Fullerton in short: The typical home is worth about $1,040,000 as of August 2026, up 2.4% in a year, against about $1,179,000 across Orange County. About 205 homes are for sale. Homes that sell go under contract in about 20 days. Typical rent is about $2,920 a month. First-time buyers can combine county and state down payment programs.
Fullerton is a college city in North Orange County, home to Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College. Its downtown along Harbor Boulevard has restaurants, nightlife and the historic Fox Theatre, and the Fullerton Transportation Center offers Metrolink and Amtrak service.
The housing mix is broad. Sunny Hills and Golden Hill have larger homes on hillside streets, the areas around downtown hold 1920s and 1930s bungalows and Spanish revival homes, and south and west Fullerton offer more attainable single-family homes and condos. Investors watch the streets near the universities for steady rental demand.
With that range, Fullerton works for many budgets. I compare neighborhoods block by block, because school boundaries, lot sizes and the age of the home can change the value within a few streets.
Fullerton housing market, August 2026
Home values in Fullerton are up 2.4% from a year ago and up 10.6% over three years. Homes that sell are going under contract in about 20 days. About 22.6% of listings have had a price cut, which tells you how much room there is to negotiate. For comparison, the typical home value across Orange County is $1,179,000. At the typical rent and value, the gross rental yield is about 3.4% a year before expenses.
Sources: Zillow Research (home value and rent indexes, inventory, days to pending, price cuts) and Realtor.com Research, data through August 2026. These are market-wide figures, not an appraisal of any one home. See the Orange County market report for the county trend.
What a typical Fullerton home costs to own
20% down
$6,849/month
- Down payment$207,960
- Principal and interest$5,506
- Property tax$953
- Insurance$390
Income to qualify: about $294,000 a year
10% down
$7,967/month
- Down payment$103,980
- Principal and interest$6,195
- Property tax$953
- Insurance$390
- Mortgage insurance$429
Income to qualify: about $341,000 a year
Estimates on the typical home value of $1,040,000 at the 6.95% 30-year fixed average (2026-09-17), with property tax at 1.1% and insurance at 0.45% of value a year, and income at 28% of gross for housing. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. Not a loan quote. Down payment programs below can cover part of the down payment. See 20 years of mortgage rates.
Neighborhoods in Fullerton
- Sunny HillsHillside neighborhood in northwest Fullerton with larger homes and views.
- Golden HillEstablished homes on rolling streets in north Fullerton.
- Downtown FullertonHistoric homes and condos near Harbor Boulevard, the train depot and the Fox Theatre.
- West Coyote HillsNewer homes near the Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve in the northwest.
- University areaHomes and apartments near Cal State Fullerton, popular with investors for rental demand.
Schools
Fullerton School District and several neighboring elementary districts serve the city, with Fullerton Joint Union High School District covering high school, including Sunny Hills and Troy high schools. Always confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district.
Getting around
The 57, the 91 and Interstate 5 border the city, and the Fullerton Transportation Center has Metrolink and Amtrak trains.
Down payment help for Fullerton buyers
Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) Open
OC Housing and Community Development
A deferred second loan at 3% simple interest of up to $120,000 for low-income and $80,000 for moderate-income first-time buyers. The price must be at or below 85% of the county median sales price.
Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Open
County of Orange, administered by National Homebuyers Fund
A federal income tax credit on part of the mortgage interest you pay, every year for the life of the loan. Income up to 115% of area median income, and it stacks with MAP and other programs.
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program Open
California Housing Finance Agency
A deferred junior loan of up to 3% of the price toward the down payment or closing costs, paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. No monthly payment until you sell, refinance or pay off the loan.
See every program you may qualify for
Program terms from the official program pages, last checked September 2026. Income and price limits apply and funds can close without notice, so confirm current terms before you rely on them.
Fullerton ZIP codes at a glance
| ZIP | Median asking price | Per sq ft | Homes for sale | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92831 | $750,000 | $579 | 36 | 45 |
| 92832 | $925,000 | $654 | 9 | 73 |
| 92833 | $898,000 | $633 | 48 | 40 |
| 92835 | $1,389,000 | $640 | 44 | 40 |
Realtor.com Research listing data by ZIP code, August 2026. A ZIP code can cross city lines.
Fullerton real estate questions
How much does a home cost in Fullerton?
As of August 2026, the typical home value in Fullerton is about $1,040,000, up 2.4% from a year earlier, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. The median asking price for homes listed that month was about $969,000. Condos and townhomes usually sit below the typical value and larger detached homes above it.
What is the monthly payment on a typical home in Fullerton?
At the typical value of $1,040,000, with 10% down and a 6.95% 30-year fixed rate, the full monthly cost including property tax, insurance and mortgage insurance is about $7,967. Lenders would usually look for household income around $341,443. HOA dues and Mello-Roos are extra where they apply. This is an estimate, not a loan quote.
Is there down payment help for Fullerton buyers?
Yes. Countywide, first-time buyers in Fullerton can look at the Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program and the Orange County Mortgage Credit Certificate, and statewide at CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program. Income and price limits apply, and the right combination depends on your situation. The finder on this site lists more than 40 programs across Southern California.
Is Fullerton a good place to buy a rental property?
Fullerton has steady rental demand from Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton College and nearby employers. The typical rent and home value on this page give a rough gross yield, but the real return depends on the property, HOA dues and your financing. I can run a specific property through my deal analyzer before you commit.
Official resources
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