California Dominates List of Costliest U.S. ZIP Codes
The state accounts for over half of the 122 most expensive housing markets in the nation this year.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Residential
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California remains the most expensive state for homebuyers, claiming 69 of the 122 most costly ZIP codes in the country for 2026. Los Angeles County leads the state with 15 featured ZIP codes, reporting a median sales price of $2.8 million.
Why it matters
The concentration of high-priced markets across the state highlights the ongoing premium placed on California real estate compared to the rest of the nation. These figures underscore significant housing affordability hurdles for residents seeking homes in these top-tier areas.
Atherton 94027 maintains its status as the nation's most expensive ZIP code with a median price of $10.7 million. Beverly Hills 90210 ranks as the priciest area within Los Angeles County at $5.4 million.
The players
PropertyShark
PropertyShark is a real estate data provider that tracks property pricing and market trends for residential and commercial sectors.
The details
PropertyShark compiled this list using median sales data from houses, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes sold between January and September 2026. To qualify, each ZIP code was required to have at least five recorded sales during this nine-month tracking period.
Timeline
January 2026 through September 2026 marks the period for tracking sales data.
2026 is the current annual ranking period.
2019 serves as a benchmark for California's historical share of the priciest ZIPs.
Culture Shift
The PropertyShark annual costliest ZIP code rankings provide a clear look at how housing values have evolved across the state compared to the rest of the country. This latest data shows a slight decline in California's total dominance compared to 2019 when the state held 73% of these markets.
Homebuyers in these areas should prepare for elevated costs and intense competition, as these ZIP codes represent the most expensive real estate in the country. Understanding these price tiers helps residents better gauge their purchasing power within the current housing market.
The takeaway
Prospective buyers in high-cost California markets should prioritize getting pre-approved to navigate these price levels effectively. Prospective residents should also monitor local sales velocity in their specific ZIP codes to better time their entry into the market.
Further reading
For more information on the state's housing market, visit Residential.
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Is the high cost of housing in your area a sign of prosperity or an affordability crisis?
