Lakewood Home Prices: $857K, Up 0.5% — 3 ZIPs Analyzed (2026)
$856,897. That is what a typical Lakewood home is worth right now, according to the latest Zillow data through February 2026. Prices are up 0.5% over the last 12 months — barely moving, but moving up for the seventh month in a row.
Quick answer: The average home price in Lakewood, CA is $856,897 as of February 2026, up 0.5% year over year according to Zillow.
Current Home Prices in Lakewood
Lakewood sits in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro, and the price tag matches the address. The typical home costs more than $850K, with the cheapest ZIP starting at $812,139 and the most expensive reaching $896,454.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median home value | $856,897 |
| Year-over-year change | +0.5% |
| Lowest ZIP value | $812,139 |
| Highest ZIP value | $896,454 |
| Spread between ZIPs | $84,315 |
| ZIP codes tracked | 3 |
| Metro area | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim |
| Latest data | February 2026 |
The 0.5% annual gain is unusual for a Southern California city. Most of the year-ago appreciation got erased during summer 2025, when values slipped below $836K. The market has clawed its way back since August, but barely.
For buyers, the practical takeaway is simple. Lakewood prices are essentially flat. You are not paying significantly more than someone who bought a year ago, and you are not getting a significant discount either. The $84,315 gap between the cheapest and most expensive ZIP is wider than the entire 12-month price swing.
Sellers face a different reality. A 0.5% gain does not cover transaction costs. If you bought in 2025 and tried to sell now, you would likely lose money after agent fees and closing costs.
Lakewood Home Prices by Neighborhood
Three ZIPs make up Lakewood, and the prices line up in a tight band. The gap between the most and least expensive is about 10% — not nothing, but tight by Los Angeles standards.
| ZIP Code | Median Home Value | vs City Average |
|---|---|---|
| 90713 | $896,454 | +$39,557 |
| 90712 | $862,100 | +$5,203 |
| 90715 | $812,139 | -$44,758 |
Most Expensive
- 90713 — $896,454. This ZIP runs about $40K above the city average and is the only one cracking $890K. It sets the ceiling for Lakewood pricing.
- 90712 — $862,100. Mid-pack and slightly above the city average. Buyers here pay a small premium versus the typical Lakewood home.
Most Affordable
- 90715 — $812,139. The cheapest ZIP in Lakewood and the only one with available rent data. Median rent here is $2,960. It runs $44,758 below the city average — meaningful savings, though still firmly in the $800K range.
Rent vs Buy in Lakewood
Rent data exists for only one Lakewood ZIP. In 90715, the median monthly rent is $2,960.
Compare that to buying the median home in the same ZIP at $812,139. With 20% down ($162,428) and a 7% mortgage rate, the monthly principal and interest alone runs roughly $4,322. Add property taxes (about $850/month at California’s 1.25% effective rate), insurance ($200/month), and basic maintenance ($350/month), and the all-in monthly cost lands near $5,720.
That is nearly twice the median rent of $2,960.
| Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Rent (median, 90715) | $2,960 |
| Buy with 20% down (P&I, 7%) | ~$4,322 |
| Add taxes, insurance, maintenance | ~$1,400 |
| Estimated total cost to own | ~$5,720 |
| Monthly difference | ~$2,760 |
Renters in 90715 keep about $2,760 a month versus buyers. Over five years, that is roughly $165,000 — more than the down payment itself. The math favors renting unless you expect significant price appreciation, and Lakewood’s 0.5% annual gain does not support that bet.
For 90712 and 90713, rent data is not available.
Population Growth and Migration
Lakewood is losing people. The Census counted 82,225 residents in 2020. By 2024, that number had fallen to 78,494 — a 4.5% drop in four years.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 82,225 |
| 2021 | 80,495 |
| 2022 | 79,365 |
| 2023 | 78,717 |
| 2024 | 78,494 |
The decline has slowed. The city lost 1,730 residents between 2020 and 2021, but only 223 between 2023 and 2024. Population shrinkage is moderating, but it is still shrinkage.
How does that compare to other California cities?
| City | 2024 Population | 4-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 78,494 | -4.5% |
| 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% |
Lakewood is the only city in this comparison group losing residents. For housing demand, that matters. Fewer people typically means less pressure on prices. The fact that Lakewood prices are still rising at all — even at 0.5% — likely reflects supply constraints in the Los Angeles metro rather than local population pressure.
