According to the Zillow Home Value Index data as of November 2024, home values in neighborhoods surrounding California’s top 30 high schools range dramatically from $307,285 in Fresno’s High Roeding area to $4,757,282 in Old Palo Alto, with a median value of $1,008,772. The Bay Area commands the highest valuations with four neighborhoods exceeding $2 million, while eight communities have seen their home values more than double since 2015. Particularly noteworthy is the Lancaster area near SOAR High School, which despite having the second-lowest 2024 value ($475,146) achieved a remarkable 139.94% appreciation since 2015, demonstrating that strong growth isn’t limited to high-value markets.
The data reveals several compelling patterns about California’s premier school neighborhoods. San Diego’s coastal communities show remarkable consistency, with both Carmel Valley schools (Torrey Pines and Canyon Crest Academy) posting identical values of $1,903,342 and matching 120.91% growth rates. The Silicon Valley/Bay Area dominance is striking, claiming the top three positions with values above $3.8 million, though interestingly showing more modest appreciation rates than many lower-priced areas. Most surprising is San Francisco’s Lowell High School area, which despite its $1,256,316 value shows the lowest nine-year appreciation at 18.36%, while inland communities like Fresno and Lancaster recorded some of the highest growth rates. The presence of multiple school pairs in the same neighborhoods – such as Old Palo Alto’s two schools at $4,757,282 and Poway’s two at $1,223,175 – highlights how top schools often cluster in specific high-value areas.
1. Fresno High Roeding – University High School – 2024 Home Value: $307,285
Located in central Fresno near Fresno City College, this neighborhood has seen home values rise from $137,584 in 2015 to $209,393 in 2020, reaching $307,285 in 2024. This represents a substantial 123.34% increase over the nine-year period. The area sits in the heart of Fresno’s educational corridor, surrounded by both collegiate and cultural institutions.
2. Lancaster – SOAR High School – 2024 Home Value: $475,146
Situated in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County, this area’s home values have climbed from $198,028 in 2015 to $317,482 in 2020, reaching $475,146 in 2024 – marking an impressive 139.94% growth. The school is located near Antelope Valley College, reflecting its focus on early college education.
3. Lodi – Middle College High School – 2024 Home Value: $517,160
Located in California’s Central Valley, this Lodi neighborhood has seen home values increase from $284,049 in 2015 to $392,450 in 2020, reaching $517,160 in 2024, representing an 82.07% increase. The school is situated on the San Joaquin Delta College campus, providing students with direct access to college resources.
4. South Los Angeles – Girls Academic Leadership Academy – 2024 Home Value: $669,815
In this South Los Angeles neighborhood, home values have risen from $294,260 in 2015 to $500,730 in 2020, reaching $669,815 in 2024 – a significant 127.63% increase. The school is located in the Mid-Wilshire area, providing access to various cultural and educational institutions.
5. North Long Beach – California Academy of Mathematics & Science – 2024 Home Value: $700,305
This North Long Beach neighborhood has experienced growth from $325,205 in 2015 to $489,206 in 2020, reaching $700,305 in 2024, marking a 115.34% increase. The school is located on the California State University, Dominguez Hills campus, offering students a unique college-integrated experience.
6. Mountain View – Mountain View High School – 2024 Home Value: $726,274
In the heart of Silicon Valley, this Mountain View neighborhood has seen values climb from $384,812 in 2015 to $515,360 in 2020, reaching $726,274 in 2024 – an 88.73% increase. The school is centrally located in Mountain View, benefiting from the area’s tech industry presence.
7. Duarte – California School of the Arts – 2024 Home Value: $785,102
Located in the San Gabriel Valley, this Duarte neighborhood’s home values have increased from $435,441 in 2015 to $557,077 in 2020, reaching $785,102 in 2024, showing an 80.30% growth. The school sits near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, offering a unique artistic environment.
8. Santa Clarita – Academy of the Canyons – 2024 Home Value: $804,797
In this growing Los Angeles County community, home values have risen from $449,506 in 2015 to $570,750 in 2020, reaching $804,797 in 2024 – a 79.04% increase. The school is located on the College of the Canyons campus, offering students early college opportunities.
9. UC Irvine – University High School – 2024 Home Value: $823,588
Near the University of California, Irvine campus, this neighborhood saw values rise to $823,588 in 2024 from $566,105 in 2020, with 2015 data unavailable. The school benefits from its proximity to UCI and Irvine’s strong educational infrastructure.
10. North Hollywood – The Science Academy STEM Magnet – 2024 Home Value: $839,351
This North Hollywood neighborhood has experienced growth from $411,239 in 2015 to $601,771 in 2020, reaching $839,351 in 2024 – a 104.10% increase. The school is located in the bustling NoHo Arts District, providing students with access to both cultural and technological resources.
11. Santa Ana – Orange County School of the Arts – 2024 Home Value: $843,550
In downtown Santa Ana, home values have increased from $402,766 in 2015 to $566,854 in 2020, reaching $843,550 in 2024, showing a 109.44% appreciation. The school is centrally located in Orange County’s cultural hub, surrounded by arts institutions.
12. Lake Balboa – High Tech Los Angeles – 2024 Home Value: $858,995
This San Fernando Valley neighborhood has seen values climb from $416,682 in 2015 to $599,776 in 2020, reaching $858,995 in 2024 – a 106.15% increase. The school is situated in a growing tech-focused area of the Valley.
