Clayton's median home sold for ~$1.05M in early 2026 (range across sources: $1.0M Redfin / $1,150K Movoto / $1.02M Homes.com — see citations below), with homes turning over at a ~11-day median DOM on Redfin's reading (Redfin Clayton). The sale band runs from ~$800K for older Marsh Creek tract homes and Regency Meadows condos to $2M+ for premium Oakhurst gated-community estates and Mt. Diablo trailhead luxury homes. At those prices, traditional Clayton agents charge 5–6% commission, costing sellers $52,500–$63,000 per sale at the citywide median — and $100,000–$120,000 on a $2M Oakhurst estate.
This is the 2026 Clayton housing market report — the citywide median, what's actually selling in Oakhurst, Regency Meadows, Marsh Creek, Downtown Clayton, and along the Mt. Diablo trailhead, the inventory and DOM numbers driving this small Contra Costa County family market, and how a $7,999 flat fee with a licensed California agent (LOQOL Charlie AI) stacks up against $63,000 at 6% on the typical Clayton home.
The Clayton Housing Market in 2026 — The Numbers
Clayton is an incorporated city of ~11,400 residents in central Contra Costa County, tucked at the northern foot of Mt. Diablo State Park, with the historic Downtown Clayton commercial strip on Main Street, the Oakhurst Country Club golf community on the southwest edge, and the Marsh Creek / Pine Hollow inland tier running east toward the Mt. Diablo State Park entrance (Wikipedia Clayton).
| Metric | Clayton 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price (Feb 2026) | $1.0M | Redfin Clayton |
| Median sale price (Feb 2026) | $1,150,000 | Movoto Clayton |
| Median sale price (Jan 2026) | $1,020,000 | Homes.com Clayton |
| Year-over-year change | −4.2% (Redfin Feb 2026) | Redfin Clayton |
| Median days on market | ~11 days | Redfin Clayton |
| Active inventory (typical) | ~11–25 homes | Movoto Clayton |
| Sale price range | ~$800K (Marsh Creek tract) – $2M+ (Oakhurst estate) | Redfin Clayton Homes |
| Premium sub-markets | Oakhurst gated golf community / Mt. Diablo trailhead ($1.5M–$2M+) | Redfin Clayton Homes |
| Entry sub-markets | Marsh Creek / Regency Meadows tract ($800K–$1.0M) | Redfin Clayton Homes |
| County context (Contra Costa median) | $760K (Jan 2026) | Redfin Contra Costa County |
The Clayton story is stability with limited inventory. The county median is $760K — Clayton sits ~38% above it. Active inventory typically runs 11–25 homes citywide, which keeps well-priced homes clearing in 11 days while creating the YoY price softness you see in the Redfin reading (sellers can't raise prices in a market with thin demand depth despite low supply).
Clayton's Sub-Markets: Where the Premium and Entry Tiers Diverge
Oakhurst Country Club — The Gated Premium Tier
Oakhurst is the gated golf-community on Clayton's southwest edge, built around the Oakhurst Country Club's 18-hole course. The neighborhood runs 1,800–4,500-sqft single-family homes on 5,000–10,000-sqft lots, with HOA-maintained streets and golf-course access. Pricing typically runs $1.4M–$2M+ with the highest-end golf-frontage estates at $2M–$2.5M+. This is Clayton's premium tier — the price segregation from the rest of the city is sharp.
Mt. Diablo Trailhead / Pine Hollow — The Inland Premium Belt
The Mt. Diablo trailhead corridor (east of Marsh Creek Road, leading to the Mt. Diablo State Park's Mitchell Canyon entrance) is the inland premium tier — newer construction (2000s–2010s), 3,500–5,000-sqft homes on larger lots, with hiking access to Mt. Diablo State Park out the back door. Pricing typically $1.3M–$1.8M.
Regency Meadows / Diablo View — The Mid-Market Family Belt
Regency Meadows and Diablo View are the 1980s–1990s family neighborhoods between Marsh Creek Road and Clayton Road. 2,000–3,500-sqft single-family homes on 5,000–7,500-sqft lots, deep Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) catchment, family-driven demand. Pricing typically runs $1.0M–$1.3M — anchored to the citywide median.
Marsh Creek / Original Clayton — The Entry Tier
Marsh Creek Road's older tracts (north of Downtown Clayton) and original Clayton homes from the 1960s–1970s comprise the entry tier — 1,400–2,200-sqft single-family homes on 5,000–7,500-sqft lots. Pricing typically runs $800K–$1.0M.
