2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in California — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

2,630 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 93244 (Lemon Cove, CA) - 74/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 2,630 ZIP codes with data in California, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All California Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 2,630
Highest value 74/100
Median value 32/100
State California

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 93244 Lemon Cove CA 74/100 41/100
2 95690 Walnut Grove CA 72/100 75/100
3 92339 Forest Falls CA 71/100 45/100
4 95018 Felton CA 70/100 55/100
5 92113 San Diego CA 67/100 55/100
6 93001 Ventura CA 67/100 48/100
7 95548 Klamath CA 67/100 79/100
8 93247 Lindsay CA 65/100 28/100
9 94104 San Francisco CA 63/100 59/100
10 92266 Palo Verde CA 62/100 80/100
11 93283 Weldon CA 62/100 55/100
12 93519 Cantil CA 62/100 79/100
13 95554 Myers Flat CA 62/100 86/100
14 95653 Madison CA 62/100 73/100
15 95720 Kyburz CA 62/100 50/100
16 95984 Twain CA 62/100 75/100
17 95986 Washington CA 62/100 54/100
18 93240 Lake Isabella CA 61/100 59/100
19 93265 Springville CA 61/100 65/100
20 93267 Strathmore CA 61/100 39/100
21 93666 Sultana CA 61/100 64/100
22 95202 Stockton CA 61/100 77/100
23 95313 Crows Landing CA 61/100 74/100
24 91436 Encino CA 60/100 18/100
25 94060 Pescadero CA 60/100 63/100
26 95641 Isleton CA 60/100 80/100
27 91316 Encino CA 59/100 23/100
28 93644 Oakhurst CA 59/100 57/100
29 93285 Wofford Heights CA 58/100 58/100
30 93701 Fresno CA 58/100 75/100
31 94111 San Francisco CA 58/100 54/100
32 95936 Downieville CA 58/100 78/100
33 92121 San Diego CA 57/100 55/100
34 93023 Ojai CA 57/100 52/100
35 93301 Bakersfield CA 57/100 71/100
36 93532 Lake Hughes CA 57/100 53/100
37 93943 Monterey CA 57/100 73/100
38 95698 Zamora CA 57/100 86/100
39 95950 Grimes CA 57/100 58/100
40 91931 Guatay CA 56/100 33/100
41 93243 Lebec CA 56/100 58/100
42 93643 North Fork CA 56/100 50/100
43 93706 Fresno CA 56/100 75/100
44 93741 Fresno CA 56/100 73/100
45 94108 San Francisco CA 56/100 59/100
46 94133 San Francisco CA 56/100 59/100
47 95436 Forestville CA 56/100 64/100
48 95613 Coloma CA 56/100 55/100
49 90013 Los Angeles CA 55/100 79/100
50 90021 Los Angeles CA 55/100 78/100
51 92102 San Diego CA 55/100 60/100
52 92115 San Diego CA 55/100 60/100
53 92311 Barstow CA 55/100 45/100
54 92312 Barstow CA 55/100 39/100
55 93002 Ventura CA 55/100 57/100
56 93005 Ventura CA 55/100 57/100
57 93006 Ventura CA 55/100 57/100
58 93007 Ventura CA 55/100 57/100
59 93009 Ventura CA 55/100 57/100
60 93022 Oak View CA 55/100 59/100
61 93205 Bodfish CA 55/100 78/100
62 93534 Lancaster CA 55/100 48/100
63 93702 Fresno CA 55/100 75/100
64 93703 Fresno CA 55/100 75/100
65 93728 Fresno CA 55/100 70/100
66 93923 Carmel CA 55/100 68/100
67 93940 Monterey CA 55/100 70/100
68 94020 La Honda CA 55/100 74/100
69 94102 San Francisco CA 55/100 59/100
70 94570 Moraga CA 55/100 45/100
71 94575 Moraga CA 55/100 45/100
72 95365 Planada CA 55/100 73/100
73 95486 Villa Grande CA 55/100 65/100
74 95559 Phillipsville CA 55/100 91/100
75 95565 Scotia CA 55/100 86/100
76 96107 Coleville CA 55/100 71/100
77 90014 Los Angeles CA 54/100 74/100
78 90813 Long Beach CA 54/100 70/100
79 92338 Ludlow CA 54/100 50/100
80 93539 Lancaster CA 54/100 36/100
81 93584 Lancaster CA 54/100 36/100
82 93586 Lancaster CA 54/100 36/100
83 93615 Cutler CA 54/100 55/100
84 93721 Fresno CA 54/100 75/100
85 94109 San Francisco CA 54/100 59/100
86 94127 San Francisco CA 54/100 59/100
87 92110 San Diego CA 53/100 60/100
88 93108 Santa Barbara CA 53/100 53/100
89 93287 Woody CA 53/100 32/100
90 93305 Bakersfield CA 53/100 76/100
91 93529 June Lake CA 53/100 63/100
92 93535 Lancaster CA 53/100 43/100
93 93544 Llano CA 53/100 62/100
94 93669 Wishon CA 53/100 35/100
95 94117 San Francisco CA 53/100 53/100
96 94118 San Francisco CA 53/100 59/100
97 94130 San Francisco CA 53/100 53/100
98 94559 Napa CA 53/100 53/100
99 94950 Olema CA 53/100 73/100
100 95006 Boulder Creek CA 53/100 65/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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