Oct 6, 2026

46 US Cities Running Out of Jobs and Cheap Housing in 2026

California is running out of jobs and cheap housing faster than any other state in America. The Golden State dominated in a new MoneyLion study analyzing the top 46 U.S. cities where jobs and affordable housing are disappearing the fastest. Thirty-two California cities were recognized in the ranking and swept the top five and first place mentions.

To find which U.S. cities are running out of jobs and cheap housing, MoneyLion researchers studied the top 250 biggest housing markets in America (via Zillow) and reviewed each city’s average home value and monthly rent for September 2026 as well as the metro statistical area (MSA) unemployment rate. The final ranking features 46 cities, which were scored on these three factors. These cities were then ranked against each other with the average home value and monthly rent carrying half as much weight as the MSA unemployment rate.

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MoneyLion also analyzed each city’s median household income and its labor force participation rate, referring to the rate of the working-age population ages 16+ either working or actively looking for work.

Key Findings

California accounted for nine of the top 10 cities quickly running out of jobs and housing. The cities and their ranks are Irvine (#1), Modesto (#2), Fontana (#3), Huntington Beach (#4), Rancho Cucamonga (#5), Corona (#7), Stockton (#8), Glendale (#9) and Salinas (#10).
Florida is also starting to feel the pinch on available jobs and housing. Six Florida cities appeared in the ranking including Naples (#27), Port Saint Lucie (#31), Sarasota (#39), Saint Petersburg (#44), Tampa (#45) and Clearwater (#46).
The labor force participation rate is greater than 70% in three ranking cities: Seattle (#30); Renton, Washington (#34); and Gilbert, Arizona (#42).
Only four ranking cities have average home values under $400,000 – and they’re all in Florida. From most to least expensive, they are Tampa ($396,946), Port Saint Lucie ($390,325), Clearwater ($386,221) and Saint Petersburg ($377,514).

Scroll down to find out where it’s getting harder to find jobs and cheap housing in America.

1. Irvine, California

Average home value (August 2026): $1,778,505
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,527
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 67.3%
Median household income: $136,719

2. Modesto, California

Average home value (August 2026): $446,375
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,021
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 7%
Labor force participation rate: 61.6%
Median household income: $79,891

3. Fontana, California

Average home value (August 2026): $640,016
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,190
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.3%
Median household income: $102,821

4. Huntington Beach, California

Average home value (August 2026): $1,454,822
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,081
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.1%
Median household income: $120,919

5. Rancho Cucamonga, California

Average home value (August 2026): $825,477
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,802
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 65.2%
Median household income: $111,895

6. Bellevue, Washington

Average home value (August 2026): $1,626,033
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,828
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 67.2%
Median household income: $165,576

7. Corona, California

Average home value (August 2026): $774,965
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,674
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.5%
Median household income: $109,242

8. Stockton, California

Average home value (August 2026): $433,091
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,010
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 6.4%
Labor force participation rate: 61.7%
Median household income: $79,907

9. Glendale, California

Average home value (August 2026): $1,365,296
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,790
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 62.9%
Median household income: $88,393

10. Salinas, California

Average home value (August 2026): $757,551
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,501
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 61.4%
Median household income: $91,908

11. Ontario, California

Average home value (August 2026): $684,440
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,580
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.2%
Median household income: $88,941

12. Riverside, California

Average home value (August 2026): $652,815
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,444
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 64.8%
Median household income: $91,045

13. Moreno Valley, California

Average home value (August 2026): $552,840
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,382
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 65%
Median household income: $93,222

14. Garden Grove, California

Average home value (August 2026): $1,028,945
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,767
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 63.5%
Median household income: $92,174

15. Los Angeles

Average home value (August 2026): $1,005,275
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,778
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.5%
Median household income: $81,939

16. San Diego

Average home value (August 2026): $1,129,654
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $3,036
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 68.1%
Median household income: $108,077

17. Anaheim, California

Average home value (August 2026): $982,340
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,759
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.7%
Median household income: $95,227

18. Santa Ana, California

Average home value (August 2026): $922,993
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,812
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.5%
Median household income: $93,999

19. Santa Clarita, California

Average home value (August 2026): $831,357
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,787
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 67.1%
Median household income: $123,062

