days	N/A
29	Covelo	10.0 mo	$155K	106 days	N/A
30	Crockett	10.0 mo	$1.15M	107 days	N/A
31	Ford City	10.0 mo	$145K	46 days	N/A
32	Lake Hughes	10.0 mo	$429K	98 days	N/A
33	Lucerne	10.0 mo	$149K	63 days	N/A
34	Maywood	10.0 mo	$1.35M	39 days	N/A
35	Mountain Mesa	10.0 mo	$299K	106 days	N/A
36	Oak View	10.0 mo	$860K	279 days	N/A
37	Old Fig Garden	9.5 mo	$768K	144 days	N/A
38	Needles	9.3 mo	$123K	57 days	N/A
39	Avila Beach	9.0 mo	$1.04M	294 days	N/A
40	Deer Park	9.0 mo	$2.06M	29 days	N/A
41	Jamestown	9.0 mo	$619K	3 days	N/A
42	Pine Flat	9.0 mo	$185K	17 days	N/A
43	South Taft	9.0 mo	$120K	76 days	N/A
44	Squirrel Mountain Valley	9.0 mo	$315K	74 days	N/A
45	Whitewater	9.0 mo	$230K	6 days	N/A
46	Pine Mountain Club	8.7 mo	$360K	123 days	-15.2%
47	Julian	8.5 mo	$370K	44 days	N/A
48	Lake Sherwood	8.5 mo	$2.19M	42 days	N/A
49	Bear Valley Springs	8.4 mo	$408K	121 days	-20.2%
50	Blythe	8.3 mo	$213K	41 days	N/A
51	St. Helena	8.3 mo	$1.54M	123 days	N/A
52	California City	8.1 mo	$302K	59 days	+2.4%
53	Bell Gardens	8.0 mo	$1.05M	47 days	N/A
54	Cazadero	8.0 mo	$492K	151 days	N/A
55	Channel Islands Beach	8.0 mo	$1.20M	105 days	N/A
56	Gerber	8.0 mo	$188K	2 days	N/A
57	Searles Valley	8.0 mo	$77K	14 days	N/A
58	Val Verde	8.0 mo	$520K	47 days	N/A
59	Wasco	8.0 mo	$337K	24 days	N/A
60	Willow Creek	8.0 mo	$368K	216 days	N/A
61	Shaver Lake	7.9 mo	$615K	136 days	N/A
62	Calexico	7.7 mo	$407K	50 days	N/A
63	Crestline	7.6 mo	$314K	148 days	-22.2%
64	Bodega Bay	7.5 mo	$1.21M	194 days	N/A
65	San Fernando	7.5 mo	$720K	11 days	N/A
66	Bell	7.0 mo	$849K	21 days	N/A
67	Berry Creek	7.0 mo	$115K	31 days	N/A
68	Bonadelle Ranchos	7.0 mo	$460K	102 days	N/A
69	Bonny Doon	7.0 mo	$600K	days	N/A
70	Calipatria	7.0 mo	$295K	393 days	N/A
71	Calistoga	7.0 mo	$1.55M	40 days	N/A
72	Challenge-Brownsville	7.0 mo	$155K	91 days	N/A
73	El Verano	7.0 mo	$875K	12 days	N/A
74	Imperial	7.0 mo	$475K	18 days	+11.8%
75	Lake of the Pines	7.0 mo	$600K	7 days	N/A
76	Mead Valley	7.0 mo	$950K	83 days	N/A
77	North Lakeport	7.0 mo	$608K	189 days	N/A
78	Santa Ynez	7.0 mo	$1.27M	48 days	N/A
79	Stinson Beach	7.0 mo	$1.52M	192 days	N/A
80	Desert Hot Springs	6.8 mo	$440K	75 days	+17.3%
81	Auberry	6.7 mo	$360K	30 days	N/A
82	Big Bear City	6.7 mo	$338K	93 days	-24.3%
83	Anza	6.5 mo	$450K	10 days	N/A
84	Glen Avon	6.5 mo	$1.01M	88 days	N/A
85	Gustine	6.5 mo	$288K	24 days	N/A
86	Indio	6.5 mo	$555K	59 days	+9.9%
87	Salida	6.5 mo	$533K	29 days	N/A
88	Spaulding	6.5 mo	$182K	323 days	N/A
89	Lucerne Valley	6.4 mo	$300K	77 days	N/A
90	Auburn Lake Trails	6.3 mo	$599K	136 days	N/A
91	Joshua Tree	6.3 mo	$565K	134 days	+46.8%
92	North Fork	6.3 mo	$365K	191 days	N/A
93	Oakhurst	6.3 mo	$539K	96 days	-20.7%
94	Ojai	6.3 mo	$1.98M	133 days	N/A
95	Rancho Mirage	6.2 mo	$795K	57 days	-6.7%

Understanding Buyer's Markets in California

California currently has 95 buyer's markets—cities where housing inventory exceeds 6 months. In these markets, buyers typically have more negotiating power, can take their time making decisions, and may be able to purchase below asking price.

What Makes a Good Buyer's Market?

High inventory (6+ months supply): More homes than active buyers
Longer days on market: Sellers are more motivated to negotiate
Sale prices below list: Homes often sell under asking
Price stability or decline: Less upward pressure on prices

Frequently Asked Questions

Is California a buyer's market in 2026?

Some areas of California are buyer's markets in 2026, with 95 cities showing more than 6 months of housing inventory. This means buyers have more choices, less competition, and greater negotiating power in these areas.

What defines a buyer's market in real estate?

A buyer's market occurs when housing supply exceeds demand, typically with more than 6 months of inventory on the market. Homes take longer to sell, price reductions are common, and buyers can negotiate favorable terms including lower prices, seller concessions, and contingencies.

How can buyers take advantage of a buyer's market in California?

In a California buyer's market, you can negotiate below asking price, request seller concessions (closing costs, repairs), include contingencies without losing deals, and take more time to make decisions. Working with an experienced local agent helps you identify the best opportunities and negotiate effectively.

Are home prices dropping in California?

Home prices vary significantly across California cities. Some buyer's market areas are seeing price reductions, while other regions maintain stable or rising prices. Check our city-level data for current median prices and year-over-year trends in your target area.

Is it a good time to buy a house in California?

Buyer's market conditions in parts of California present opportunities with more inventory, less competition, and negotiating leverage. However, the "right time" also depends on mortgage rates, your financial readiness, and local market conditions. A California real estate agent can help you evaluate whether current conditions align with your goals.

Should I wait for prices to drop further before buying?

Timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible. If you find a home you love in a California buyer's market at a price that works for your budget, waiting carries risk—rates could rise or inventory could tighten. Many buyers find that negotiating a good deal in today's market beats waiting for uncertain future conditions.

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