California’s expensive markets lead the nation

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California is home to eight of the 10 most expensive housing markets in the U.S., according to the just released 2009 Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index.

The annual survey compares the average sale prices of similar 2,200-square-foot houses in 310 markets nationwide.

Making the top 10 for 2009 were:

1. La Jolla, at $2,125,000
2. Beverly Hills,$1,981,750
3. Greenwich, Conn., $1,519,250
4. Palo Alto, $1,489,726
5. Santa Monica, $1,460,912
6. San Francisco, $1,363,250
7. Boston, $1,337,578
8. Newport Beach, $1,315,505
9. Palos Verdes, $1,237,041
10. San Mateo, Calif., $1,090,000

On the least expensive roster:

1. Grayling, Mich., $112,675
2. Akron, Ohio, $121,885
3. Fayetteville, N.C., $130,875
4. Canton, Ohio, $131,867
5. Detroit, Mich., $132,000
6. Arlington, Texas, $138,775
7. Macon, Ga., $139,007
8. Eau Claire, Wis., $141,270
9. Port Charlotte, Fla., $142,750
10. Wichita, Kan., $144,625

That’s $2 million and change between the most and least expensive market’s average sale prices. Although I haven’t been there in more than 30 years, Grayling was not a bad spot to stay for local skiing in my youth, with an old-time downtown, local diner and a movie theater.

More data on other markets, including Canada and internationally, are available online.

-- Lauren Beale

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