Southern California Real Estate Market Update: March 2026

The latest Infosparks data from CRMLS is in, and the Southern California housing market tells a nuanced story heading into spring 2026. Here is a county-by-county breakdown of what the numbers mean for sellers — and what to watch over the next 60 days.

The Big Picture

Across all four counties, closed sales totaled 9,534 transactions in March 2026. Orange County continues to be the tightest market with just 2.9 months of supply and an average of only 13 days on market. The Inland Empire counties are seeing longer selling timelines but remain active, with Riverside logging 2,417 closed sales — the second-highest volume in the region.

Median prices are essentially flat year-over-year across the board, with no county moving more than 2% in either direction. This is a stabilization pattern — the rapid appreciation of 2021-2023 has cooled, but prices are holding firm rather than declining.

Los Angeles County

  • Closed Sales: 3,891
  • Average Days on Market: 42
  • Months of Supply: 4.1
  • Active Listings: 15,167
  • Average Median Price (major cities): ~$1,196,000 (down 1.9% YoY)

LA County is the region's largest market by volume, and 4.1 months of supply puts it in balanced territory — neither strongly favoring buyers nor sellers. The slight year-over-year price dip of 1.9% is concentrated in higher-end markets, while entry-level and mid-range homes in cities like Downey, Whittier, and Long Beach are holding steady. Sellers in LA County should expect a functional market where well-priced homes still attract multiple offers, but overpricing will be punished with extended days on market.

Orange County

  • Closed Sales: 1,837
  • Average Days on Market: 13
  • Months of Supply: 2.9
  • Active Listings: 4,772
  • Average Median Price (major cities): ~$1,668,000 (up 1.1% YoY)

Orange County remains the hottest market in Southern California. At 13 average days on market and under 3 months of supply, this is firmly a seller's market. Prices ticked up 1.1% year-over-year, and cities like Irvine, Huntington Beach, and Fullerton continue to see competitive bidding. If you are selling in OC, this is an excellent window — inventory is tight, buyer demand is strong, and your home is likely to sell fast and at or above asking. My listings in Orange County have been averaging 103% list-to-sold this year.

Riverside County

  • Closed Sales: 2,417
  • Average Days on Market: 57
  • Months of Supply: 4.3
  • Active Listings: 8,949
  • Average Median Price (major cities): ~$660,000 (down 0.4% YoY)

Riverside is a market of contrasts. Western Riverside cities like Corona, Temecula, and Murrieta remain strong with shorter days on market and tight inventory. Eastern Riverside — the Coachella Valley cities like Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Indio — has higher inventory and longer selling times, especially for luxury properties. Overall, the county is balanced at 4.3 months of supply. Prices are virtually flat year-over-year. Sellers in western Riverside are well-positioned; sellers in the desert cities need sharper pricing strategies.

San Bernardino County

  • Closed Sales: 1,389
  • Average Days on Market: 56
  • Months of Supply: 4.1
  • Active Listings: 5,791
  • Average Median Price (major cities): ~$672,000 (up 0.9% YoY)

San Bernardino County continues to offer some of Southern California's best value, and buyers know it — 1,389 closed sales show solid demand. Cities like Rancho Cucamonga and Upland are performing well at higher price points, while Fontana, Ontario, and Rialto offer strong activity in the mid-range. At 4.1 months of supply, the market is balanced with a slight seller lean. Prices edged up 0.9% year-over-year. The 56-day average DOM is higher than coastal counties but normal for the Inland Empire.

What This Means for Sellers Right Now

If you are thinking about selling in spring 2026, here is what the data tells us:

  1. Pricing accuracy is everything. With flat year-over-year prices across most markets, the days of listing high and waiting for the market to catch up are over. Your list price needs to be based on real comps, not wishful thinking.
  1. Orange County sellers have the strongest hand. Under 3 months of supply and 13-day average DOM means you are in the driver's seat. Do not leave money on the table by underpricing, but do not get greedy either.
  1. LA and IE sellers need a marketing plan, not just a listing. At 42-57 days on market, your home needs to stand out. Professional photography, staging, and targeted digital marketing are not optional — they are the difference between selling in 3 weeks and sitting for 3 months.
  1. Spring is your window. Buyer demand historically peaks between April and June in Southern California. If your home is move-in ready, getting it on the market in the next 30-60 days puts you in the best position of the year.

Get Your City's Market Data

I track detailed market data for over 110 cities across Southern California using Infosparks analytics from CRMLS. Visit your city's page for current median prices, days on market, months of supply, and more:

Browse All 110 Cities →

Or get a free, personalized home valuation for your specific property:

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FAQ

What is the average home price in Southern California right now?

As of March 2026, average median prices across major cities range from approximately $660,000 in Riverside County to $1,668,000 in Orange County. The specific price depends heavily on city, neighborhood, and property type. Visit the Areas page for city-level data.

Is Southern California a buyer's or seller's market in 2026?

It depends on the county. Orange County is a clear seller's market with 2.9 months of supply. Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties are balanced markets with 4.1-4.3 months of supply. Within each county, individual cities can vary significantly.

How long does it take to sell a house in Southern California?

The regional average ranges from 13 days in Orange County to 57 days in Riverside County. My personal average is 25 days on market across all counties, which I attribute to strategic pricing and aggressive marketing from day one.

When is the best time to sell a house in Southern California?

Spring — specifically April through June — historically sees the highest buyer demand and fastest sales in Southern California. However, the mild climate keeps the market active year-round. The current March 2026 data shows strong activity heading into this peak window.

How often does this market data update?

I refresh all city and county market data monthly using Infosparks analytics from CRMLS. Each of the 110 city pages on this site updates automatically when new data is available.