The median home price in Monterey, CA for 2026 is projected to be between approximately $875,000 and $1,145,000, with significant variations depending on the data source and the time of aggregation. To summarize, the Monterey housing market is showing a slight increase in inventory and a shift towards a buyer's market compared to 2025, but the median price remains high, around the $1 million mark.

According to Redfin data as of February 2026, the median sale price is about $1,125,000. In contrast, Houzeo's data for the same month shows a median of $1,145,000, reflecting a dramatic increase of 54.73% year-over-year. This spike can be interpreted as a result of a few large transactions in the luxury home market, where the number of sales is low. Moving into March 2026, Redfin reports a median price of $875,000, which is a 31.1% decrease compared to the same month last year. This is also a result of the base effect of the comparison period and changes in the composition of transactions, indicating that the actual prices have not fluctuated drastically but rather reflect the statistical characteristics of a volatile high-end market.

In terms of inventory, as of February 2026, there are about 48 listings in the city of Monterey, with a months of supply figure of 1.17 months. Expanding to Monterey County, the inventory of single-family homes has increased by 1.3% year-over-year to 318 homes (as of March 5, 2026). While a 5-10% increase in inventory is anticipated, the absolute numbers remain low, indicating that the supply shortage trend has not significantly changed.

The buying conditions and market temperature are also noteworthy. As of 2026, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering in the mid-6% range, and homes in Monterey are selling after an average of 76 days on the market at 95.64% of the asking price. The percentage of homes sold above the asking price has dropped to 8.33%, down from 16.67% the previous year, while the proportion of price-reduced listings has increased from 75% to 83.33%. Unlike the previous year, which favored sellers, 2026 is characterized by stronger buyer negotiation power.

• Median sale price in February 2026: approximately $1,125,000 (Redfin)
• Median sale price in February 2026: approximately $1,145,000 (Houzeo, year-over-year +54.73%)
• Median sale price in March 2026: approximately $875,000 (Redfin, year-over-year -31.1%)
• Months of supply: 1.17 months (as of February 2026)
• Average days on market: 76 days
• Sale price to asking price ratio: 95.64%
• Proportion of price-reduced listings: 83.33%

In conclusion, the Monterey real estate market is maintaining high price levels around $1 million while entering a phase in 2026 where transaction speeds are slowing and buyer negotiation power is increasing. The pace of inventory growth is gradual, but sellers are facing greater price adjustment pressures. Whether for investment or personal residence, it is important to cross-check figures from multiple sources, considering the significant fluctuations in short-term data.

(Sources: Redfin, Houzeo, Zillow, Movoto, as of 2026 / This article does not constitute investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with a professional before making any actual contracts.)