Downtown Clayton — Historic Main Street Cluster
Downtown Clayton is the historic Main Street commercial cluster (the Endeavor Hall, the Pioneer Inn, the Skipolini's Pizza corner) with a small ring of 1900s–1920s original homes and a handful of newer mixed-use condo product. Inventory is thin and pricing varies widely depending on lot size and historic-overlay constraints.
What 5% and 6% Commission Actually Cost a Clayton Seller
At Clayton's pricing, traditional agents' percentage-based fees produce striking dollar figures. Here's what 5% and 6% commission cost — and what a flat-fee listing saves — across the Clayton price band:
| Sale Price | Traditional 5% | Traditional 6% | LOQOL Charlie AI | LOQOL White Glove | You Keep vs 6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $800,000 (Marsh Creek tract) | $40,000 | $48,000 | $4,399 | $11,000 | $43,601 |
| $950,000 (Original Clayton) | $47,500 | $57,000 | $4,399 | $13,500 | $52,601 |
| $1,050,000 (Clayton median) | $52,500 | $63,000 | $7,999 | $15,500 | $55,001 |
| $1,200,000 (Regency Meadows) | $60,000 | $72,000 | $7,999 | $16,500 | $64,001 |
| $1,600,000 (Mt. Diablo trailhead) | $80,000 | $96,000 | $7,999 | $23,000 | $88,001 |
| $2,000,000 (Oakhurst estate) | $100,000 | $120,000 | $12,999 | $30,000 | $107,001 |
The structural argument: Listing a $1.05M Clayton home does not require 4–5× the work of listing a $400K Antioch home next door. The hours, the MLS workflow, the photography, the open houses, and the disclosure pack are roughly identical. What the 5–6% commission structure does is multiply the agent's invoice by the value of your home — not by the work performed. That's why LOQOL Charlie AI's flat-fee structure exists.
The buyer's agent commission is now negotiated separately in the buyer's offer post-August 2024 NAR settlement (NAR Settlement FAQs) — not pre-set by the seller — so the "savings vs 6%" column above represents the full listing-side commission only.
Why Clayton Sells in 11 Days Despite the County Slowing Down
Three factors drive the fast Clayton clearing time:
1. Very limited active inventory. Clayton typically has only 11–25 active listings citywide at any given time (Movoto Clayton). When inventory is that thin, the well-priced homes that hit the market clear quickly — even in a year where Redfin shows the YoY median down 4.2%.
2. Tight MDUSD school catchment demand. Clayton-area homes feed into Mt. Diablo Unified School District schools that draw consistent family relocation demand from across Contra Costa County. Buyer-side urgency around school cycles (typically February–June) creates concentrated demand into the fastest-selling Clayton inventory.
3. The Concord / Walnut Creek price-band step-up. Concord medians run ~$760K (Redfin Concord) and Walnut Creek medians run ~$1.1M+. Clayton sits exactly in the step-up gap — the Concord family that just outgrew its 1,400-sqft 1960s ranch can step up to a Clayton Regency Meadows 2,800-sqft home with backyard space and Mt. Diablo views without leaving central Contra Costa.
Clayton in the Contra Costa County Context
| Contra Costa City | Median Price | Median DOM | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | ~$1.05M | ~11 days | [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/city/3609/CA/Clayton/housing-market) |
| Walnut Creek | ~$1.1M+ | ~25 days | [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/city/22171/CA/Walnut-Creek/housing-market) |
| Concord | ~$760K | ~22 days | [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/city/3978/CA/Concord/housing-market) |
| Pleasant Hill | ~$1.0M | ~20 days | [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/city/14793/CA/Pleasant-Hill/housing-market) |
| Martinez | ~$800K | ~28 days | [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/city/11756/CA/Martinez/housing-market) |
| Discovery Bay | ~$925K | ~32 days | [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/city/5274/CA/Discovery-Bay/housing-market) |
Clayton's median sits between Walnut Creek and Concord, but its 11-day median DOM is among the fastest in central Contra Costa — a reflection of how thin the inventory runs.
