4 Places in California Where You Can Buy Homes for $100,000 or Less

Mobile home park, age-restricted (55+) community in small beach town in California.
Nature, food, landscape, travel / Getty Images

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

It’s no secret that California is one of the most expensive places to buy a home. The average California house is valued at $786,938 per Zillow, up 7.2% from a year ago.

In addition to skyrocketing home prices, there are other costs to consider. Property taxes in California rest at a median of $4,279 a year, according to CNBC.  Homeowners insurance is another must-have expense that is pricey. As Policy Genius outlined, California residents can expect to pay roughly $1,383 annually, or $115 a month. Plus, there’s the maintenance and upkeep every year — and these costs can rack up to almost $17,000 annually, Porch reported. And that astounding figure doesn’t include utilities.

Finding affordable housing is challenging in California. Fortunately, affordable options exist for those who dream of making the Golden State their home. In a select few locales, you can find mobile homes priced at $100,000 or less, offering a glimmer of hope for those seeking budget-friendly housing on the West Coast.

Desert Hot Springs

Located a few minutes outside Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs has several turnkey manufactured homes available for sale, according to LandWatch, ranging in price from $55,000 to $95,000. The Southern California town is known for its natural healing waters and mineral springs, nice golf courses, a plethora of spas, and close proximity to Joshua Tree National Park. Currently, the mobile homes for sale in Desert Hot Springs are one-bedroom and one-bathroom, varying in size and located in a community with tennis courts and golfing.

Wofford Heights

Known for its stunning views of Lake Isabella, Wofford Heights is a small town in Kern County — ideal for retirees, budget-conscious residents and outdoor enthusiasts. The area boasts great hiking trails, is near Alta Sierra Ski Resort and Terrain Park, and is situated just a few miles from Kern River. It’s also a cheap place to live, with mobile home prices ranging from $75,000 to $98,000 per LandWatch. 

Lake Isabella

The town of Lake Isabella, nestled in the stunning Sierra Mountains, offers breathtaking scenery and endless outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, camping, windsurfing and more. It’s six miles from Wofford Heights, and it’s also cost-effective. You can find a mobile home from $55,000 to $90,000, according to LandWatch. The peaceful mountain town is a year-round tourist spot and is considered a great location to retire due to its affordability and community. 

Lancaster

One hour north of Los Angeles is Lancaster, a close-knit city with economic growth and a low cost of living. This community-focused area offers a range of affordable housing options, making it an ideal place to call home. According to LandWatch, mobile homes for sale start at $80,000, and if you’re lucky, you can find one for that price with five acres. Lancaster is a quiet city with an average of 172,000 residents and is ideal for families, retirees, and anyone looking for affordable housing.

BEFORE YOU GO

See Today's Best
Banking Offers

Looks like you're using an adblocker

Please disable your adblocker to enjoy the optimal web experience and access the quality content you appreciate from GOBankingRates.

  • AdBlock / uBlock / Brave
    1. Click the ad blocker extension icon to the right of the address bar
    2. Disable on this site
    3. Refresh the page
  • Firefox / Edge / DuckDuckGo
    1. Click on the icon to the left of the address bar
    2. Disable Tracking Protection
    3. Refresh the page
  • Ghostery
    1. Click the blue ghost icon to the right of the address bar
    2. Disable Ad-Blocking, Anti-Tracking, and Never-Consent
    3. Refresh the page