Top California markets by PropertyIQ Score
Top metros
| # | Market | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Centro, CA | 77 | C+ |
| 2 | Bishop, CA | 76 | C |
| 3 | Susanville, CA | 66 | D |
| 4 | Hanford, CA | 55 | F |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | 52 | F |
| 6 | Red Bluff, CA | 51 | F |
| 7 | Gardnerville Ranchos, NV | 50 | F |
| 8 | Bakersfield, CA | 39 | F |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | 39 | F |
| 10 | Fresno, CA | 37 | F |
Top counties
| # | Market | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imperial County, CA | 73 | C |
| 2 | Colusa County, CA | 71 | C- |
| 3 | Inyo County, CA | 68 | D+ |
| 4 | Glenn County, CA | 66 | D |
| 5 | Marin County, CA | 63 | D |
| 6 | Lassen County, CA | 61 | D- |
| 7 | Kings County, CA | 52 | F |
| 8 | Plumas County, CA | 46 | F |
| 9 | Fresno County, CA | 38 | F |
| 10 | Kern County, CA | 36 | F |
California Real Estate Market
AI-powered housing market analysis for every metro area and county in California. Updated monthly with the latest data from Zillow, Redfin, Census, and FRED.
California Metro Areas
34 metropolitan areas tracked by PropertyIQ in California
+22 more metro areas in California tracked by PropertyIQ
California Counties
58 counties tracked by PropertyIQ in California
+46 more counties in California tracked by PropertyIQ
Get AI-Powered Market Analysis
PropertyIQ scores every California market on 40+ indicators. Sign up free to unlock the full dashboard.
California Real Estate Market Analysis
The California housing market offers investors and homebuyers a diverse range of opportunities across metro areas, counties, and communities at every price point. The PropertyIQ Score rates every market in California by combining Zillow price momentum over 3 and 12 months with Realtor.com market-flow signals — how fast homes sell and how often sellers cut prices — to show how each market is positioned to outperform or lag the state over the next three years.
California's housing market is defined by the nation's most severe supply-demand imbalance, driven by CEQA regulations, geographic constraints, and decades of underbuilding. Despite the highest home prices in the continental US, strong wage growth in technology, entertainment, and biotech sustains demand. PropertyIQ tracks the emerging divergence between coastal metros losing population and inland markets (Riverside, Fresno, Sacramento) absorbing displaced buyers.
Use PropertyIQ's scores and interactive analytics to find the right California market for your goals. Compare metros side-by-side, explore county-level data for granular insights, or use the Graphs tool to track historical trends for any California market over time.
California Metro Areas and ZIP Codes
California Counties and ZIP Codes
Last updated: 2026-07-17. Data from Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, U.S. Census Bureau, FRED, BLS, and BEA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many housing markets does PropertyIQ track in California?
PropertyIQ currently tracks 34 metro areas and 58 counties in California, each with its own PropertyIQ Score, home value trend, and days on market reading, refreshed monthly.
What does a PropertyIQ Score of 50 mean for a California market?
A score of 50 marks California's own state average demand momentum. PropertyIQ computes scores nationally across every US market, then calibrates the scale so a California market is read against California's own typical momentum rather than the national average. A market scoring above 50 is positioned to outperform the California average over the next three years, while one below 50 is positioned to lag it.
Where can I find ZIP code level housing data for California?
Every metro area and county listed on this page links through to its own ZIP codes, and each ZIP has its own market page with home value, rent, and days on market data. Start from a California metro or county below, then drill into ZIP codes for the most localized data available.
What data sources does PropertyIQ use for California market data, and how often is it updated?
PropertyIQ ingests fresh data every month from Zillow home values, Realtor.com days on market and price cut activity, Redfin, the US Census Bureau, FRED, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Every metro, county, and ZIP page for California shows a last updated date, and PropertyIQ Scores are recomputed monthly once that new source data lands.
Which California metro area has the strongest housing demand right now?
As of the latest monthly refresh, El Centro, CA has the highest PropertyIQ Score among California metro areas, indicating the strongest demand momentum in the state relative to its own history. Rankings shift month to month as new home value, days on market, and price cut data arrives, so check back after each monthly update.