20. Oceanside, California

Average home value (August 2026): $916,857
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,931
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.2%
Median household income: $97,737

21. Chula Vista, California

Average home value (August 2026): $900,863
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,945
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.2%
Median household income: $108,032

22. Long Beach, California

Average home value (August 2026): $934,865
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,422
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 66.3%
Median household income: $87,430

23. San Bernardino, California

Average home value (August 2026): $498,482
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $1,954
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.7%
Labor force participation rate: 60.6%
Median household income: $67,415

24. Elk Grove, California

Average home value (August 2026): $629,707
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,716
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 65%
Median household income: $125,924

25. Oxnard, California

Average home value (August 2026): $774,210
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,864
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 66.8%
Median household income: $96,212

26. Palmdale, California

Average home value (August 2026): $502,747
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,751
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 61.3%
Median household income: $81,770

27. Naples, Florida

Average home value (August 2026): $669,580
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,549
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 35.3%
Median household income: $153,182

28. Roseville, California

Average home value (August 2026): $650,367
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,569
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 65.1%
Median household income: $119,288

29. Whittier, California

Average home value (August 2026): $822,609
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,372
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 62.4%
Median household income: $97,201

30. Seattle

Average home value (August 2026): $902,584
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,234
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 74.2%
Median household income: $123,860

31. Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Average home value (August 2026): $390,325
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,396
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.3%
Labor force participation rate: 59%
Median household income: $80,648

32. Pomona, California

Average home value (August 2026): $694,917
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,353
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 62.9%
Median household income: $79,479

33. Escondido, California

Average home value (August 2026): $878,280
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,547
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 64.7%
Median household income: $91,967

34. Renton, Washington

Average home value (August 2026): $764,060
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,236
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 70.6%
Median household income: $100,432

35. Lancaster, California

Average home value (August 2026): $465,230
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,420
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 56.5%
Median household income: $81,511

36. Scottsdale, Arizona

Average home value (August 2026): $966,486
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,127
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 61.3%
Median household income: $110,886

37. Naperville, Illinois

Average home value (August 2026): $663,133
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,289
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.9%
Labor force participation rate: 67.8%
Median household income: $155,105

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38. El Cajon, California

Average home value (August 2026): $866,012
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,275
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.7%
Labor force participation rate: 61.1%
Median household income: $67,511

39. Sarasota, Florida

Average home value (August 2026): $441,367
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,175
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 53.5%
Median household income: $72,105

40. Sugar Land, Texas

Average home value (August 2026): $444,878
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,032
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5.1%
Labor force participation rate: 63.4%
Median household income: $136,217

41. Sacramento, California

Average home value (August 2026): $482,360
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,056
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 5%
Labor force participation rate: 65%
Median household income: $87,321

42. Gilbert, Arizona

Average home value (August 2026): $570,519
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,075
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 72.2%
Median household income: $122,551

43. Worcester, Massachusetts

Average home value (August 2026): $452,463
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,130
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 65.2%
Median household income: $70,102

44. Saint Petersburg, Florida

Average home value (August 2026): $377,514
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $2,058
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 64.6%
Median household income: $75,192

45. Tampa, Florida

Average home value (August 2026): $396,946
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $1,957
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 66.9%
Median household income: $75,475

46. Clearwater, Florida

Average home value (August 2026): $386,221
Average monthly rent (August 2026): $1,963
July 2026 MSA unemployment rate (%): 4.8%
Labor force participation rate: 59.4%
Median household income: $66,381

Methodology: To identify cities in the U.S. that are running out of jobs and cheap housing, MoneyLion gathered information on the top 250 biggest housing markets in the U.S., according to Zillow. To be considered for ranking, each city had to have data available on: (1) its August 2026 typical home value, according to Zillow, (2) its August 2026 typical monthly rent, according to Zillow and (3) its Metro Statistical Area unemployment rate, according to the July 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The 46 cities in the final ranking have values higher than the U.S. national average in all 3 of the above factors. The highlighted cities were then scored on all three factors and ranked against each other, with factors (1) and (2) carrying half as much weight as factor (3). Supplemental information was also provided on the final 46 cities including: labor force participation rate (for the population 16+) and median household income from the 2024 American Community Survey. All data was collected on and up to date as of Sept. 21, 2026.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Heather Taylor

Edited by

Angela Corry