How LOQOL Charlie AI Stacks Up at the Clayton Median
LOQOL is a licensed California real estate brokerage (DRE #02261474) that lists Clayton homes for a flat fee. There are two service tiers — Charlie AI (the AI-driven agent who handles paperwork, MLS upload, marketing copy, and offer review under licensed CA agent supervision) and White Glove (the traditional full-service experience at a fixed price). Both are flat-fee — not 5–6% of the sale.
| Clayton Price Band | Charlie AI Tier | White Glove |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $1M (Marsh Creek / Original Clayton) | $4,399 | $11,000 – $15,000 |
| $1M – $2M (Clayton median to Oakhurst) | $7,999 | $15,500 – $30,000 |
| $2M – $3M (Oakhurst premium estate) | $12,999 | $30,000 – $45,000 |
Important caveats: Photography is not included in either tier. Buyer-agent commission is negotiated separately in the buyer's offer post-August 2024 NAR settlement. Charlie is LOQOL's AI agent — every listing has a licensed California real estate agent as the agent of record.
For most Clayton sellers, Charlie AI at $7,999 is the right product at the citywide median ($1.05M) and the Regency Meadows / Diablo View family-belt prices ($1.0M–$1.3M). For Oakhurst golf-community sellers managing $1.8M+ transactions with HOA / golf-course frontage premium pricing, White Glove at $25K–$30K still beats a $108K traditional commission by 70%+.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Clayton Market
What is the median home price in Clayton, California in 2026?
The median home in Clayton sold for ~$1.0M–$1.15M in early 2026, depending on source (Redfin shows $1.0M Feb 2026, Movoto shows $1.15M Feb 2026, Homes.com shows $1.02M Jan 2026). The consensus mid-point — what most Clayton sellers will see at closing in 2026 — is ~$1.05M.
How fast do homes sell in Clayton?
Homes in Clayton sell at a median of ~11 days on market (Redfin Clayton) — among the fastest in central Contra Costa County. The fast clearing time reflects very limited active inventory (typically 11–25 listings citywide at any given time) combined with concentrated MDUSD school-catchment demand from Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Martinez step-up buyers.
How much does a real estate agent cost in Clayton?
Traditional Clayton agents charge 5–6% commission on the sale price. At the $1.05M citywide median, that's $52,500 (5%) to $63,000 (6%) in total commission. LOQOL Charlie AI lists the same $1.05M home for a flat $7,999 — saving the seller $44,501 to $55,001 depending on the comparison.
What's the most expensive neighborhood in Clayton?
Oakhurst Country Club — the gated golf community on Clayton's southwest edge — is the premium tier at $1.5M–$2M+, with golf-course-frontage estates running $2M–$2.5M+. The Mt. Diablo trailhead corridor (east of Marsh Creek Road) sits just below at $1.3M–$1.8M for newer 3,500–5,000-sqft homes with State Park hiking access.
Is Clayton in Mt. Diablo Unified School District?
Yes. Clayton residents are zoned into Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) schools, with Clayton Valley Charter High School the most-cited school in resale listings. MDUSD's catchment is a significant driver of Clayton family-relocation demand from across central Contra Costa County.
Do I still pay the buyer's agent commission as a Clayton seller?
The buyer's agent commission is now negotiated in the buyer's offer post-August 2024 NAR settlement (NAR Settlement FAQs) — not pre-set by the seller in the MLS listing. Many California sellers still offer concessions toward buyer-agent fees as a negotiated term, but the structure is now buyer-driven rather than seller-mandated.
What to Do Next If You're Selling in Clayton
- Read the [California flat-fee vs commission breakdown](https://loqol.ai/blog/flat-fee-vs-commission-california-sellers) to understand the structural difference between the 5–6% percentage model and the LOQOL flat-fee model at California pricing.
- See the broader Contra Costa County commission picture: Average Real Estate Commission in Contra Costa County 2026.
- Look at the companion Discovery Bay market report for the East Contra Costa Delta comparison: Discovery Bay Housing Market 2026.
- Run the savings calculator on your specific home value at loqol.ai.
- Talk to Charlie — LOQOL's AI agent — at loqol.ai to get a Clayton-specific listing plan with Oakhurst / Mt. Diablo trailhead / Regency Meadows / Marsh Creek comparable analysis built in.
Related: see the companion Best Real Estate Agents in Clayton CA 2026 directory for the head-to-head pricing comparison against Compass, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, BHHS Drysdale, and the rest of the Oakhurst / Mt. Diablo trailhead / Regency Meadows listing agents.