August 2026 · general
East Bay Market Update, August 2026
← All issues$1.31M / $915K
Median Sale Price, July 2026 (Alameda / Contra Costa)
A wider read across the East Bay this month, covering both Alameda and Contra Costa counties: where home values, time on the market, and seller activity landed in July, and what the added choice means whether you own, rent out a property, or are watching for the right moment.
The market in July
Two things stood out across the East Bay in July. Sellers returned in numbers, with new listings up about 47% from a year ago in Contra Costa County and about 28% in Alameda County. And buyers kept pace anyway: homes went under contract in under three weeks in both counties and sold at or above their last list price, about 102% in Alameda and right around list in Contra Costa. Median prices were modestly higher than a year ago in both, near $1,310,000 in Alameda and $915,000 in Contra Costa.
Key numbers (July 2026)
- Median sale price: Alameda $1,310,000 (up 2.7% from a year ago), Contra Costa $915,000 (up 2.2% from a year ago)
- Median days on the market: Alameda 19, Contra Costa 17 (down from 22 a year ago)
- Sale-to-list ratio: Alameda 101.9%, Contra Costa 100.0%
- New listings in July: Alameda 645 (up 28% from a year ago), Contra Costa 806 (up 47% from a year ago)
What it means
A sharp rise in listings would usually cool a market. It has not here, which tells you demand is still strong. For a buyer, that means more to choose from than a year ago, though the well-prepared homes are still selling fast. For an owner, it rewards the basics: a home that shows well and is priced to what has actually sold nearby is selling quickly, while an optimistic price is what sits. The market is finding a healthier balance between buyers and sellers.
If you're buying
For buyers, the extra inventory is the opportunity. New listings rose sharply in both counties, so there is meaningfully more to choose from than a year ago, while prices are only slightly higher. Homes that show well still sell quickly and close to their asking price, so the room to negotiate is mostly on homes that have been on the market a while, not on the newest, well-priced ones.
If it's relevant
If you want the closer-in detail for your city, this month's San Ramon and Walnut Creek editions break down local home values. And if you are weighing a move, or just want to know where your own home or property fits in these numbers, I am happy to walk through it with you.
Detached single-family homes, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Data through July 2026. Source: MLS via InfoSparks. Informational only, not legal, tax, or investment advice.