California is known for its extremely expensive real estate prices, but there are some northern counties with beautiful views where you can still score a Golden State bargain.
In 11 of California’s 58 counties — including San Francisco, San Diego and Orange County — the average single-family home costs $1 million or more, according to the latest sales data from the California Association of Realtors.
But there are 25 California counties where a typical property stays under $500,000 — and some have significantly lower average prices.
For example, in Lassen County the average home price is $247,500, while in Siskiyou County the average home costs $295,000.
California has a reputation for being extremely expensive, but there are some northern counties that offer beautiful views and are still a bargain. Pictured: A view of Lassen County
Real estate in San Francisco, San Diego, and Orange County will cost you almost $1 million, but other communities like Lassen County are a lot more affordable. Pictured: $239,000 home in Lassen County
Siskiyou County is the second most affordable region with real estate prices around $295,000. Pictured: Siskiyou County home valued at $299,000
Lassen County, with a population of about 32,000 and described as an outdoor paradise, is the cheapest county in California – with an average home price in October of $245,000.
This is a sharp increase of 37 percent from $181,250 compared to the previous month.
But overall, it fell year-over-year, with homes selling for nearly $290,000 in October 2022.
Located where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains meet the Great Basin desert, Lassen County is home to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The second cheapest area is Siskiyou County in the northernmost part of California, which offers equally beautiful views. Homes in this area sell for around $295,000.
This figure is down about nine percent from $325,000 in September – and compared to $326,750 in October 2022.
Siskiyou County is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty and quaint towns.
The 4,322-foot Mount Shasta is located in the region, along with other snow-capped peaks in the Cascade Range.
Factors such as remoteness, shrinking population and limited services could explain why it is cheaper to buy property in these provinces.
Siskiyou County is located in the northernmost part of California and is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty and quaint towns
Another affordable property in Siskiyou County, listed for $299,000
The most expensive area to buy a home in California is San Mateo, where the average home price is $2.1 million.
This is an increase of 11 percent from $1,900,000 compared to October 2022 figures.
Santa Clara and Marin are the next most expensive regions, where prices are $1,805,000 and $1,712,500 respectively.
In San Francisco, the median home price is $1,650,000, which is up $1,580,000 compared to September.
In San Diego, this amount is $936,250, a nine percent increase from last year.
The median home price in Orange County is $1,275,000, which is up nine percent overall from $1,165,000 last year.
For those looking for properties under $400,000, the median home price in Trinity County is $320,000. Pictured: Trinity County home listed for $275,000
In Los Angeles, the average real estate price is currently $893,650, which is up five percent compared to October 2022.
For those looking for properties under $400,000, there are also plenty of options in Glenn Kern, Kings, Lake, Merced, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, and Tulare counties.
The most affordable homes in Southern California are found in San Bernardino County at $481,500 and Riverside County at $620,960.