Owning a home can feel out of reach for many buyers, particularly in high-cost California. But tucked into the mountains of the state’s far north, Trinity County continues to stand out as a rare pocket of affordability, with a median home price of about $250,000.
The northwestern California county is known for its quiet forests, rugged scenery and small-town pace. Though Trinity County is roughly the size of Delaware, it is home to just around 13,700 people.
“In lieu of crowds or traffic jams, you’ll find the vastly beautiful Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, the Wild and Scenic Trinity River and all the outdoor recreation opportunities you could ask for,” the state’s tourism website says.
New figures from the California Association of Realtors show that even as mortgage rates stayed high in July, Trinity County remained one of the more attainable places in the state for homebuyers.
“The area is really beautiful and is a well-kept secret for California. It’s just that it’s very rural and hard to get to,” Daniel Amodeo, president of Amo Realty in California, told Our News Outlet.
Amodeo said his company, which handles buying and selling in Trinity County, has fielded inquiries from prospective buyers interested in land there — many of them asking why prices remain so low.
The gap is striking when compared with the broader California housing market. In July, the average price for a single-family home across the state was $887,000.
Trinity County is a heavily forested, serene part of northwestern California. Pictured above is the Trinity Alps
The county is currently the cheapest area to purchase a home in California, with a median home price of $250,000
There are several homes on the market, including a log cabin in Weaverville for just $310,000
Trinity County’s home prices are also significantly below the national average, with a median sale price of $408,776 in June, according to Redfin data.
The affordable price is even more shocking when compared with the most expensive area in California, the San Francisco Bay Area, which had an average home price of $1,285,000 in July, up from $1,400,000 in June.
The Central Coast also had an average home price of over $1 million, and the median price in the Los Angeles Metro Area was $849,450.
Even in the Far North region, where prices are lower, Trinity still remained the least expensive, with neighboring counties averaging between $266,750 and $450,000.
Amodeo explained that Trinity County is ‘almost an entirely different’ market from the rest of the Golden State.
‘Its rural location, small population, limited jobs, and distance from any major commercial centers all help keep housing demand – and prices – significantly lower than in coastal and the metropolises of California,’ adding that it is a ‘supply and demand issue.’
He said the median home price seems unbelievable for California, but noted it comes with tradeoffs.
Amodeo explained that the rural county is far from amenities and the job market is limited. However, remote workers looking for a serene escape may find the perfect home in Trinity.
Buyers can purchase sprawling homes overlooking the mountains for shockingly low prices if they are willing to give up city amenities
This property on Button Road is under $400,000, but has priceless views of the Northern Californian wilderness
Buyers looking to purchase property in Trinity, like the Button Road listing above, have to be willing to live a rural lifestyle
The Weaverville listing is minutes from Trinity river and has been branded as a ‘mountain getaway’
A home in Hayfork is listed on the market for just $92,000 and sits on a 8,712 square foot lot
Andrew Te, founder of FastExpert, which connects prospective buyers with realtors, agreed that Trinity’s rural environment is not feasible for everyone.
‘Some potential purchasers will find value in the trade-off of cost for other advantages. Natural beauty, space, seclusion from the hustle and bustle of city life, and a slower pace,’ Te told Our News Outlet.
Amodeo added that buyers can purchase substantially more property and land, but they will be forced to adapt to a rural lifestyle and a smaller buyer pool.
Trinity is about five hours from Santa Rosa, four hours from Sacramento, and five hours from Reno, meaning residents must drive long distances to reach any of the nearest major cities.
However, many cities in the county are only a few hours from the Redwood National and State Parks, which protect over half of the remaining redwood trees on Earth.
‘For the right buyer, especially someone who is looking for privacy, beautiful land, clean air, awesome hiking like Mount Eddy, outdoor recreation, or doesn’t need to commute to work, Trinity County offers a level of affordability that’s increasingly difficult to find anywhere in California,’ Amodeo told Our News Outlet.
Trinity is arguably an outdoorsmen’s paradise. Although there are no official facilities for winter sports, cross-country skiers face no restrictions on the Trinity Alps.
Prospective buyers looking to move to Trinity County will be far from any city life. The downtown of Weaverville is pictured above
The Trinity Alps are a cross-country skier’s dream with stunning views and ungroomed snow
Scott Mountain, Coffee Creek Road, Weaver Bally and Hayfork Mountain are favored trails that boast stunning views for ambitious skiers who are not afraid of ungroomed snow.
Multiple homes are currently on the market, tucked away in Trinity County’s mountains.
One three-bedroom home on Trinity River is on sale for $310,000. The classic log cabin has floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room that overlook a picturesque wooded area.
Another property in Hayfork is listed for just $92,000. The three-bedroom home is 1,100 square feet and is located on an 8,712-square-foot lot.
Trinity County is also now eligible for a portion of $11.3 million in state funding to create affordable housing through California’s Prohousing Incentive Program.
