An Overview of Inland Empire's Affordable Housing

​Housing is affordable if it costs no more than a third of a household’s monthly income. California remains one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Many Californians, especially renters, cannot afford housing. Although the Inland Empire isn’t immune to the statewide housing challenges, it stands out as promising in the entire Southern California region.

The Inland Empire offers reprieve for first-time homebuyers seeking affordable options in a historically expensive region. Unlike nearby LA County and Orange County, it offers more affordable housing options. As of 2025, the median home price in Orange County is $600,130. In Orange County and LA County, it’s $1,385,000 and $930,720, respectively. In addition to the relatively low median housing prices, Inland Empire homebuyers have access to various assistance programs, characterized by markedly low down payments. What’s more, Inland Empire residents enjoy a sense of community that’s becoming increasingly scarce in California.

One factor behind housing affordability in the Inland Empire is the low cost of land. The area is relatively underdeveloped. It also boasts geographically and demographically diverse neighborhoods, making for vast options for diverse lifestyles. These, coupled with the availability of undeveloped land, make the Inland Empire attractive to developers. Another driver of the Inland Empire’s housing affordability is the vast housing options, from downtown condos in Riverside, farm-style homes in Norco, and desert retreats in Palm Springs. Such a setup attracts different kinds of renters and buyers.

Inland housing is not without its fair share of challenges. One of the salient issues is overemphasis on single-family homes. While the Inland housing inventory boasts variety, some areas lack inclusive housing options, such as senior housing. This housing exclusivity points to a statewide, systemic barrier, chiefly zoning constraints.

While land is available and affordable in the Inland Empire, zoning laws limit the size of available land for housing development. And where land is available, developers decry inaccessibility and poor infrastructure.

A likely solution for California’s zoning constraints that could significantly ease demand is ‘Upzoning’. Upzoning turns single-family zones into higher-density housing zones. This, in turn, would attract more affordable housing investors, thus boosting affordable housing supply. It would also help cut the cost of living by drastically reducing commute times.

Like most areas in California, the Inland Empire is struggling with a lack of affordable housing funding. Financial support typically follows political support, which varies by locality. For the Inland Empire, differing cultures are a major driver of the affordable housing discrepancy. It has historically been more conservative than some coastal areas, namely San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Fortunately, California is stepping up its affordable housing efforts. The state has passed and implemented key regulations that will shift the city’s affordable housing landscape. Take the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) laws, for instance. Also called secondary units, cottages, or in-law units, are housing units that property owners add to existing residential buildings. Relaxing ADU laws helped boost affordable housing supply.

Other trends reshaping California’s affordable housing include the shift toward mixed-use developments. Having commercial, residential, and recreational space within a single project is a net positive for users. It enhances quality of life by making neighborhoods more walkable and by easing financial pressure associated with long commutes.

Despite being affordable, housing prices in the Inland Empire have risen in five of the last 10 years. Some experts blame it on the influx of buyers and renters from expensive areas. Others attribute the rise to the area’s overall growth prospects. For residents of the Inland Empire, these developments could spur more diverse and inclusive communities and enhance the quality of life.

Stephen Reeder

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