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City · 10,511 residents · Kern County, California

Hillcrest , California

In Hillcrest, a typical home is worth $272,700 and typical rent is $1,259 a month. Compared with all of Kern County, typical household income is 34% lower, the typical home value is 19% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 10 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $272,700

    19% below the county

    63% below California

    • Hillcrest
    • Kern
    • California

  • Typical rent

    $1,259a month

    3% below the county

    38% below California

    • Hillcrest
    • Kern
    • California

  • Typical household income

    $46,285a year

    34% below the county

    53% below California

    • Hillcrest
    • Kern
    • California

  • Households that own their home

    51%

    10 points below the county

    5 points below California

    • Hillcrest
    • Kern
    • California

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

Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest apart

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

  1. Hillcrest has the 11th lowest typical household income of the 659 cities in California with more than 5,000 people ($46,285).

  2. Nearby, in East Bakersfield, the typical home value is $208,700: 23% less than in Hillcrest ($272,700).

  3. Hillcrest has the 38th lowest typical home value of the 654 cities in California with more than 5,000 people ($272,700).

  4. 51% of households in Hillcrest own their home, against 60% in Kern County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Hillcrest

What homes there are in Hillcrest, 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

In Hillcrest, 8 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Kern County, 7.

Year built

Homes in Hillcrest are older: the typical year built is 1956; in Kern County, 1984.

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

$1,748 a month

Kern County: $1,968 a month

Without a mortgage

$639 a month

Kern County: $631 a month

Owners with a mortgage

64%

Kern County: 66%

Owning costs less in Hillcrest: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,748 a month; in Kern County, $1,968. Without one, $639.

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

The Census does not compare Hillcrest with 2015–2019 because its boundaries changed. In Kern County, over that time, the typical home value rose 58%.

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

MeasureHillcrestKern 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 16.2%9.8%8.2%3.4%
People per household 3.523.122.842.53
Drive alone 72%78%66%69%
Carpool 20%11%10%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate0%3%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%3%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate8%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 16.2% of households in Hillcrest live, more than in Kern County (9.8%).

More people live in each home here: 3.52 on average, against 3.12 in Kern County.

More people carpool to work in Hillcrest than in Kern County: 20% against 11%.

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 Hillcrest?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Hillcrest, worth $272,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 59% of the typical household income in Hillcrest, which is $46,285 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $97,322 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 Hillcrest. 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 $9,545 (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

$2,271

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$267,760
Total interest
$385,244
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,605 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,080 a month

  • Tight

    $1,080 to $1,389 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,389 a month

    Your payment · 59%

Compared with the typical household income in Hillcrest ($46,285 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,271
Principal & interest$1,814
Property tax$223
Home insurance$114
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$121

You need at least $9,545 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

Hillcrest and Kern County

Hillcrest 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).

Hillcrest's own numbers

Typical home value
$272,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,259
Typical yearly household income
$46,285
Households that own their home
51%
Effective property tax rate
0.98%

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 Hillcrest

A typical home in Hillcrest is worth $272,700: 19% below the county and 63% below California. With the typical household income in Hillcrest ($46,285 a year), a typical home costs 5.9 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.

  • Hillcrest 5.9 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

Hillcrest 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
  • Hillcrest $272,700
  • Kern $338,300
  • California $734,700
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Hillcrest $1,259
  • Kern $1,300
  • California $2,036
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Hillcrest $46,285
  • Kern $70,210
  • California $99,122
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Hillcrest next to Kern County and California
Measure Hillcrest Kern County California U.S.
Typical home value $272,700 $338,300 $734,700 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,259 $1,300 $2,036 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $46,285 $70,210 $99,122 $80,734
Households that own their home 51% 60% 56% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,680 $2,984 $5,124 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.98% 0.88% 0.7% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 60% 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 Hillcrest

For a typical $272,700 home in Hillcrest, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Hillcrest's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,271a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $9,545
    Cash to close
    $17,726
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $121

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,221a month

    Down payment
    $13,635
    Cash to close
    $21,816
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $130

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,814a month

    Down payment
    $54,540
    Cash to close
    $62,721
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,066a month

    Down payment
    $40,905
    Cash to close
    $49,086
    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 Hillcrest and for Kern County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Hillcrest

0.98%of the home’s value each year

$2,680 a year for the typical owner in Hillcrest.

  • Hillcrest 0.98%
  • 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 Hillcrest

Typical rent in Hillcrest is $1,259 a month: 3% below the county. In Hillcrest, 60% 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 Hillcrest

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Hillcrest is in ZIP code 93306.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,700: $44 more than the fair market rent for Kern County ($1,656).

  • 93306 $1,700$2,350

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Hillcrest 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?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Hillcrest

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.

An older man and his daughter go over papers with a professional.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Hillcrest

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Hillcrest or Kern County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest

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

  • Community Services and Employment Training, Inc. (CSET)

    312 NW 3rd Ave, Visalia · 69 miles away

    • Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    (559) 732-4194

  • Self Help Enterprises

    8445 W Elowin Ct, Visalia · 71 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 3 more
    (559) 802-1664

  • Nid-Hca Palmdale

    520 W. Palmdale Blvd, Suite J, Palmdale · 72 miles away · Spanish

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

All counseling agencies in California

Help in Spanish near Hillcrest

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves 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 Hillcrest

HUD’s record names them for Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest, 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 Hillcrest.

All guides
Three women of one family talk as they cook vegetables in the kitchen.

Questions

Housing questions about Hillcrest

Short answers with the numbers for Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest?

The typical home value in Hillcrest is $272,700, 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 Hillcrest?

Typical rent in Hillcrest is $1,259 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 Hillcrest?

Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest?

The typical homeowner in Hillcrest pays $2,680 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.98% of the home’s value; in Kern County, the rate is 0.88%.

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

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).