Fullerton Home Prices: $1,046K, Down 0.8% — 4 ZIPs Analyzed (2026)
$1,046,422. That’s what a typical home costs in Fullerton right now. The city crossed the million-dollar mark and hasn’t looked back — even as prices dip slightly year over year.
Quick answer: The average home price in Fullerton, CA is $1,046,422 as of February 2026, down 0.8% year over year according to Zillow.
Current Home Prices in Fullerton
Fullerton sits inside the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro, one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Here’s the snapshot:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $1,046,422 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -0.8% |
| Lowest ZIP Value | $879,648 |
| Highest ZIP Value | $1,290,072 |
| ZIP Codes Tracked | 4 |
| Data As Of | February 2026 |
That 0.8% annual decline amounts to roughly $8,400 — not enough to move the needle for most buyers. A year ago, the median sat near $1,055,000. The drop is real but modest.
Fullerton’s floor price across all neighborhoods is $879,648. The ceiling is $1,290,072. That $410,000 gap between the cheapest and priciest ZIP codes means where you buy within Fullerton matters as much as whether you buy.
For context, you’re still looking at a market where even the “affordable” end requires close to $900K. The average home price in Fullerton CA puts it firmly in seven-figure territory regardless of neighborhood.
Fullerton Home Prices by Neighborhood
All four Fullerton ZIP codes clear six figures. Here’s how they compare:
| ZIP Code | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| 92831 | $1,041,026 | $2,530 |
| 92832 | $879,648 | $2,708 |
| 92833 | $974,944 | $3,133 |
| 92835 | $1,290,072 | $3,463 |
Most Expensive
92835 leads at $1,290,072 — roughly 23% above the city median. It also commands the highest rents at $3,463 per month, suggesting strong demand from both buyers and renters.
92831 comes in at $1,041,026, nearly matching the city average but with the lowest rents at $2,530. That gap between home value and rent makes this ZIP stand out for its price-to-rent ratio.
Most Affordable
92832 is the entry point at $879,648, about 16% below the city median. Rent here runs $2,708 per month. If you’re looking for sub-$900K in Fullerton, this is your only option.
92833 sits in the middle at $974,944 with rents of $3,133. It’s $67,000 cheaper than the city median but carries higher rental costs than the two ZIPs above it in home value — an unusual mismatch.
Rent vs Buy in Fullerton
Renting wins on monthly cost. It’s not close.
| ZIP | Monthly Rent | Est. Mortgage Payment* |
|---|---|---|
| 92831 | $2,530 | ~$5,560 |
| 92832 | $2,708 | ~$4,700 |
| 92833 | $3,133 | ~$5,210 |
| 92835 | $3,463 | ~$6,890 |
*Estimated at 7% interest, 30-year fixed, 20% down. Does not include property taxes, insurance, or HOA.
Even in the cheapest ZIP (92832), buying costs nearly $2,000 more per month than renting. In 92835, the gap widens to over $3,400.
The average rent across Fullerton’s four ZIPs is about $2,958. A mortgage on the city median of $1,046,422 runs roughly $5,570 per month — principal and interest alone. Add property taxes (roughly 1.1% in Orange County) and insurance, and you’re closer to $6,700.
You’d need a household income above $200,000 to comfortably carry that payment using the 28% rule. Renting gives you flexibility while prices continue to soften.
Population Growth and Migration
Fullerton is losing residents. The population dropped 2.3% from 2020 to 2024.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 143,398 |
| 2021 | 140,260 |
| 2022 | 140,890 |
| 2023 | 140,142 |
| 2024 | 140,054 |
The biggest loss came between 2020 and 2021 — a drop of 3,138 people. The city partially recovered in 2022, adding 630 residents, but has been sliding since.
How does this compare to other California cities?
| City | 2024 Population | 4-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | 417,468 | +3.0% |
| Sacramento | 535,798 | +1.9% |
| San Diego | 1,404,452 | +1.4% |
| Fresno | 550,105 | +1.4% |
| Oakland | 443,554 | +0.6% |
| Fullerton | 140,054 | -2.3% |
Every comparison city is growing. Fullerton stands alone in the red. A shrinking population typically eases housing demand over time, which could explain some of the 0.8% price decline.
