Top 5 Bay Area Cities Where Affordability Meets Quality of Life
The dream of owning a home in or near the city that has your heart, in this case the Bay Area, is driven by your why. Why does the idea of purchasing a home continue to pop into your head? Is it to give your family more space? To purchase assets to pass down for generations to come? Or, simply just to earn the title homeowner?
Regardless of your why, if you have one, it’s time to get serious about your next home purchase in the Bay Area. While the idea of turning your day dream into a reality can stir up all the emotions - excitement, anxiety, a sense of pride, and so much more - there is no more rewarding feeling than taking the jump. As your real estate connector I can help you find the right home, in the right area, for the right price. Location can influence many factors from availability to price, but it can also impact your day-to-day lifestyle and commute. Working with a trusted real estate agent that is knowledgeable about the Bay Area can make all the difference in finding the place you call home.
Read on as we explore the top 5 most affordable Bay Area cities.
Vallejo, California
The breathtaking waterfront city of Vallejo, California is the most affordable place to live in the Bay Area. With an average sales price of $540,000, you can discover homes with more to offer compared to nearby cities, without compromising a safe sense of community. It’s all about finding the right neighborhood. You will soon understand why Vallejo, California is a rapidly growing city for residential and commercial real estate.
Location & Accessibility:
Located in Solano County, Vallejo is about 30 miles north of San Francisco and 45 miles southwest of Sacramento. The quiet and beautiful city is filled with wholesome people, proud to call Vallejo home. Vallejo residents can enjoy a smaller town feel while still being close to the big cities. Surrounded by highway and rail systems, residents can get where they need to go. As surrounding communities outprice buyers, Vallejo continues to attract them thanks to its affordability and accessibility.
Affordability:
Vallejo, California is the most affordable place to live in the Bay Area. With an average sales price of $540,000, buyers have the opportunity to scale their home purchase. Vallejo is a great place for buyers to purchase a first home, in hopes of upgrading down the road. The growing city is bound to continue to attract businesses and residents, fostering growth and opportunity for homeowners.
Community & Amenities:
Vallejo offers a dense suburban feel with local amenities such as museums, parks, wineries, cultural attractions, and a historic downtown. Some favorite local spots are Vallejo Waterfront Park, Mare Island Preserve, Glen Cove Marina, Children’s Wonderland, and the Vallejo Community Center.
Economic Opportunities:
Opportunity awaits in Vallejo, California. With targeted industries such as high-tech, biotech, light manufacturing, medical professional companies, and more establishing roots in Vallejo, you can own a home in a growing city. Who knows, you may even end up working here too, saying goodbye to your commute. There’s no shortage of opportunity in Vallejo, especially for homeowners.
San Pablo, California
San Pablo, California is filled with parks and plenty of outdoor activities from hiking to fishing. It offers residents an urban suburban mix with plenty of everyday conveniences and attractions nearby. With a similar average sales price compared to Vallejo, California, prospective home buyers can get a little closer to San Francisco by living in San Pablo. They can also enjoy a smaller city, with about ¼ of the population of Vallejo, California. Located less than 20 miles from San Francisco, San Pablo is one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the region.
Location & Accessibility:
San Pablo is located in Contra Costa County. Nestled off Interstate 80, it offers close proximity to popular cities such as Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. It’s also about one hour from international airports Oakland and San Francisco. San Pablo offers a little more accessibility compared to Vallejo, along with a similar average home price. San Pablo is located near the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Amtrak train service. Residents can also access the AC Transit bus line.
Affordability:
San Pablo is still one of the more affordable Bay Area cities to call home. As the residential and business community continues to grow, the future is bright for those who settle in San Pablo.
Community & Amenities:
San Pablo has a much smaller population with plenty of outdoor activities for residents and visitors. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, or simply enjoy spending time outside, and a smaller town feel, San Pablo may be the perfect place to call home.
Economic Opportunities:
Similar to the other cities on our list, residents can benefit from a thriving residential and business community.
