
Mansion in San Jose, California. Photo by David Sawyer.
Top ten priciest places are in the Golden State
We recently reported on CNN Money’s “Best Places to live in 2011” list comprised of small towns evaluated and ranked. Interestingly, California didn’t win any of the top 10, 25 or even 50 spots, but the magazine has now rated the ten priciest towns from their Best Places list, with all ten top spots snatched up by the Golden State.
It is not surprising that median home sale prices in California are drastically higher than other states, but it is surprising that no New York towns or other Northeastern towns showed up in the top ten list (although they round out the top 25).
Top 10 priciest towns in America
Each town is listed with their median home prices:
- Hillsborough, CA $ 2,277,500
- Los Altos Hills, CA $ 2,273,250
- Montecito, CA $ 1,864,000
- Beverly Hills, CA $ 1,595,000
- San Marino, CA $ 1,560,000
- Tiburon, CA $ 1,425,000
- Los Altos, CA $ 1,422,500
- Manhattan Beach, CA $ 1,360,000
- Saratoga, CA $ 1,349,000
- Palos Verdes Estates, CA $ 1,339,927
In many towns across America, especially in the Midwest, these prices would buy an entire ranch or apartment building, but in California, these are the median prices of homes sold in 2010. News flash – California real estate is more expensive than yours.
Lani is the COO and News Director at The American Genius, has co-authored a book, co-founded BASHH, Austin Digital Jobs, Remote Digital Jobs, and is a seasoned business writer and editorialist with a penchant for the irreverent.

Chris
August 23, 2011 at 4:50 pm
That is shocking that not one New York city made the list. It just shows you that everybody wants to live in the sunshine and nice weather.
coc
January 3, 2012 at 9:37 am
Wrong. Not everyone comes here for the sunshine.
Ruthmarie Hicks
August 23, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I don't know how this is measured. However NY has a very strong cooperative market that is essentially entry level and provides an entry point for many seeking housing. If those are included in the numbers – that will bring down median prices in places like NYC and Westchester. Just my $0.02.