Flash FinanceUS
Market closed · weekend S&P 5007,376.86+0.31% Nasdaq24,579.42+1.09% Dow 3051,285.73-0.46% Russell 20002,754.11+0.89% Nasdaq-10026,989.99+1.35% MidCap 4003,602.50+0.56% SmallCap 6001,673.98+0.05% VIX25.64-9.01% 10Y Yield4.86+0.45% Close of Nov 06, 2026
State economy

California economy

California's unemployment rate was 5.1% in September 2026, unchanged from the month before and 5.5% a year earlier. That ranks 49 of 51 (1 = lowest); the national rate was 4.1%. Employers had 18.15 million jobs on their payrolls in September 2026, a gain of 129,300 (+0.7%) from a year earlier. Home prices (FHFA index) were +0.9% from a year earlier in Q2 2026. Median household income was $100,800 in 2025.

5.1%
unemployment rate
September 2026
Unemployment rate5.1%Rank 49 of 51 (1 = lowest)
10-year range3.8–16.1%Low Aug 2022 · high Apr 2020
Nonfarm jobs18.15M+0.7% in a year · rank 18
Home prices (FHFA)+0.9%1-year change · Q2 2026 · 5-yr +28%
Median household income$100,8002025 · rank 12 of 51

California: unemployment rate

California unemployment rateLine chart from Jan 1, 2006 to Sep 1, 2026. Latest 5.1%; high 16.1% on Apr 1, 2020; low 3.8% on Aug 1, 2022.2.5%5.0%7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20082010201220142016201820202022202420265.1%High 16.1%Low 3.8%

California: jobs, change from a year earlier

California nonfarm jobs, 12-month changeLine chart from Jan 1, 2001 to Sep 1, 2026. Latest +0.7%; high +10.6% on Apr 1, 2021; low -14.0% on Apr 1, 2020.-15%-10%-5%0%5%10%15%20052010201520202025+0.7%High +10.6%Low -14.0%

California: home prices, change from a year earlier

California FHFA house price index, 12-month changeLine chart from Jan 1, 2001 to Apr 1, 2026. Latest +0.9%; high +28.6% on Jul 1, 2004; low -23.3% on Jul 1, 2008.-40%-20%0%20%40%20052010201520202025+0.9%High +28.6%Low -23.3%

California: median household income

California median household incomeLine chart from Jul 1, 1984 to Jul 1, 2025. Latest $100,800; high $100,800 on Jul 1, 2025; low $25,290 on Jul 1, 1984.$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000$100,000$120,0001990199520002005201020152020$100,800Low $25,290

Other states

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, nonfarm payrolls; seasonally adjusted), Federal Housing Finance Agency (all-transactions house price index), U.S. Census Bureau (median household income, current dollars), via FRED. US unemployment rate: 4.1% (October 2026).