Concord, California
Similar to San Pablo, Concord, California is also located in Contra Costa County. While it has a slightly higher average sales price than San Pablo and Vallejo and a slightly farther proximity from San Francisco, people fall in love with the dense suburban community. From farmer’s markets to fine dining and shopping malls, Concord, California offers residents plenty of amenities and a strong sense of community.
Location & Accessibility:
Located 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, Concord is the biggest city in Contra Costa County. For those who thrive off a faster pace community, Concord, California may be a perfect match. Plus it’s close to the BART and offers local bus services and County Connection.
Affordability:
The average sales price of a home in Concord, California is $680,000; an average price that’s still appealing to many. Concord offers the appeal of a more dense community with plenty of things to do, without breaking the bank. If you’re struggling to afford other Bay Area cities, but desire a city-like feel, Concord may be just the place.
Community & Amenities:
Concord, California offers plenty of amenities including hiking, outdoor concerts, farmer’s markets, shopping malls, fine dining, and more. With access to plenty of things to do, you can lessen the need to leave the city. For those craving a smaller town feel, San Pablo or Vallejo may be better options.
Economic Opportunities:
Concord, California demonstrates steady growth in business and residential communities, with land available for new development. It’s a desirable Bay Area city to invest in your very own home to live in or potentially even rent out one day.
Alameda, California
The diverse community of Alameda, California is more expensive than our first three cities, but still more affordable than most other cities in the Bay Area. Residents can enjoy majestic ocean views, gourmet restaurants, and an upscale beachy vibe. With low crime and highly rated schools, Alameda is a wonderful choice for families.
Location & Accessibility:
Alameda is a tight knit community with a commute time of about 45 minutes to downtown San Francisco. The city has access to three ferry terminals; Alameda Seaplane Ferry Terminal, Main Street Ferry Terminal, and Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal.
- Alameda Seaplane Ferry Terminal and Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal: Weekday service to the San Francisco Ferry Building
- Main Street Ferry Terminal: Weekday and weekend service to the San Francisco Ferry Building and Oakland Ferry Terminal
Affordability:
The city of Alameda has an average sales price of $1 million dollars. While the cost of living in Alameda is higher than some other Bay Area cities, it’s an easy city to fall in love with. Compared to cities like San Francisco and Berkeley, it’s still a more affordable city.
Community & Amenities:
Alameda is a beach city with breathtaking ocean views and plenty of things to do. From walking to wind-surfing, if you love being outdoors Alameda has just the surroundings for you. Residents love their tight knit community, gathering at local parks, beaches, and all the community has to offer.
Economic Opportunities:
Alameda, California offers tremendous opportunity for businesses and residents. Its growing economy continues to produce an increasing number of jobs, alongside steadily rising home prices. Alameda can be a great place to invest in a home.
Oakland, California
Oakland, California is the fourth most ethnically diverse city across the nation. It’s also a city filled with culture, local attractions, incredible history, Victorian style homes, good eats, and a strong sense of community. People love Oakland. With an average sales price of $923,152 it can offer good value for families in the market for a home.
Location & Accessibility:
Oakland is located just 8 miles from San Francisco, with a road distance of about 10.8 miles. Of course the specifics can vary depending on your route and location. You can drive, take the ferry, or ride the BART.
Affordability:
Oakland is located close to San Francisco and offers a much more affordable average home price. While it may be considered expensive compared to the national average, the Bay Area is a highly desirable area. Most cities are going to have a higher cost of living compared to the national average. In return though, residents get to own real estate and live in a desirable city with beautiful weather year-round.
Community & Amenities:
Oakland is home to various colleges, the Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space and Science Center, and more. The rich cultural scene, close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and mix or urban and suburban feel attract residents alike that love their city.
Economic Opportunities:
Oakland is a hub for health, transportation, and logistics. In addition it continues to expand its footprint in arts, green energy, food production, and more. The growing community can offer prosperous opportunities for entrepreneurs, employees, and families of all kinds.
