Compton Home Prices: $626K, Up 0.5% — 3 ZIPs Analyzed (2026)

$626K. That’s what a typical home costs in Compton right now — a number that surprises people who still picture the city as one of LA County’s budget options. Prices are up 0.5% year over year, a modest gain but a gain nonetheless. The market has been quietly climbing since a mid-2025 dip.

Quick answer: The average home price in Compton, CA is $625,977 as of February 2026, up 0.5% year over year according to Zillow.

Current Home Prices in Compton

The $626K median puts Compton in an odd spot. It’s far below the broader LA metro average, but it’s not cheap by national standards. A half-percent annual gain means prices are essentially flat when you account for inflation.

The spread between the cheapest and most expensive ZIP is about $26,000. That’s a narrow range. No matter where you buy in Compton, you’re paying roughly the same price.

For buyers, this flatness is actually useful information. You’re not going to find a hidden bargain in one corner of the city. The decision comes down to block-level preferences, not major price differences between neighborhoods.

Compton Home Prices by Neighborhood

Most Expensive

90221 tops the list at $637,081, roughly $11K above the city median. This is also the only ZIP with available rent data, with an average rent of $2,149 per month.

90220 comes in at $629,720, sitting close to the city average. It’s the middle ground — neither the priciest nor the cheapest option in Compton.

Most Affordable

90222 is the most affordable ZIP in Compton at $611,131. That’s about $15K below the city median and $26K less than the most expensive ZIP. If you’re stretching your budget to buy in Compton, this is where your dollar goes furthest.

Rent vs Buy in Compton

Rent data is available for one ZIP code in Compton: 90221, where the average rent is $2,149 per month.

Here’s the rough math on buying. A $626K home with 20% down means a $501K mortgage. At a 6.5% rate over 30 years, the principal and interest payment alone is about $3,165 per month. Add property taxes (roughly 1.1% in LA County) and insurance, and you’re looking at $3,700 to $4,000 per month in total housing costs.

Renting saves you roughly $1,700 per month compared to buying. That’s $20,400 per year. Of course, buying builds equity and locks in your payment. But the gap is wide enough that renting makes financial sense for anyone not planning to stay at least 5-7 years.

Population Growth and Migration

Compton is losing residents. The city’s population dropped from 95,406 in 2020 to 91,129 in 2024 — a decline of 4.5% in four years. Every single year saw a net loss.

The bleeding is slowing. The city lost over 2,000 residents between 2020 and 2021 but only 357 between 2023 and 2024. That deceleration matters.

How does Compton compare to other California cities?

Compton stands out as the only city on this list losing population. For housing, population loss typically eases demand pressure. The fact that prices are still rising — even slightly — despite fewer residents suggests constrained supply is the bigger driver in this market.

Compton Housing Market Trends

The story here is a V-shaped recovery. Prices started at $623K in March 2025, slid to a low of $608K by June-July, then climbed steadily for eight straight months to reach $626K in February 2026.

That eight-month winning streak is notable. Each month’s gain was small — roughly $1,500 to $3,000 — but the direction has been consistent. The market found its floor in mid-2025 and hasn’t looked back.

The spread between the highest and lowest ZIP has stayed remarkably stable throughout the year, hovering around $25K-$26K. All three ZIPs moved in lockstep.

Is Compton a Good Place to Buy in 2026?

The data paints a mixed picture. On one hand, prices are rising and the trend is stable. Eight consecutive months of gains suggests this isn’t a fluke. On the other hand, the appreciation is barely keeping pace with inflation at 0.5% year over year.

Compton works for a specific buyer profile: someone who wants to be in LA County without paying LA County prices. At $626K, you’re well below what most neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Anaheim would cost.

The population decline is worth watching. Fewer residents should eventually put downward pressure on prices, but tight housing supply in Southern California has counteracted that so far.

If you’re buying to live in for 5+ years, the stability is reassuring. If you’re looking for rapid appreciation, the data doesn’t support that expectation. This is a hold-steady market, not a growth market.

Compton Housing Market Outlook for 2026-2027

The eight-month uptrend from July 2025 through February 2026 shows consistent momentum. Monthly gains have averaged about $2,200 during that stretch.

If the current pace continues, Compton’s median could reach $635K-$640K by mid-2026. But that assumes no disruption from rising interest rates or broader economic shifts.

The 3-month trend (December through February) shows acceleration: $1,500, then $2,500, then $1,700 monthly gains. That’s a steady hand, not a surge. Expect more of the same — slow, grinding appreciation rather than any dramatic moves in either direction.

The spring buying season could push prices slightly higher through May-June before the typical summer slowdown. Last year’s seasonal dip bottomed in June-July. Buyers targeting a similar pattern might find slightly better deals in late summer 2026.

Similar Markets in CA

If you’re exploring your options beyond Compton, here are other California cities to compare:

• Los Angeles — The broader market Compton sits within, but expect significantly higher prices across most neighborhoods.
• Long Beach — Right next door to Compton and a natural comparison for buyers weighing nearby options.
• Fontana — An Inland Empire alternative for buyers willing to trade commute time for more space.
• Riverside — Further east but often cheaper than LA County cities like Compton.
• Bakersfield — The most affordable major city in California, with a growing population — the opposite of Compton’s trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home price in Compton?

The average home price in Compton is $625,977 as of February 2026. Across the city’s three tracked ZIP codes, prices range from $611,131 in 90222 to $637,081 in 90221. That’s a $26K spread from the cheapest to the most expensive neighborhood.

Are home prices going up or down in Compton?

Prices are up 0.5% year over year. After dipping to about $608K in mid-2025, the market has posted eight consecutive months of gains. The trajectory is upward, though the pace is slow — roughly $2,200 per month on average since the July 2025 trough.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Compton?

Renting is cheaper by a wide margin. The available rent data shows $2,149/month in ZIP 90221, while buying a median-priced home would cost an estimated $3,900-$4,000/month including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. You’d save roughly $1,700/month by renting.

What is the most affordable neighborhood in Compton?

ZIP code 90222 has the lowest median home value at $611,131, about $15K below the city average. It’s the clear budget pick in Compton, though the price differences between ZIPs are relatively small compared to larger cities.

Methodology

Home values are based on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), a smoothed measure of typical home values in the 35th to 65th percentile range. Rent estimates use the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (2020-2024 vintage). All datasets are publicly available. Housing data updated 2026-02-28.