What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in California this week

Out of reach · #49 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median California household earning $100,800 a year can afford a home of about $318,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median California listing is $725,000, which would take 63.8% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$318,000

Affordable home price

+$2,097 vs. last week · −$31,691 vs. a year ago

$725,000

Median list price (September 2026)

−$15,500 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · California 47 a year ago

63.8%

Share of income the median listing takes

$5,358/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$101,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#49

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $740,500 and median income of $100,700 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $350,000 and the median listing took 59.3% of income. Affordability in California has worsened since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#47 Hawaii: can afford $332,000, median listing $732,000
#48 New York: can afford $274,000, median listing $605,000
#50 Montana: can afford $274,000, median listing $635,000

California housing market report → · California brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →

How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.