According to the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), California sold existing single-family homes at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 269,620 in August 2026, up 2.4% from July and 1.4% from a year earlier. The statewide median price was $901,420, up 1.6% from July and essentially flat from August 2025.
The numbers
- Median price: $901,420
- Unsold inventory: 3.7 months of supply, up from 3.4 in July
- Median days on market: 28
- Sales-to-list price ratio: 98.9%
- Price per square foot: $428
By region
| Region | August median | vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Bay Area | $1,272,000 | −0.2% |
| Southern California | $900,000 | +2.9% |
| Los Angeles metro | $850,000 | +1.2% |
| Orange County | $1,452,500 | +4.9% |
| Santa Clara County | $1,900,000 | 0.0% |
| Inland Empire | $600,000 | 0.0% |
| Central Valley | $500,000 | +1.0% |
Rates have moved since August
C.A.R. calculates that the 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.67% in August. Rates rose after that: Freddie Mac's weekly survey put the 30-year fixed at 7.40% on October 8, and the Mortgage Bankers Association's survey for the week ending October 2 showed 7.49% for conforming loans and 7.39% for jumbo loans.
What this means if you are buying in California
- Know whether your loan is conforming or jumbo. In Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties, a one-unit loan up to $1,249,125 is still conforming in 2026. Above that, it is a jumbo loan.
- Compare both. Jumbo rates have been running at or slightly below conforming rates, so do not assume a jumbo loan costs more.
- Refresh your pre-approval. A letter written at August rates may overstate what you can borrow today.
I am licensed for home loans in California and work alongside your California agent. If you want your numbers run at today's rates, start a pre-approval or send me the home you are looking at.
