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City · 14,414 residents · Kern County, California

California City , California

In California City, a typical home is worth $278,000 and typical rent is $1,300 a month. Compared with all of Kern County, the typical home value is 18% lower, typical household income is 14% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 5 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $278,000

    18% below the county

    62% below California

    • California City
    • Kern
    • California

  • Typical rent

    $1,300a month

    About the same as the county

    36% below California

    • California City
    • Kern
    • California

  • Typical household income

    $60,113a year

    14% below the county

    39% below California

    • California City
    • Kern
    • California

  • Households that own their home

    55%

    5 points below the county

    1 points below California

    • California City
    • Kern
    • California

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$270,842
3% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,660 a month
about the same as 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

California City is in Kern County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Kern County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets California City apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Mojave, the typical home value is $213,600: 23% less than in California City ($278,000).

  2. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in California City fell 3%; in California, it rose 0.6%.

  3. California City has the 41st lowest typical home value of the 654 cities in California with more than 5,000 people ($278,000).

  4. 55% of households in California City own their home, against 60% in Kern County.

  5. California City has the 56th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 616 cities in California with more than 5,000 people (67%).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in California City

What homes there are in California City, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is the most common home in California City: 73% of homes, near the figure in Kern County (72%).

Year built

Here half of the homes date from 1994 or later; in Kern County, from 1984 or later.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,684 a month

Kern County: $1,968 a month

Without a mortgage

$512 a month

Kern County: $631 a month

Owners with a mortgage

68%

Kern County: 66%

Owning costs less in California City: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,684 a month; in Kern County, $1,968. Without one, $512.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in California City rose 123%; in Kern County, it rose 58%.

Much as in Kern County, the typical rent in California City rose 35% since 2015–2019.

Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 23%, while home values changed +123% and rent +35%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureCalifornia CityKern CountyCaliforniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate3.5%4.2%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.9%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room 9.7%9.8%8.2%3.4%
People per household 2.803.122.842.53
Drive alone 73%78%66%69%
Carpool 14%11%10%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate0%3%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%3%3%
Work from home 11%8%17%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

More than one person per room: that is how 9.7% of households in California City live, near the figure in Kern County (9.8%).

On average, a household in California City has 2.80 people, fewer than in Kern County (3.12).

In California City, 11% of workers work from home, more than in Kern County (8%).

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in California City?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in California City, worth $278,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 45% of the typical household income in California City, which is $60,113 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $96,731 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Kern County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in California City. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $9,730 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,257

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$272,965
Total interest
$392,732
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,695 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,403 a month

  • Tight

    $1,403 to $1,803 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,803 a month

    Your payment · 45%

Compared with the typical household income in California City ($60,113 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,257
Principal & interest$1,849
Property tax$169
Home insurance$116
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$123

You need at least $9,730 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

California City and Kern County

California City is in Kern County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

California City's own numbers

Typical home value
$278,000
Typical monthly rent
$1,300
Typical yearly household income
$60,113
Households that own their home
55%
Effective property tax rate
0.73%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Kern County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,656
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+51%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
5%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Kern County.

Everything about Kern County

Buying

Buying a home in California City

A typical home in California City is worth $278,000: 18% below the county and 62% below California. With the typical household income in California City ($60,113 a year), a typical home costs 4.6 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • California City 4.6 years
  • Kern 4.8 years
  • California 7.4 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Kern County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Kern County rose 88% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Kern County.

Period County California U.S.
Last year (2025) +2.0% +0.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +51% +40% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +88% +80% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

California City next to Kern County, California and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • California City $278,000
  • Kern $338,300
  • California $734,700
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • California City $1,300
  • Kern $1,300
  • California $2,036
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • California City $60,113
  • Kern $70,210
  • California $99,122
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
California City next to Kern County and California
Measure California City Kern County California U.S.
Typical home value $278,000 $338,300 $734,700 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,300 $1,300 $2,036 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $60,113 $70,210 $99,122 $80,734
Households that own their home 55% 60% 56% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,027 $2,984 $5,124 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.73% 0.88% 0.7% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 67% 56% 55% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Kern County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in California City

For a typical $278,000 home in California City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, California City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,257a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $9,730
    Cash to close
    $18,070
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $123

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,206a month

    Down payment
    $13,900
    Cash to close
    $22,240
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $132

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,792a month

    Down payment
    $55,600
    Cash to close
    $63,940
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,049a month

    Down payment
    $41,700
    Cash to close
    $50,040
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for California City and for Kern County.

Property tax

Effective rate in California City

0.73%of the home’s value each year

$2,027 a year for the typical owner in California City.

  • California City 0.73%
  • Kern 0.88%
  • California 0.7%

What California publishes Homeowners' exemption (California State Board of Equalization (BOE))

Exemptions and deadlines in California

Flood risk in Kern County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Kern County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
5%
12,851
Of those, with NFIP insurance
20%
County California U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 5% 2.8% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 20% 31% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in California City

Typical rent in California City is $1,300 a month: about the same as the county. In California City, 67% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Kern County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,656 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $31.85 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Kern County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,265 $24.33 $50,600
1 bedroom $1,273 $24.48 $50,920
2 bedrooms $1,656 $31.85 $66,240
3 bedrooms $2,293 $44.10 $91,720
4 bedrooms $2,768 $53.23 $110,720

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in California City

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). California City is in ZIP code 93505.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,580: $76 less than the fair market rent for Kern County ($1,656).

  • 93505 $1,580$2,190

A ZIP code counts for California City when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in California City

HUD lists one building with rents for lower incomes in California City.

  • California Terrace 21501 Lake Shore Dr, California City 93505 32 homes, 31 low-income · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2012

See all 152 buildings in Kern County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in California City

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Kern County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A pregnant woman reads paperwork on the sofa while the grandmother plays with the girl on the floor.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in California City

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for California City or Kern County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in California City the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in California

  • MyHome Assistance Program

    Statewide in California

    CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California. Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

  • California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan

    Statewide in California

    Closed, per the source

    CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation. Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

    Shared appreciation

    See the program Official page

  • MyAccess Program

    Statewide in California

    CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional). Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near California City

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of California City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Nid-Hca Palmdale

    520 W. Palmdale Blvd, Suite J, Palmdale · 42 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 9 more
    (661) 526-4013

  • Nid-Hca Victorville

    14318 California Ave, Victorville · 54 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 7 more
    (760) 254-6181

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Upland, CA

    205 N 2nd Ave, Upland · 74 miles away · Spanish

    (402) 970-6222

All counseling agencies in California

Help in Spanish near California City

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of California City

HUD’s record names them for California City or Kern County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Housing Authority of the County of Kern Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (661) 631-8500

All housing agencies in California Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Kern County

These cities are also in Kern County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Kern County Housing in California
See 10 more cities in Kern County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to California City, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Kern County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in California City.

All guides
Two parents walk hand in hand with their little daughter.

Questions

Housing questions about California City

Short answers with the numbers for California City and all of Kern County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in California City?

The typical home value in California City is $278,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Kern County it is $338,300.

How much does it cost to rent in California City?

Typical rent in California City is $1,300 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Kern County is $1,656.

What is the FHA loan limit in California City?

California City uses the FHA limit for all of Kern County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in California City?

The typical homeowner in California City pays $2,027 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.73% of the home’s value; in Kern County, the rate is 0.88%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in California City?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Kern County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).