It seems that Korean families considering a move to Sacramento have similar reasons these days.

They say that home prices in California have risen so much that they are now truly unaffordable. I've heard quite a few people say, "Looking at Sacramento home prices, it feels like there's a bit of relief."

As of May 2026, the median home sale price in Sacramento is about $500,000 according to Redfin, and the average home value is around $465,000 according to Zillow. So, I calculated based on a house priced at $480,000, which is roughly in the middle.

If you make a 20% down payment, you'll need about $96,000, and you'll be borrowing the remaining $384,000. Assuming a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of about 6.75%, the total monthly payment for principal and interest would be around $2,491. Adding property taxes of about $500 and home insurance of about $150, the total monthly housing cost comes to about $3,140.

Of course, this is not a small amount. However, when you look at home prices in Southern California, it does make you think, "This amount might be worth considering."

Generally, if housing costs are calculated to be no more than 28% of monthly income, you would need a monthly income of about $11,200, which translates to an annual salary of about $135,000. The median household income in Sacramento is about $87,000, and the county's overall income is around $92,000, so it's still not easy to buy a home.

However, compared to Southern California, the situation is completely different. In places like Pasadena, similar calculations show that an annual income of over $300,000 is needed, and in Rowland Heights, you would need an income in the high $200,000s. Even for dual-income couples working hard, buying a single home is quite a challenge.

On the other hand, in Sacramento, if a couple has a combined annual income of around $130,000 to $140,000, they can realistically consider purchasing a home in the median price range. There are many jobs in state and public agencies, and it's not an area where land is completely scarce like Southern California, which seems to help keep home prices somewhat stable.

In fact, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in Korean families moving from LA or Orange County. Many people want to have slightly larger homes while reducing their cost of living.

However, this doesn't mean that you should rush to buy in Sacramento right now. There has been a trend of home prices decreasing by about 5% over the past year. In fact, during such times, it's better to take your time and look at interest rates and property prices together rather than rushing.

If you're feeling too exhausted by home prices in Southern California, I would recommend visiting Sacramento to explore the neighborhoods and check out a few homes. These days, there aren't many cities in California where an average dual-income family can realistically buy a home, but I believe Sacramento is one of those options.