California’s 55.3% ownership rate last year ranked only as the state’s 20th best level since 1986. Basically, a mid-range score.
It’s because 40 years after a major tax reform push attempted to make homeownership more attractive, the share of folks living in the home they owned last year was below par in both California and nationwide.
with bipartisan support and awaits House action. Simply put, the bill would limit how much certain large investors can be involved in the The legislation parallels growing frustration across the nation about the numerous challenges house hunters face — most notably, steep affordability hurdles. And the ROAD Act could mean wannabe ownersfinds that despite numerous government efforts to boost the number of owners over many decades, there’s been minimal — if any — progress. Back in 1986, for example, Congress nudged ownership by cutting tax breaks for landlords, while mortgage interest remained the only major consumer borrowing that was tax-deductible.California’s 2025 homeownership rate was 55.3% — the third-lowest among the states and 9.9 percentage points below the national rate of 65.2%. By the way, 2025’s gap equals the average difference between California and the U.S. ownership over the past 40 years. Only the District of Columbia and New York had lower rates. Highest ownership? West Virginia at 78.1%, Delaware at 75.5% and Vermont at 75.3%.U.S. ownership was off by 0.4 percentage points in 2025, with 25 states experiencing declines, led by Idaho, down 3.3 percentage points, Oklahoma, down 3, and Colorado, down 2.8.California’s 55.3% ownership rate last year ranked only the state’s 20th-best level since 1986—basically, a mid-range score.Yes, Vermont had a record-high ownership rate in 2025, at 75.3%. Hawaii, at 60.9%, and Rhode Island, at 65.1%, both had their second-best years. But Oklahoma, at 63.8%, and Idaho, at 68.3%, had their worst ownership rate over four decades. North Carolina’s 64.5% was its second-worst, and Utah’s 68.3% was its third-worst.In California, it’s 55.8% — third worst among the states. Nationally, it’s 65.7% nationally. Again, just the District of Columbia and New York were worse. Highest? West Virginia was at 76.1%, and Michigan and Maine were at 74%. Sadly, last year’s ownership rates could not meet this standard in roughly half the states. California’s 2025 rate was half a percentage point below par. By the way, that’s the same ownership deficit as the nation. There were 27 other states also below average, led by Oklahoma, 5.7 percentage points below; North Carolina, 4 percentage points below; and Idaho and Utah, 3.3 percentage points below. Conversely, Hawaii’s rate was 4.4 percentage points above average. Rhode Island was up 4 points. And Vermont was 3.6 higher.Sale closed in Palo Alto: $2.8 million for a single-family homeNewsom issues ‘final warning’ to cities over housing law violations — only one is in the Bay AreaWe did the math — homeownership in the exurbs isn’t more affordableThis Sacramento suburb is booming. Here's what you don't want to missNo Kings may have broken national record, but Bay Area numbers appear to lag from earlier protests Swalwell accuses President Donald Trump, Kash Patel of trying to influence California governor's raceDUI arrest for teen in fatal San Jose collisionAsking Eric: I think I know why her boyfriend hasn't proposed
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