Are Huntington Beach Home Prices Going Up or Down in 2026?

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Short answer: Up, modestly. Huntington Beach's median sale price was $1,374,091 for the three months ending August 2026, up 4.3% year over year. That's in line with Orange County's +4.9%. But 30% of HB listings have cut price, and mortgage rates broke above 7% in September, so expect price growth to stall this fall.

Updated October 6, 2026

Huntington Beach price data, cross-checked

The gap between list price (~$1.5M) and sold price (~$1.37M) shows the market resetting expectations. Part of that gap is the mix of homes, but part is sellers listing above where buyers will pay.

What's pushing HB prices up?

• Tight supply. Orange County's unsold inventory index was 3.1 months in August, below the statewide 3.7 (C.A.R.).
• Rate lock-in. About half of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage have a rate under 4%, which keeps many potential sellers from moving (NPR).
• Coastal demand. Buyers keep paying a premium for coastal HB, and nearly 30% of homes still sell above list (Redfin).

What's pulling HB prices down?

• Rates. The 30-year fixed hit 7.28% on October 1, 2026, the highest since November 2023 (Freddie Mac). At HB's median with 20% down, that's about $7,521/month in principal and interest, versus about $6,833 at last year's 6.34% (our math).
• Price cuts. 30.0% of HB listings had a price drop, up 2 points year over year (Redfin).
• Rising OC inventory. Countywide active listings hit 4,874 in August, the 2026 high, before easing to 4,735 in September (FRED / Realtor.com).

Is the HB housing element fight affecting prices?

There's no measurable price effect yet. After losing in court, Huntington Beach adopted its overdue housing element in June 2026. The plan covers 13,368 units for the 2021–2029 cycle (LA Times / Daily Pilot). New supply on that scale would take years to arrive. Watch for rezoning near commercial corridors if you own nearby.

What should HB buyers and sellers do?

• Sellers: Price off sold comps from the last 90 days. Don't anchor to last spring's peak or to active listings. The homes with price cuts are the ones that skipped this step.
• Buyers: Go after listings with price cuts or 30+ days on market. Ask for credits to buy down your rate.

FAQ

Will Huntington Beach home prices drop in 2027?

No one can reliably forecast that. Nationally, Fannie Mae's Q2 2026 expert survey projected about 2% home-price growth in 2027 (Cal Hard Money, citing Fannie Mae). In HB, mortgage rates and inventory are the variables to watch.

What is the average home price in Huntington Beach?

Redfin's median sale price for Huntington Beach was $1,374,091 for the three months ending August 2026. Zillow's typical home value was $1,351,762 as of August 2026.

Is Huntington Beach more expensive than the Orange County average?

For single-family homes, no. C.A.R.'s Orange County single-family median was $1,452,500 in August 2026. Redfin's HB median, which includes all home types, was $1,374,091. Coastal and Huntington Harbour homes sell well above both.

Are homes in Huntington Beach selling over asking?

Some are. 29.7% of Huntington Beach homes sold above list price in August 2026, and the overall sale-to-list ratio was 99.0%, per Redfin.

About the author: Shane Boukorras is a real estate advisor with The Boukorras Group at Real Broker (CA DRE 02066136), serving buyers and sellers across Orange County, the Inland Empire, and LA County. Want a property-level comp analysis for your home or a home you're considering? Reach out to The Boukorras Group.

Market data cited is the most recent available as of the update date; figures change monthly. Payment estimates are illustrative principal-and-interest calculations, not loan quotes. Not tax or legal advice.

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