Where can I buy a home in CA for less than $300K? See counties with lowest prices

California's median home price dropped slightly to $899,560 in June 2025, with a 0.1% decrease from May and June 2024. Mortgage rates average 6.88%, keeping demand soft. The market is becoming more balanced, with increased inventory and more seller negotiations. Most affordable homes are in Northern California and the Central Valley, while the Bay Area has the highest prices, with counties like San Mateo and Santa Clara exceeding $2 million.