13. West Anaheim – Oxford Academy – 2024 Home Value: $884,959
Located in western Anaheim, home values have risen from $437,832 in 2015 to $592,232 in 2020, reaching $884,959 in 2024, representing a 102.12% increase. The school sits in a well-established residential area with easy access to major Orange County amenities.
14. La Mesa – Helix Charter High School – 2024 Home Value: $886,768
In this East San Diego County community, values have increased from $452,675 in 2015 to $584,305 in 2020, reaching $886,768 in 2024 – a 95.90% growth. The school is centrally located in La Mesa, known for its small-town charm within the larger San Diego metropolitan area.
15. Granada Hills – Granada Hills Charter – 2024 Home Value: $983,742
This San Fernando Valley neighborhood has seen values rise from $491,435 in 2015 to $662,925 in 2020, reaching $983,742 in 2024, showing a 100.18% increase. The school is located in a suburban area known for its strong educational focus.
16. Clairemont Mesa East – Mt. Everest Academy – 2024 Home Value: $1,002,589
In this San Diego neighborhood, home values have grown from $444,781 in 2015 to $614,353 in 2020, reaching $1,002,589 in 2024 – a 125.41% increase. The school is situated in a residential area with easy access to central San Diego.
17. Fullerton – Troy High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,005,795
Located in northern Orange County, this neighborhood has seen values increase from $540,394 in 2015 to $674,757 in 2020, reaching $1,005,795 in 2024, marking an 86.12% growth. The school is near California State University, Fullerton, in an education-focused area.
18. Riverside Rancho – Riverside STEM Academy – 2024 Home Value: $1,011,749
In this Riverside neighborhood, values have risen from $485,158 in 2015 to $696,242 in 2020, reaching $1,011,749 in 2024 – a 108.54% increase. The school is located in a developing area known for its focus on technology and innovation.
19. Los Altos – Los Altos High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,036,478
This Silicon Valley community has seen home values climb from $542,375 in 2015 to $713,097 in 2020, reaching $1,036,478 in 2024, showing a 91.10% increase. The school is situated in one of the Bay Area’s most desirable residential areas.
20. Los Cerritos Area – Whitney High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,171,965
Located in the Los Cerritos area, home values have increased from $622,722 in 2015 to $818,689 in 2020, reaching $1,171,965 in 2024 – an 88.20% growth. The school is in a well-established suburban area known for its academic excellence.
21. Poway – Del Norte High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,223,175
In this upscale San Diego County community, values have risen from $609,587 in 2015 to $755,917 in 2020, reaching $1,223,175 in 2024, marking a 100.66% increase. The school is located in the growing 4S Ranch area of Poway.
22. Poway – Westview High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,223,175
Also in Poway, this neighborhood shares the same value progression, rising from $609,587 in 2015 to $755,917 in 2020, reaching $1,223,175 in 2024 – a 100.66% increase. The school is situated in the established Torrey Highlands area.
23. San Francisco – Lowell High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,256,316
In this San Francisco neighborhood, home values have moved from $1,061,473 in 2015 to $1,324,949 in 2020, reaching $1,256,316 in 2024 – an 18.36% increase. The school is located in the Lakeshore area, known for its residential character within San Francisco.
24. Rancho Palos Verdes – Palos Verdes Peninsula High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,814,065
In this prestigious coastal community, values have increased from $962,132 in 2015 to $1,190,344 in 2020, reaching $1,814,065 in 2024, showing an 88.55% growth. The school sits on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula, offering ocean views.
25. Carmel Valley – Torrey Pines High School – 2024 Home Value: $1,903,342
Located in northern San Diego, this area has seen values climb from $861,599 in 2015 to $1,065,784 in 2020, reaching $1,903,342 in 2024 – a 120.91% increase. The school is situated in the upscale Carmel Valley community near the coast.
26. Carmel Valley – Canyon Crest Academy – 2024 Home Value: $1,903,342
Also in Carmel Valley, this area shares identical value progression, rising from $861,599 in 2015 to $1,065,784 in 2020, reaching $1,903,342 in 2024 – a 120.91% increase. The school is located in the Pacific Highlands Ranch area.
27. La Jolla – Preuss School UCSD – 2024 Home Value: $2,279,583
In this prestigious coastal community, home values have increased from $1,182,137 in 2015 to $1,424,035 in 2020, reaching $2,279,583 in 2024, marking a 92.84% growth. The school is located on the UCSD campus in La Jolla.
28. Saratoga – Saratoga High School – 2024 Home Value: $3,831,962
This Silicon Valley community has seen values rise from $1,948,288 in 2015 to $2,432,584 in 2020, reaching $3,831,962 in 2024 – a 96.68% increase. The school is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in an affluent residential area.
29. Old Palo Alto – Palo Alto High School – 2024 Home Value: $4,757,282
In this prestigious Palo Alto neighborhood, values have climbed from $3,827,657 in 2015 to $4,167,115 in 2020, reaching $4,757,282 in 2024, showing a 24.29% increase. The school is located adjacent to Stanford University in one of the Bay Area’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
30. Old Palo Alto – Henry M. Gunn High School – 2024 Home Value: $4,757,282
Also in Old Palo Alto, this area shares the same value progression, moving from $3,827,657 in 2015 to $4,167,115 in 2020, reaching $4,757,282 in 2024 – a 24.29% increase. The school is situated in the southern part of Palo Alto near Stanford Research Park.
