Top 20 California Cities Where Home Values Are Seeing Major Gains

An over 70 percent increase in your home’s value in just five years? In California, at least six markets have just posted spikes that high.

So says a new GOBankingRates analysis, which identifies the top 20 places to buy in California if you’re looking for a strong return on your investment. For some perspective on jumps of 70 percent or more, consider the average value increase across the nation for the same time period was closer to 40 percent.

Each of the 20 cities in GBR’s list top that figure, as well as exceed the national average for value increases over the past year (0.28%). The analysis is based on Zillow’s September 2025 data — the most recent available.

Cities in GBR’s top 20 represent a wide range of markets in terms of home value as well as geography. Average home values as of September range from $283,000 to $4 million. Here’s a rundown, ending with a city that has seen a whopping 81% increase in average home values since 2020:

• September 2025 average home value: $358,268
• 1-year home value change (%): +2.2%
• 5-year home value change (%): +44.4%

• September 2025 average home value: $283,208
• 1-year home value change (%): +0.8%
• 5-year home value change (%): +53.6%

• September 2025 average home value: $993,150
• 1-year home value change (%): +1.4%
• 5-year home value change (%): +50.1%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,065,993
• 1-year home value change (%): +2.8%
• 5-year home value change (%): +43.8%

• September 2025 average home value: $3,948,216
• 1-year home value change (%): +1.5%
• 5-year home value change (%): +52.3%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,329,961
• 1-year home value change (%): +0.5%
• 5-year home value change (%): +58.4%

• September 2025 average home value: $348,758
• 1-year home value change (%): +3.3%
• 5-year home value change (%): +41.8%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,399,419
• 1-year home value change (%): +2.0%
• 5-year home value change (%): +55.3%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,723,747
• 1-year home value change (%): +1.1%
• 5-year home value change (%): +61.3%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,410,192
• 1-year home value change (%): +1.8%
• 5-year home value change (%): +58.1%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,343,153
• 1-year home value change (%): +2.1%
• 5-year home value change (%): +61.1%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,782,821
• 1-year home value change (%): +0.3%
• 5-year home value change (%): +75.5%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,585,152
• 1-year home value change (%): +1.0%
• 5-year home value change (%): +71.8%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,302,453
• 1-year home value change (%): +1.1%
• 5-year home value change (%): +73.4%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,848,889
• 1-year home value change (%): +2.2%
• 5-year home value change (%): +69.3%

• September 2025 average home value: $383,908
• 1-year home value change (%): +7.0%
• 5-year home value change (%): +44.3%

• September 2025 average home value: $379,072
• 1-year home value change (%): +7.1%
• 5-year home value change (%): +44.5%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,651,220
• 1-year home value change (%): +2.0%
• 5-year home value change (%): +76.7%

• September 2025 average home value: $4,067,554
• 1-year home value change (%): +3.3%
• 5-year home value change (%): +71.5%

• September 2025 average home value: $1,832,070
• 1-year home value change (%): +2.4%
• 5-year home value change (%): +81.1%

Image disclaimer: Photos are for representational purposes only and don’t necessarily depict the specific location mentioned.

Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates analyzed only California cities ranked among Zillow’s 2,500 largest housing markets. To qualify, each city had to show both 1-year and 5-year home value growth above the national average. These growth rates were scored and combined, with lower scores indicating stronger performance. The analysis uses Zillow’s September 2025 data, current as of November 3, 2025.