If you're looking for affordable, middle-class living conditions, steer clear of Silicon Valley.
At least, that's what a ranking of ZIP codes by home value indicates.
Consumer credit watchdog Credit Karma found that the priciest digs were clustered around the heart of the U.S. tech industry in northern California, as well as exclaves of ostentatious wealth in southern California and on New York's Long Island.
Credit Karma ranked locations by their 12-month average median home value.
In finding the most expensive ZIP codes, Credit Karma also ranked the cheapest, finding that most of the lowest-cost areas were in West Virginia and nearby counties in Kentucky and Virginia, with another pocket of areas with extremely low home prices residing astride the Mississippi River in Arkanasas and Mississippi. The cheapest ZIP code in the country, by home value, is 24736, which covers Lashmeet, W. Va. and other nearby communities in the state's rugged, sparsely populated Appalachian highlands.
Credit Karma also looked at where home prices are rising the fastest, a sign of the most in-demand locations across the U.S. In their ranking, eight of the 10 ZIP codes with the fastest-rising home prices are in Ohio, with 44606, the zipcode for Apple Creek, Ohio, a small community between Columbus and Akron, rising the fastest, by 66.2% over the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2023.
10. 92661 - Newport Beach, Calif.
Nestled along the Orange County coast in southern California, Newport Beach is a wealth management powerhouse, home to major firms like PIMCO and Pacific Life Insurance. It's also a magnet for wealth private citizens, with a $4.2 million average median home value over the 12 months ending Sept. 30, representing a 20.5% increase over that period. That makes already pricey Newport Beach the fastest rising zipcode by home value on our top 10 list.
9. 94957 - Ross, Calif.
Ross, a town of around 2,500 people, is in the northern San Francisco Bay area's Marin County, adjacent to San Rafael. With a median home value of around $4.3 million, a 14.8% increase over the past 12 months, Ross's blend of rural living with a relatively short commute to San Francisco has boosted its popularity.
8. 94301 - Palo Alto, Calif.
Home prices are at near a standstill in Palo Alto, home to Stanford University and the gateway to Silicon Valley. In fact, they have declined, albeit at a very mild 0.01%, over the past 12 months, settling at a median of $4.3 million over the past 12 months.
7. 94970 - Stinson Beach, Calif.
Another San Francisco Bay area community, Stinson Beach is not in Silicon Valley but on California's stunning Marin County coastline. The hamlet is a popular escape for San Francisco residents, sitting a little more than 30 minutes from the northern approaches of Golden Gate Bridge. Stinson Beach has a $4.5 million median home value, with prices rising 13.9% over the past 12 months.
6. 94022 - Los Altos Hills, Calif.
Los Altos Hills is a Silicon Valley exurb on the verge of Palo Alto, Stanford and Mountain View, centrally locating it near the headquarters of companies like Tesla and one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning the U.S. has to offer. Those amenities go some way to explaining its $4.5 million median home price.
5. 93108 - Montecito, Calif.
Home to beautiful botanic gardens and Spanish revival architecture, this southern California locale boasted a median home value of $4.6 million. Over the past year, Montecito's housing market has been red-hot, with its 17.3% rise bested on this top 10 list only by Newport Beach.
4. 90402 - Santa Monica, Calif.
Another entry from southern California, Santa Monica is home to firms like Activision Blizzard, Universal Music Group and Hulu. The 12-month median home value was $4.8 million. with home prices rising 5.2% over the past year.
3. 11962 - Sagaponack, N.Y.
Located in Long Island's Hamptons, Sagaponack has the only ZIP code in the top 10 outside of California, with a 12-month median home value of $5.8 million and home prices rising 8.7% over the past year.
2. 90210 - Beverly Hills, Calif.
Arguably the most famous ZIP code on this list thanks to an eponymous, teen-oriented show from the 1990s, 90210 had a 12-month average median home value of $5.99 million as of Sept. 30, with home values rising 4.1% over the past year.
1. 94027 - Atherton, Calif.
Atherton has the highest median home prices in the U.S., which should come as little surprise as over the past 33 years it has generally also had one of the highest per capita incomes in the U.S. At $7.7 million, Atherton soars above its competitors in median home values, though there has been comparatively little change in those prices over the past 12 months.
The full report can be viewed here.
