East Bay Housing Market Trends | April 2026

The Local Lowdown: East Bay Housing

Quick Take:

• Single-family home prices in Alameda County bounced back to $1.3 million, while condo prices remain mixed—Contra Costa County saw a notable rebound.
• Inventory is still tight, more than 20% below last year for single-family homes.
• Listings are moving fast, with single-family homes selling in under two weeks in both counties.
  (Charts/graphs are included at the end for a closer look.)

Single-family homes rebound in Alameda County

February brought some good news for homeowners. Alameda County’s median single-family home climbed back to $1,300,000, essentially flat year-over-year at +0.12%. Contra Costa County saw a slight dip, with the median at $810,000, down 3.2% from last year.

The condo market is showing more volatility. Alameda County condos continue to trend down, with a median of $550,000 (-8.3% YoY), while Contra Costa condos saw a strong rebound at $522,500, up 17.7%. This type of fluctuation is typical in smaller markets, where a handful of sales can shift the median price month-to-month.

Inventory remains tight heading into spring

Even as spring usually brings more listings, supply in the East Bay is still constrained. Single-family homes in February were at 1,898 units, down 21% from last year. Condos followed a similar trend, with inventory down 14% to 731 units. With fewer homes to choose from, buyer competition remains strong, which has helped stabilize single-family prices even as demand picks up.

Homes are selling quickly

The pace of sales accelerated in February. Single-family homes in Alameda County sold in just 13 days, and Contra Costa homes in 14 days. That’s slightly slower than last year in percentage terms, but still very fast historically. Condos also moved faster, with Alameda County units selling in 23 days and Contra Costa condos in 18 days, showing buyers are ready to act as the spring market heats up.

Single-family market stays firmly in seller’s territory

Looking at Months of Supply Inventory (MSI), the single-family market remains a seller’s market:

• Alameda County: 1.4 months
• Contra Costa County: 1.7 months

Both are down from last year, showing competition is still fierce. The condo market, meanwhile, is more balanced:

• Alameda County: 3.3 months
• Contra Costa County: 3.2 months

This gives buyers and sellers a more even playing field for condos, while single-family buyers will need to move fast to compete.

Bottom Line

The East Bay market is competitive, fast-moving, and still favors sellers for single-family homes. Prices are stable or rising, inventory is tight, and homes are selling in just days. Condo buyers and sellers have a bit more room to negotiate, but overall, the market is active and dynamic, making preparation and speed key for anyone looking to buy or sell this spring.

The Local Lowdown Data