Finding affordable housing across Southern California is notoriously tough, but the upper end of the luxury market is officially entering uncharted territory.
According to PropertyShark’s annual national study, California claimed six of the top 10 most expensive zip codes in 2026.
Leading the entire pack is Northern California’s Atherton (94027), where the median home price hit an astonishing $10.725 million. This marks the first time in U.S. history that any residential zip code has reached an eight-figure median benchmark.
Here is how California dominated the national rankings and where L.A. and SoCal stand among the priciest enclaves in the country.
Southern California luxury hubs lead the state
While Silicon Valley took the top overall spot, Southern California continues to hold down several of the most sought-after enclaves in the country.
Newport Beach emerged as the nation’s most expensive overall city, with all six of its residential zip codes landing inside the national top 100. Two of those areas secured back-to-back positions in the upper tier:
- No. 5: Newport Beach (92657) with a median sale price of $6.1 million
- No. 6: Newport Beach (92661) with a median sale price of $5.77 million
Right behind in the top 10 are two classic Southern California staples:
- No. 8: Beverly Hills (90210) with a median sale price of $5.39 million
- No. 9: Santa Barbara (93108) with a median sale price of $5.295 million
Los Altos (94022) closed out the top 10 at $4.875 million.
California’s shifting dominance in luxury real estate
Even though the Golden State remains the national leader by providing 57 of the top 100 most expensive zip codes, its total share has noticeably cooled.
In 2019, California claimed a peak of 73% of the nation’s 100 most expensive zip codes. The recent dip is primarily driven by a shrinking footprint across the Bay Area.
In fact, for the first time on record, the Bay Area tied with the New York metro area at 31 top-tier zip codes each, down from its high of 55 in 2019.
Meanwhile, New York held down key spots on the east coast, claiming No. 2 with Sagaponack ($7.35 million), No. 4 with Bridgehampton ($6.15 million), and No. 7 with Water Mill ($5.75 million). Miami Beach’s Fisher Island (33109) secured slot No. 3 at $7.217 million.
The 10 most expensive zip codes in the U.S. for 2026
- Atherton, CA (94027) — $10.725 million
- Sagaponack, NY (11962) — $7.35 million
- Miami Beach, FL (33109) — $7.217 million
- Bridgehampton, NY (11932) — $6.15 million
- Newport Beach, CA (92657) — $6.1 million
- Newport Beach, CA (92661) — $5.77 million
- Water Mill, NY (11976) — $5.75 million
- Beverly Hills, CA (90210) — $5.39 million
- Santa Barbara, CA (93108) — $5.295 million
- Los Altos, CA (94022) — $4.875 million
Whether you are looking to daydream over mega-mansions or simply trying to navigate the rental market, one thing is certain: California’s high-end property values continue to rewrite the national record books.
