California home sellers made more than double what their American peers made last year \u2013 but that gap is shrinking.<\/p>\n
My trusty spreadsheet took a peek at stats from Attom dating to 2008 that track the difference between the price a typical homeowner got when they sold vs. their purchase cost in 130 metropolitan areas, including 10 in California. This \u201cprofit\u201d gap \u2013 and remember we\u2019ve had years at a loss, too \u2013 does not include the cost of upgrades, maintenance, mortgage interest or transaction expenses.<\/p>\n
For sellers in California\u2019s 10 metros in 2025, the median\u00a0gain was $265,000. Meanwhile, sellers in the 120 metros outside the nation saw a $107,000 profit.<\/p>\n
Yes, that\u2019s $158,000 extra for the typical California seller. But that\u2019s the smallest geographic divide in five years \u2013 down from $185,000 in 2022 \u2013 as home prices appreciated more rapidly outside of California in recent years.<\/p>\n
Price pains<\/p>\n
Of course, California\u2019s larger dollar gains come with a cost: purchase prices.<\/p>\n
The typical Californian made the big bucks buying a $422,000 median-priced home and selling it for $687,000. Outside of the Golden State, it was a $215,000 purchase and a $322,000 sale.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the diminishing profit disparity is seen when evaluating a seller\u2019s gain as a portion of the purchase price.<\/p>\n
A 2025 California seller realized a 63% raw gain vs. 50% elsewhere. But since 2008, the typical Golden State sale created a 50% gain, far above the 20% profit nationally.<\/p>\n
No matter the yardstick, it\u2019s clear that more American homes produce noteworthy gains. Those fatter profits are a key reason why long-running California housing woes \u2013 from affordability challenges to \u201cNIMBY\u201d resistance to new development to income inequality \u2013 have spread nationwide.<\/p>\n
Not always winners<\/p>\n
Do not forget that sellers aren\u2019t always winning. Ownership losses were painful surrounding the Great Recession.<\/p>\n
In California, five of the past 18 years had median losses, with sellers across the 10 metros experiencing extremes from a $294,000 gain in 2022 to a $78,000 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in the U.S., two of the past 18 years resulted in seller losses. Typical results ranged from a $114,000 gain in 2023 and a $9,000 loss in 2012.<\/p>\n
Locally speaking<\/p>\n
California metros dominated the national profit rankings last year.<\/p>\n
The San Jose metro\u2019s $755,000 typical seller\u2019s gain last year was the highest nationally, at 94%. Seller outcomes ranged from a $782,250 gain in 2024 to a $75,000 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
San Francisco\u2019s $463,500 gain was No. 2 nationally. That is a 70% profit, with extremes ranging from a $541,750 gain in 2022 to an $80,000 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
San Diego\u2019s $346,000 gain was No. 3 \u2013 a 64% profit. Extremes? $371,000 gain in 2024 to a $73,500 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles-Orange County\u2019s $345,500 gain was No. 4 \u2013 a 56% profit. Extremes? $360,250 gain in 2024 to $40,000 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in the Golden State \u2026<\/p>\n
Ventura County: $305,000 gain (No. 6 nationally) \u2013 a 55% profit. Extremes? $331,000 gain in 2024 to $74,000 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
Inland Empire: $225,000 gain (No. 10) \u2013 a 64% profit. Extremes? $248,000 gain in 2022 to $144,000 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
Sacramento: $200,500 gain (No. 15) \u2013 a 54% profit. Extremes? $236,500 gain in 2022 to $94,000 loss in 2011.<\/p>\n
Stockton: $195,000 gain (No. 17) \u2013 64% profit. Extremes? $260,000 gain in 2022 to $167,500 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n
Fresno: $154,000 gain (No. 31), a 62% profit. Extremes? $174,500 gain in 2022 to $53,000 loss in 2011.<\/p>\n
Bakersfield: $132,500 gain (No. 46) \u2013 a 61% profit. Extremes? $147,000 gain in 2024 to $82,500 loss in 2009.<\/p>\n