Housing in California is expensive due to high demand and low supply. With strong demand from millennials and retirees drawn to California’s warm climate, the limited supply of housing has driven up property values. This situation has made it increasingly difficult for many people to find affordable homes in California.
Have you ever asked yourself why housing prices in California are so unbelievably high? If you’re a California resident or considering moving to the Golden State, you may be feeling the sting of these exorbitant prices.
It seems like no matter where you look, the cost of living in California is skyrocketing, and housing is no exception.
The median price of a home in California is over $700,000, and rent prices are also relatively high. But why is this the case?
There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of housing in California, such as limited housing supply, high demand, and strict regulations.
In this blog post, we’ll explore these factors in more detail and show you why the cost of housing in California is so expensive.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of the housing market in California and what you can do to navigate it.
So, let’s dive in!
8 Reasons Why Homes Are Expensive in California
1. Limited Supply of Land
Houses in California are exceptionally pricey, with the average cost exceeding $700,000, two times the national average.
The primary reason for this high cost is the limited supply of land available for development in the state. The demand for housing in California far exceeds the available land, which drives up the prices.
To make matters worse, the state has stringent environmental regulations that make it cumbersome and expensive to build new homes. These regulations limit the supply of land even further, resulting in higher prices.
2. Higher Demand for Housing
Housing in California is expensive because there are more people than there are homes available. This means that people are willing to pay more for a place to live.
Popular cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are especially expensive because they are in high demand and have limited space for new homes.
Another reason for the high cost of housing is the price of land. Since so much of California is already developed, there is not much room for new construction.
This means that builders have to pay a lot for land, which makes the homes they build more expensive.
California also has strict rules about building homes to protect the environment. This means that developers have to use materials that are not harmful to the environment and follow strict guidelines.
While these rules are good for the environment, they also make it more expensive to build new homes.
3. Difficulty Getting Housing Projects Approved
In California, getting approval for housing projects is a tough and time-consuming process. It involves making significant changes to plans, which means only a small number of proposed projects actually get built.
This shortage of new housing drives up prices, making it tough for many Californians to find affordable places to live. Although some efforts have been made to speed up the approval process, these have had only a small effect on prices so far.
Without significant changes to the system, California’s residents will probably continue to struggle with high housing costs.
Some of the processes include:
- There are numerous agencies to contact, such as fire departments, health departments, housing authorities, the city council, and so on. Each has its own set of paperwork and fees.
- Existing residents are opposed. California law allows them to express their dissatisfaction with the prospect of new housing developments. These can range from legitimate to people who are concerned about long-term construction.
- The California Environmental Quality Act’s mandated environmental review adds 2+ years to the approval process for new housing developments.
4. Expensive Construction Cost
The reason why houses are so expensive in California is due to the expensive construction costs. These costs are high because of several factors, such as expensive labor, materials, land, and strict regulations.
One of the main factors contributing to high construction costs is the expensive labor in California. Due to the state’s strong economy and low unemployment rate, the cost of labor is relatively high.
Another factor is the expensive materials used in construction in California. This is due to higher taxes and transportation costs, which make the materials more expensive than in other parts of the country.
Furthermore, California has some of the strictest building codes and regulations in the nation. This makes the construction process more complicated and time-consuming, leading to higher costs.
5. Higher Property Tax Rates
One reason why houses in California are so expensive is due to higher property tax rates. In 1978, Proposition 13 was passed which limits the property tax rate in California to only 1% of a home’s assessed value.
This assessed value can only increase by a maximum of 2% per year, even if the market value of the property increases significantly.
This has led to unintended consequences, such as discouraging homeowners from selling their homes because they would have to pay higher property taxes on their new homes.
This has resulted in less turnover in the housing market, which causes prices to continue to rise. Furthermore, Proposition 13 has made it challenging for local governments to fund essential infrastructure projects as they rely on property taxes to finance these projects.
6. Presence of Large Corporations
These businesses need a lot of space to operate, and they are willing to pay a high price for it, which drives up the cost of land and rental properties. This makes it harder for families and individuals to find an affordable place to live.
Moreover, many of these corporations are located in urban areas where space is already scarce, causing the price of living to skyrocket even more. This puts a significant strain on those who are already struggling to make ends meet.
While having large corporations in California is good for the state’s economy, it also has its drawbacks. The high cost of living can make it challenging for people to get by, especially for those who are on a tight budget.
7. Beautiful Weather and Climate
This state is renowned for its beautiful weather and climate, which makes it a desirable destination for many.
With an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and an average rainfall of 22 inches per year, California’s mild climate makes it a comfortable place to live without the need for air conditioning or heating, thus reducing energy costs.
California’s diverse geography and large size also provide many options for outdoor activities, which means less need for expensive indoor amenities.
As a result of the state’s ideal climate, there is a high demand for housing in California, which drives up prices. The cost of living is high in California due to the state’s popularity and the limited availability of land for new construction.
The combination of mild temperatures and low rainfall makes California an expensive place to live, making housing costs a major factor in the state’s high cost of living.
8. Strict Building and Environmental Regulations
These regulations make it more expensive to build new housing developments by requiring builders to meet higher construction standards.
Additionally, much of the state’s land has been set aside for conservation, limiting the amount of space available for new construction. This has led to an increased demand for housing, driving up prices and making it more difficult for many Californians to find affordable housing.
While these regulations are important to protect the environment, they have also had a significant impact on the cost of housing in the state.