Three Valley municipalities are among the most affordable places to live in California, according to a recent study by a financial firm Smart asset.
Madera Acres took the top spot in the San Joaquin Valley, ranking No. 2 in the state.
The unincorporated community just north of Madera scored 49.39 in SmartAsset’s Affordability Index, which was compiled by looking at the cost of owning a home over five years compared to the median income of the region.
For comparison, California City took first place in the state with a score of 50.01, out of 100.
Madera Acres had higher costs than most of the top 10 with $2,716 in average closing costs, $1,435 in annual property tax, $535 in annual homeowners insurance, and an average annual mortgage payment of $9,797.
Madera Acres’ high overall ranking is due to its relatively high median income, which is $88,482.
Coalinga ranked second in the San Joaquin Valley and fifth in the state for affordability.
The western county town of Fresno saw its average closing costs rise to $2,434, annual property tax to $1,494, annual homeowners insurance to $388 and average annual mortgage payment to $7 $107.
Coalinga’s median income measured at $62,522.
Coming in 9th, Tulare County-based Orosi rounded out San Joaquin Valley’s representation in the top 10.
Orosi had average closing costs of $2,311, annual property tax of $1,278, annual homeowners insurance of $344, and average annual mortgage payment was relatively low at $6,292.
Orosi also had one of the lowest median earnings at $40,667.
| Rank | city, state | Avg. Closing costs | Annual property tax | Annual home insurance | Avg. Annual mortgage payment | Median income | Affordability index |
| 1 | California, California | $2,223 | $1,263 | $284 | $5,202 | $49,022 | 50.01 |
| 2 | Madera Acres, California | $2,716 | $1,435 | $535 | $9,797 | $88,482 | 49.39 |
| 3 | Imperial, California | $2,741 | $2,150 | $547 | $10,023 | $85,654 | 45.76 |
| 4 | Ridgecrest, California | $2,460 | $1,864 | $411 | $7,533 | $69,577 | 44.77 |
| 5 | Coalinga, California | $2,434 | $1,494 | $388 | $7,107 | $62,522 | 44.31 |
| 6 | Barstow, California | $2,200 | $977 | $267 | $4,892 | $40,633 | 44.06 |
| 7 | Homeland, California | $2,250 | $1,230 | $356 | $6,530 | $49,180 | 42.05 |
| 8 | Spring Valley Lake, California | $2,934 | $2,736 | $641 | $11,744 | $84,727 | 41.49 |
| 9 | Orosi, California | $2,311 | $1,278 | $344 | $6,296 | $40,667 | 39.52 |
| ten | Taft, California | $2,377 | $2,080 | $334 | $6,121 | $45,197 | 39.03 |
| California | $3,206 | $3,216 | $943 | $17,288 | $75,235 |
