Compare today's average mortgage rates in the state of California. Bankrate aggregates mortgage rates from multiple sources to provide averages for California.
| Loan Term | Interest Rate | Change 1 Day | Rate Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed mortgage rate | 4.04% | 0.24% | 3.80% |
| 15-year fixed mortgage rate | 3.38% | 0.07% | 3.31% |
| 5/1 ARM mortgage rate | 3.48% | -- 0.00% | 3.48% |
| 30-year fixed jumbo mortgage rate | 4.13% | 0.30% | 3.83% |
| 30-year fixed refinance rate | 4.22% | 0.43% | 3.79% |
Today's 30-year fixed rate:
4.04 %Current rates in California are 4.04% for a 30-year fixed, 3.38% for a 15-year fixed, and 3.48% for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).
Learn more about today's mortgage rates.
Compare and lock-in current mortgage rate quotes in California from multiple lenders. Bankrate provides real-time rates with APR for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed and more. For more information and reviews on Bankrate's best mortgage lenders, check out our top lenders page
The 5 most affordable places in California
1. Lassen County
Relatively small Lassen County is the most affordable place in California, according to the California Association of Realtors. Data from the organization’s Traditional Housing Affordability Index shows 64 percent of homebuyers could afford to purchase the median-priced, existing single-family home — $192,500 — in Lassen. The county is located about 125 miles northeast of Sacramento where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains meet the desert of the Great Basin. The most densely populated town — 15,326 people — is Susanville.
2. Kern County
More than half of homebuyers (53 percent) could afford the median priced home ($244,000) in Kern County, according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index. The county in California’s Central Valley includes Bakersfield, a family-friendly city of 380,874 people. About 105 miles north of Los Angeles, Kern County includes Edwards Air Force Base, the Kern River Valley and California State University-Bakersfield.
3. Madera County
The CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index shows 52 percent of buyers could afford the median priced home ($238,000) in Madera County. Located in California’s Central Valley, about 125 miles southeast of San Francisco, Madera County includes the Fresno-Madera metropolitan area as well as easy access to Yosemite National Park. Altogether, 156,890 people live in Madera County.
4. Tehama County
Tehama County, fewer than 100 miles northwest of Sacramento, is surrounded by national forests and recreational opportunities. Just over half (51 percent) of homebuyers in the area could afford the median priced home ($215,900), making Tehama one of the most affordable areas in California, according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index. The largest city in the area is Red Bluff with a population of 14,287 people.
5. Kings County
Kings County, like other places in California’s Central Valley, is one of the more affordable places for those looking to buy a home. Half (50 percent) of homebuyers can afford the median priced home ($235,000) in Kings County, according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index. The county, about 125 miles southeast of San Jose, includes the Hanford-Corcoran metropolitan area. Like other affordable areas in California, Kings County is relatively small with 150,101 residents.
The 5 least affordable places in California
1. Santa Cruz County
Situated the northern tip of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz County includes 29 miles of coastline and numerous state parks and beaches. Unfortunately, Santa Cruz’s perks come at a cost. The people in California’s Central Coast is the least affordable place for home seekers. Only 12 percent of homebuyers could afford to buy the median priced ($905,000) home, according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index.
2. Mono County
Nestled between Nevada and Yosemite National Park, Mono County is home to 14,168 people. The small community offers Mono Lake, Bodie Ghost Town and other options for scenic beauty. Mono also offers one of the least affordable housing markets in the Golden State. Just 14 percent of homebuyers could afford the median priced ($624,500) home in the county, according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index.
3. San Mateo County
Silicon Valley started in the southern portion of San Mateo County. The county borders San Francisco Bay and is home to 771,410 residents in Belmont, East Palo Alto, Redwood City, South San Francisco and other cities in the area. San Mateo County is one of the least affordable places in California with just 14 percent of homebuyers able to afford the median priced home ($1.65 million), according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index.
4. San Francisco County
San Francisco County is easily one of the most iconic places in the United States with the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street and the last manually operated cable car system. Living in one of the most picturesque spots in the country isn’t cheap. Only 14 percent of people can afford the median priced home ($1.63 million), according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index.
5. Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County shares the beauty and wealth of other areas in San Francisco Bay Area. The county includes 1.94 million people across Palo Alto, Santa Clara, San Jose and other communities in the area. Santa Clara County features major corporations in Silicon Valley as well as Stanford University, Mission Peak Regional Preserve and the Winchester Mystery House. Just 16 percent of homebuyers could afford the median priced home ($1.41 million) in Santa Clara County, according to the CAR Traditional Housing Affordability Index.
Affordability is based on the California Association of Realtors Traditional Housing Affordability Index. The data released Aug. 8, 2018, tracks the percentage of households that could afford to purchase the median-priced, existing single-family home during the second quarter of 2018 for 49 of California’s 58 counties. Population numbers are based on the 2017 estimates released by the United States Census Bureau.
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