In Less Than a Decade, These Will Be the Most Affordable West Coast Cities To Live
Written by
Yaël Bizouati-Kennedy
Edited by
Daria Uhlig
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The cost of living has been eating at Americans’ savings across the country. Sticky inflation combined with exploding rates have been taking a toll on many consumers.
And this is even more acute in certain pockets of the country.
For instance, GOBankingRates recently compiled data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Affairs 2022 Regional Price Parities release to see how far $100 will go in America’s most expensive places. The survey found that eight out of the top 10 cities in which $100 is worth the least are in one state: California, as GOBankingRates recently reported.
Yet, some experts say that in less than a decade, some cities on the West Coast will become affordable.
“Today’s pricing levels give some insight into markets that may be the most affordable in the next decade,” said Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale.
Bakersfield, California
- Median home sale price: $399,500, according to Realtor.com
“Get the beauty and sunshine of California without the California prices,” said Scott Lieberman, founder of Touchdown Money. You can still purchase a small starter home here for under $275,000.
Visalia, California
- Median home sale price: $389,500, according to Realtor.com
“Home shoppers who are OK being a few hours away from the coast will find relative affordability in California markets such as Bakersfield, Visalia and Freson,” said Hale.
Fresno, California
- Median home sale price: $425,000, according to Realtor.com
Like Bakersfield, Fresno is warm and affordable.
It’s also beautiful — the Forestiere Underground Gardens are located here, Lieberman said, and the Wawona entrance to Yosemite National Park is less than two hours away.
Salem, Oregon
- Median home sale price: $417,500, according to Realtor.com
Hale added that another city that will become even more affordable — for those looking to be a bit closer to the coast — is Salem, which is just an hour’s drive inland.
Vancouver, Washington
- Median home sale price: $509,800, according to Realtor.com
Portland’s neighbor across the Columbia River offers an ideal situation for residents in that Washington has no state income tax.
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