La Palma is one of the smallest cities in Orange County, and its housing market reflects that. Only a handful of homes sell in a typical month, so any single month's numbers can swing a long way. The clearest picture comes from looking at several months together, alongside home value trends and what is on the market right now. Here is where La Palma stands this fall and what it means if you plan to buy or sell.
A note on small numbers
Before the figures, a word of caution. Property Focus reported 78 residential sales in La Palma over the past 12 months as of November 2026. That works out to roughly six or seven sales a month. With a sample that small, one large home or one condo closing in a given month can move the median or average by tens of thousands of dollars. For that reason this update leans on six-month and year-over-year figures.
Where prices stand
According to Zillow's home value index, the typical home value in La Palma was about $1,185,000 in September 2026, up 4.4% from September 2025. Zillow's index for the 90623 ZIP code was about $1,194,000, up 4.5%. These figures estimate the value of all homes in the city, whether or not they sold, which makes them steadier than monthly sale prices in a small market.
For closed sales, California Regional MLS (CRMLS) data through November 13, 2026, shows 40 homes sold in La Palma in the last six months at an average price of $1,178,009, or an average of $598 per square foot. Those homes averaged 2,018 square feet.
For context, the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported an Orange County single-family median of $1,480,000 in September 2026, up 5.6% from a year earlier. Zillow's countywide index was about $1,175,000 in September 2026, up 3.2%. La Palma's typical value sits close to the county's on Zillow's measure, and its gain over the year has been a little stronger.
How fast homes are selling
Homes that sold in La Palma went quickly and close to asking. The same CRMLS data shows an average of 19 days on market for homes sold in the last six months, with sellers receiving 100.3% of list price on average. Countywide, C.A.R. put the median time on market at 30 days for single-family homes in September 2026.
Homes still on the market tell a different story. That report showed 12 active listings on November 13, 2026, with an average of 54 days on market and an average list price of $1,239,148. Four homes were under contract. Realtor.com's October 2026 data for ZIP 90623 shows a similar picture: 11 active listings and a median of 50 days on market for listings. The gap between those numbers shows that buyers move quickly on some homes and wait on others.
Inventory
There are more homes to choose from than a year ago, even if the numbers are small. Realtor.com reported 11 active listings in 90623 in October 2026, up from 7 in October 2025, and 8 new listings for the month, up from 4. Three listings were pending. Realtor.com's median list price was $1,198,000, down 8.3% from a year earlier, with a median asking price of $628 per square foot. With so few listings, that median can move a lot depending on which homes happen to be for sale.
Across Orange County, Realtor.com counted 4,692 active listings in October 2026, up 10.4% from a year earlier, and C.A.R.'s Unsold Inventory Index for the county was 3.0 months in September 2026.
Mortgage rates
According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average 30-year fixed rate was 7.11% for the week of November 12, 2026, down from 7.18% the week before and up from 6.24% a year earlier. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.45%. C.A.R.'s third quarter 2026 affordability report estimated that buying the median-priced Orange County home ($1,470,000) took a minimum income of $374,400 for a monthly payment of $9,360, including taxes and insurance.
Living in La Palma
La Palma is a compact city in the northwest corner of Orange County, bordered by Cerritos, Cypress and Buena Park. The housing is mostly detached single-family homes, with some townhomes and condos. Central Park is the city's main park.
Schools in La Palma come from three districts. Elementary schools are run by the Centralia School District, which operates Los Coyotes Elementary and Miller Elementary, and the Cypress School District, which operates Steve Luther Elementary. The Anaheim Union High School District serves grades 7 through 12, with Walker Junior High and John F. Kennedy High School both on Walker Street in La Palma. Which school serves a given address depends on district boundaries, so buyers should check with the district for a specific home.
For commuting, the 91 Freeway runs along the north side of the city, and the 605 and 5 are a short drive away, which puts Long Beach, Los Angeles County job centers and central Orange County within reach.
What this means for buyers
- Watch the market closely. With about a dozen homes for sale at a time, the right home may come up once and be gone in a few weeks. Set up alerts and be ready to tour quickly.
- Have your financing settled first. Homes that sold went for about list price on average. A full pre-approval and clear proof of funds make your offer stronger when you find the right home.
- Look closely at homes that have been listed a while. Active listings averaged 54 days on market. A home that has sat for weeks may have room on price, credits or repairs.
- Keep your contingencies. Inspection and appraisal contingencies protect you. With more homes listed than last year, you are in a better position to keep them.
- Look at nearby cities too. If La Palma inventory is thin when you are ready, homes in Cypress, Buena Park and Cerritos are close by and are worth comparing.
What this means for sellers
- Price to the recent sales. La Palma homes that sold went for about 100% of list price in a few weeks, while active listings have averaged 54 days. Pricing in line with recent sales gives you the best chance of being in the first group.
- Use the six-month view. With few sales each month, the best comparables may be from several months back. Adjust them for the season and for today's rates.
- Prepare the home well. Buyers are comparing your home with the other listings in town and with nearby cities. Paint, landscaping, minor repairs and good photos help it stand out.
- Expect requests for credits. With rates above 7%, buyers often ask for help with closing costs or a rate buydown. Decide in advance what you are willing to offer.
- Low supply still works for you. With about a dozen competing listings, a well-priced and well-prepared home in La Palma gets attention quickly.
The bottom line
La Palma values are up about 4% over the year on Zillow's measure, homes priced in line with recent sales are selling in about three weeks near list price, and inventory is a little higher than last fall. The sample is small, so month-to-month numbers will jump around. For buyers, preparation and quick action matter most. For sellers, accurate pricing and a well-prepared home do the heavy lifting.
Figures are from Zillow (September 2026), CRMLS data (six months through November 13, 2026), Realtor.com (October 2026), Property Focus (November 2026), the California Association of REALTORS® (September 2026 and third quarter 2026) and Freddie Mac (week of November 12, 2026), and were current as of November 2026. Market data changes monthly.
If you want to know what your La Palma home is worth, or you want a plan to buy, contact Tony Ayoub. Tony is a REALTOR® and mortgage loan originator (NMLS ID 2359276) with The Real Estate Solution in Cerritos, licensed in real estate since 2007, and he speaks English and Arabic.
