CLIPBOARD : New Home Costs

Housing here costs more than in surrounding counties, as is apparent from a 1989 (the most recent data available) survey. More than 50% of the new homes in Orange County cost $290,000 or more, a far higher percentage than in any of the surrounding counties.

$290,000 $170,000- $130,000- $110,000- Less than County and More $289,999 $169,999 $129,999 $110,000 Los Angeles 33 34 18 10 5 Orange 51 38 8 2 1 Riverside 3 35 38 13 11 San Bernardino 7 32 30 13 18 San Diego 28 52 15 3 2 STATEWIDE 20 34 22 11 13

The Trend

Not only do a higher percentage of Orange County homes fall into the highest cost category, but that number is rising quickly: Percent of new homes sold costing $290,000 or more

And Smaller, Too

Orange County’s new homes are more likely to be in a higher price category than those sold in the surrounding counties, and they’re also fractionally smaller--at least in terms of the average number of bedrooms:

PERCENTAGE OF SALES Average Fewer Four or Number of than Two Two Three More County Bedrooms Bedrooms Bedrooms Bedrooms Bedrooms Los Angeles 3.39 3 18 38 41 Orange 3.26 3 21 32 44 Riverside 3.38 * 11 43 46 San Bernardino 3.45 * 5 48 47 San Diego 3.35 1 13 40 46 STATEWIDE 3.33 1 11 47 41

* Less than 1%

Source: Construction Industry Research Board