Many cities on the West Coast are known for their high cost of living, but this doesn’t mean every city is too expensive for future homeowners. Our in-house analysis has revealed there are 20 hidden gems in California, Oregon and Washington with affordable real estate.
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To determine the nation’s hidden gem housing markets, GOBankingRates analyzed data from Zillow, AreaVibes, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Reserve. We weighted each city based on ranking in various categories, like livability index and median household income, to determine the best-kept secrets in housing.
See which West Coast cities ranked among the top hidden gems for their housing markets.
1. Blythe, California
- Median household income: $51,984
- Average monthly mortgage: $1,332
- Livability: 71
- Average home value in city: $232,672
- Average home value in state: $798,043
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2. Aberdeen, Washington
- Median household income: $52,181
- Average monthly mortgage: $1,620
- Livability: 80
- Average home value in city: $282,994
- Average home value in state: $621,316
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3. Central Point, Oregon
- Median household income: $80,450
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,405
- Livability: 90
- Average home value in city: $420,175
- Average home value in state: $512,882
4. Ridgecrest, California
- Median household income: $88,107
- Average monthly mortgage: $1,568
- Livability: 70
- Average home value in city: $273,927
- Average home value in state: $798,043
5. Spokane Valley, Washington
- Median household income: $70,722
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,409
- Livability: 85
- Average home value in city: $420,821
- Average home value in state: $621,316
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6. Hanford, California
- Median household income: $73,544
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,147
- Livability: 75
- Average home value in city: $375,055
- Average home value in state: $798,043
7. Pullman, Washington
- Median household income: $45,097
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,514
- Livability: 86
- Average home value in city: $439,271
- Average home value in state: $621,316
8. Redding, California
- Median household income: $69,443
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,260
- Livability: 75
- Average home value in city: $394,762
- Average home value in state: $798,043
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9. Merced, California
- Median household income: $59,938
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,294
- Livability: 75
- Average home value in city: $400,681
- Average home value in state: $798,043
10. Cottage Grove, Oregon
- Median household income: $64,133
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,290
- Livability: 86
- Average home value in city: $400,062
- Average home value in state: $512,882
11. Yuba City, California
- Median household income: $72,322
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,565
- Livability: 76
- Average home value in city: $448,134
- Average home value in state: $798,043
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12. Pasco, Washington
- Median household income: $81,130
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,403
- Livability: 81
- Average home value in city: $419,779
- Average home value in state: $621,316
13. Spokane, Washington
- Median household income: $65,745
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,339
- Livability: 81
- Average home value in city: $408,547
- Average home value in state: $621,316
14. Clovis, California
- Median household income: $100,360
- Average monthly mortgage: $3,000
- Livability: 78
- Average home value in city: $524,023
- Average home value in state: $798,043
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15. Yakima, Washington
- Median household income: $59,228
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,102
- Livability: 79
- Average home value in city: $367,265
- Average home value in state: $621,316
16. Visalia, California
- Median household income: $79,952
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,279
- Livability: 72
- Average home value in city: $398,145
- Average home value in state: $798,043
17. El Centro, California
- Median household income: $56,093
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,168
- Livability: 72
- Average home value in city: $378,727
- Average home value in state: $798,043
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18. Bremerton, Washington
- Median household income: $74,399
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,802
- Livability: 84
- Average home value in city: $489,453
- Average home value in state: $621,316
19. Lacey, Washington
- Median household income: $87,277
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,953
- Livability: 84
- Average home value in city: $515,826
- Average home value in state: $621,316
20. East Wenatchee, Washington
- Median household income: $81,050
- Average monthly mortgage: $2,940
- Livability: 84
- Average home value in city: $513,641
- Average home value in state: $621,316
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Photo disclaimer: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city/county mentioned in the article was used.
Methodology: GOBankingRates used data from Zillow Home Value Index to find cities with an average single-family home value $50,000 below the statewide average home value. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes and all cities with a livability below 70 were removed as they represent a lower quality of life. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and using the national average expenditure costs as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs were calculated for each city. Assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living was calculated for each city. The median household income was scored and weighted at 1.00, the average mortgage cost was scored and weighted at 1.00, the difference from a statewide home value was scored and sourced from 2.00, and the livability index was scored and sourced at 2.00. All the scores were summed and sorted to show the best hidden gem housing markets of 2025. All data is current as of Sept. 2, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Best West Coast Hidden Gem Housing Markets of 2025