Fullerton Housing Market Trends
Here’s what happened month by month over the past year:
| Month | Average Value | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2025 | $1,055,096 | $888,122 | $1,303,786 |
| Apr 2025 | $1,051,682 | $883,416 | $1,300,049 |
| May 2025 | $1,045,873 | $877,171 | $1,292,829 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,040,476 | $872,374 | $1,284,835 |
| Jul 2025 | $1,036,334 | $869,262 | $1,278,147 |
| Aug 2025 | $1,032,447 | $867,086 | $1,272,047 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,030,089 | $865,830 | $1,268,665 |
| Oct 2025 | $1,029,990 | $865,715 | $1,269,225 |
| Nov 2025 | $1,032,438 | $867,357 | $1,272,603 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,037,386 | $871,385 | $1,278,721 |
| Jan 2026 | $1,042,011 | $875,738 | $1,284,237 |
| Feb 2026 | $1,046,422 | $879,648 | $1,290,072 |
The pattern tells a clear story. Prices slid from a March 2025 peak of $1,055,096 down to a trough of $1,029,990 in October — a 2.4% decline over seven months. Then the market reversed. From October through February, prices climbed $16,432, gaining back about two-thirds of the earlier loss.
October 2025 marked the bottom. Each month since has been higher than the last.
Is Fullerton a Good Place to Buy in 2026?
The data points to a balanced market tipping slightly toward buyers.
Prices are down 0.8% from a year ago. The population is shrinking. Renting costs 40-50% less than owning on a monthly basis. These factors favor patience.
But the five-month upward trend since October complicates the picture. If you waited for the bottom, you may have missed it by a few months already.
Here’s who this market works for: buyers with household income above $200K, a 20% down payment ($209K), and plans to stay at least 5-7 years. The 0.8% annual decline is small enough that long-term appreciation could still reward patient owners.
If you’re stretching to afford Fullerton, the numbers don’t support it. The rent-versus-buy gap is too wide to justify buying purely for financial reasons right now.
Fullerton Housing Market Outlook for 2026-2027
The five-month recovery from the October low shows consistent upward momentum. Prices gained about $4,100 per month from October through February.
If the current pace continues through spring and summer 2026 — historically the strongest buying season — the median could push back toward the $1,055,000 peak from March 2025. That would represent roughly flat year-over-year growth.
The 3-month trend from December to February shows acceleration: $5,000 gains in December, $4,600 in January, and $4,400 in February. The gains are steady but not explosive.
Two headwinds: population decline reduces local demand, and mortgage rates above 7% keep monthly payments steep. The data suggests Fullerton will hover near $1,050,000 through mid-2026 rather than break sharply in either direction.
Similar Markets in CA
If you’re exploring the broader California market, here are cities worth comparing:
- Anaheim — Fullerton’s immediate neighbor in Orange County, offering a direct metro comparison.
- Long Beach — Another LA metro city with strong rental demand and different price dynamics.
- Los Angeles — The anchor of the metro area. Useful for gauging whether Fullerton offers a discount.
- San Diego — Similar coastal California pricing with a growing population, unlike Fullerton.
- Riverside — An Inland Empire option for buyers priced out of Orange County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in Fullerton?
The average home price in Fullerton, CA is $1,046,422 as of February 2026. Prices range from $879,648 in ZIP code 92832 to $1,290,072 in ZIP code 92835. All four Fullerton ZIP codes are above $870K.
Are home prices going up or down in Fullerton?
Home prices are down 0.8% compared to a year ago. However, the monthly trend has reversed — prices have risen for five consecutive months since hitting a low of $1,029,990 in October 2025. The decline is slowing and may turn positive by mid-2026.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fullerton?
Renting is substantially cheaper. The average rent across Fullerton ZIP codes runs about $2,958 per month. A mortgage on the median-priced home would cost roughly $5,570 per month in principal and interest alone, assuming 20% down at 7% interest. That’s nearly double the cost of renting before property taxes and insurance.
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Fullerton?
ZIP code 92832 is the most affordable at $879,648, running about 16% below the city median. Rent in 92832 averages $2,708 per month. It’s the only Fullerton ZIP below $900K.
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.