Have you felt relieved looking at the price tags in Victorville, a bit further inland from LA?

The median home price in the High Desert area is estimated to be around $430,000 by 2026.

Compared to other cities in Southern California, this price range is quite accessible.

You might be thinking it over thoroughly. Let's look at the numbers. If you put a 20% down payment on a $430,000 home, that's $86,000, leaving a loan principal of $344,000.

With a 30-year fixed mortgage at an interest rate of 6.75%, the principal and interest payment would be $2,231 per month.

Adding property tax (assuming 1.1% annually) of $394 per month and insurance of $133 per month, the total monthly housing cost would be about $2,759. You'll definitely feel that this is much more manageable compared to LA or Orange County.

Using the DTI 28% rule, the required monthly income would be $9,852, which translates to an annual income of $118,229. This is around $118,000, making it a reachable goal for a professional or a dual-income middle-class family.

The median household income in San Bernardino County is estimated to be around $70,000 according to the 2024 census. Compared to the required annual income of $118,000, the gap is about 1.7 times, which is much narrower than the gaps seen in nearby cities in LA.

This suggests that with diligent saving and a slight increase in income, it's realistically attainable.

When compared to nearby cities, Victorville's position becomes clearer. Commuter cities towards LA or Ontario are much more expensive, while areas like Apple Valley or Hesperia tend to be similar or slightly cheaper. While the commute distance may increase, the threshold for homeownership becomes lower.

For Korean households, the market appears attractive even without dual incomes. If one partner earns between $60,000 and $70,000 and the other works part-time, many can come close to the $118,000 target.

However, it's important to carefully consider commute distances and living infrastructure. If you maintain a job in downtown LA while living in Victorville, you should be aware that commute times can be quite long.

Check the actual property prices on Zillow and Redfin, and I recommend using the Bankrate calculator to verify the monthly payment that fits your income.