Lakewood Housing Market Trends
The 12-month chart shows a clear V-shape. Prices fell through spring and summer 2025, bottomed in July, then climbed every month since.
| Month | Median Value |
|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | $856,897 |
| Jan 2026 | $854,731 |
| Dec 2025 | $851,323 |
| Nov 2025 | $846,328 |
| Oct 2025 | $841,756 |
| Sep 2025 | $837,852 |
| Aug 2025 | $835,203 |
| Jul 2025 | $835,189 |
| Jun 2025 | $837,211 |
| May 2025 | $841,767 |
| Apr 2025 | $847,252 |
| Mar 2025 | $852,597 |
From the March 2025 high of $852,597 to the July 2025 low of $835,189, prices fell $17,408 — a 2.0% drop over four months. The recovery since then has been steady. Values are up $21,708 (2.6%) from the July low.
The current $856,897 figure is the highest in the entire 12-month window. The market is at a fresh peak, not a recovery still working its way back.
Is Lakewood a Good Place to Buy in 2026?
The numbers point to a balanced market leaning slightly toward sellers.
Prices are at a 12-month high. Year-over-year appreciation is positive, even if modest. The market has not given buyers a meaningful discount in months, and inventory in entry-level California cities like Lakewood tends to stay tight.
But the case for waiting also holds up. Population is declining. Annual appreciation is just 0.5%. Renting in 90715 saves about $2,760 a month versus buying. None of those facts argue for rushing in.
If you are buying in Lakewood, 90715 offers the lowest entry point at $812,139 and is the only ZIP where you can compare rent against ownership costs directly. If price appreciation is your main motivation, the data does not strongly support that. If you want to live in the area and plan to stay 7-10 years, the long-term picture in Los Angeles real estate has historically rewarded patience.
This is not a market where you need to move fast. It is also not a market giving up bargains.
Lakewood Housing Market Outlook for 2026-2027
The 3-month trend shows monthly gains of $5,000-$6,000. If the current pace continues through summer 2026, values would push toward the $870K range by mid-year.
That assumes the recovery momentum holds. The last three summers have seen seasonal softness in Lakewood prices, and 2025 was no exception. Buyers may see better entry points between June and August if the seasonal pattern repeats.
The bigger uncertainty is the population trend. Lakewood has lost residents every year since 2020. If that decline accelerates again — as it did in 2021 — price gains could stall regardless of broader Los Angeles metro conditions. If population losses continue moderating, the current 0.5% annual appreciation likely continues.
The signal from the data: small monthly gains, a possible summer dip, and a market that does not appear poised for either a sharp run-up or a meaningful correction.
Similar Markets in CA
If Lakewood pricing feels steep, several California cities in our database offer comparison points:
- Long Beach — Lakewood’s immediate neighbor in the same metro. Worth checking for buyers who want similar location with potentially different price points.
- Anaheim — Another Los Angeles metro option for buyers comparing Orange County alternatives to Lakewood.
- Riverside — Inland Empire pricing typically runs lower than coastal Los Angeles County. A common move for Lakewood buyers priced out of $850K+ homes.
- Bakersfield — One of the few growing California cities in our comparison set, with sub-$400K typical homes for buyers willing to leave the LA metro entirely.
- Fresno — Central Valley alternative for buyers prioritizing affordability over coastal proximity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in Lakewood?
The average home price in Lakewood, CA is $856,897 as of February 2026. That figure averages values across all three Lakewood ZIP codes, with prices ranging from $812,139 in 90715 to $896,454 in 90713.
Are home prices going up or down in Lakewood?
Prices are up 0.5% year over year. The 12-month story is a V-shape: prices fell from $852,597 in March 2025 to $835,189 in July, then climbed every month since to reach $856,897 in February 2026.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lakewood?
Renting is significantly cheaper. In ZIP 90715 — the only Lakewood ZIP with rent data — median rent is $2,960 versus an estimated all-in cost of $5,720 to own the median home. That is a $2,760 monthly gap favoring renters.
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Lakewood?
ZIP 90715 is the most affordable at $812,139, about $44,758 below the city average. It is also the only Lakewood ZIP with rental data, with a median monthly rent of $2,960.
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.