Americans love California! And why wouldn’t you? In 2023, the median home price in the state decreased by 6.4%, which makes 2024 an ideal time to move to California. Also, the state offers great career opportunities and has a top-rated education system.
California’s employment rate increased by 2.5% in 2023. Moreover, California is one of the few states in the country that has recovered from its pandemic-inflicted job losses and its job market continues to expand. Let’s explore the best places to live in California.
Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in CA
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Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in CA
View 94,525 Homes For Sale in California
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3 Reasons to Live in California 🌆
- Quality Higher Education: California has over 280 universities. These include world-famous universities like Stanford, UC Davis, Caltech, etc.
- Excellent Job Opportunities in Tech: Nearly 1.5 million people in the Golden State work in tech. California is home to major tech giants like Netflix, Tesla, Facebook, etc.
- Sunny Climate Throughout the Year: California has pleasant weather with 258 sunny days, and has a Best Places Comfort Index of 8.4.
Best Places to Live in California
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sacramento | 2,215,000 | $485,000 | $7,927 | 4.3% | 65/100 |
| 2. | Fresno | 795,000 | $399,900 | $6,404 | 6.6% | 54/100 |
| 3. | San Diego | 3,319,000 | $890,000 | $9,180 | 3.90% | 70/100 |
| 4. | Long Beach | 439,153 | $803,000 | $8,519 | 5.8% | 70/100 |
| 5. | San Francisco | 3,328,000 | $1.3M | $13,251 | 3.5% | 81/100 |
| 6. | Los Angeles | 12,534,000 | $983,000 | $8,519 | 5.3% | 70/100 |
| 7. | Anaheim | 343,654 | $858,380 | $9,570 | 3.7% | 70/100 |
1. Sacramento
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.2% |
| Median Income | $71,074 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,927 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% |
The median home price in Sacramento is $485,000. The city’s cost of living is 16% lower than the state average. Sacramento is home to big companies like Amazon, Intel, and Aerojet.
The city offers excellent health services and education. Also, your calendar in the city would be full of lively events. Sacramento hosts the annual Farm-to-Fork Festival, an event to celebrate the city’s food heritage.
» Homes for Sale in Sacramento, CA: View thousands of properties for sale in Sacramento.
2. Fresno
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.4% |
| Median Income | $77,982 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,404 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% |
Fresno is California’s largest inland city and home to Yosemite National Park. The city has great connectivity, and streets lined with bars and cafes present Fresno’s historic neighborhood.
The median home price in Fresno is $399,900, which is lower than the national average. The city’s cost of living is 24% lower than the state average. Also, the job market in Fresno is huge. Recently, Amazon opened its distribution in the city, creating around 2,500 new jobs.
» Homes for Sale in Fresno, CA: Find your dream home online.
3. San Diego
| Home Value | ⬆️ 9.4% |
| Median Income | $105,100 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,180 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.90% |
The median home price in San Diego is $890,000. The city is home to prestigious research institutes like the University of California (UCSD) and San Diego State University (SDSU).
Also, the city is now a biotechnological hub of the country. Big biotech companies like Artiva, Illumina, and Amgen have production plants in San Diego.
» Homes for Sale in San Diego, CA: Find the best properties in the San Diego neighborhood.
4. Long Beach
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.7% |
| Median Income | $71,150 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,519 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% |
The median home price in Long Beach is $803,000. The city’s cost of living is lower than Los Angeles and San Francisco. The metro blue line in the city makes nearby cities like Los Angeles very accessible.
Long Beach is home to big corporations like Boeing, and Molina Healthcare. These corporations have boosted the city’s job market, providing opportunities in sectors like healthcare and engineering. Also, the city is home to the prestigious Pacific Coast University School of Law.
» Homes for Sale in Long Beach, CA: Find your dream home in Long Beach.
5. San Francisco
| Home Value | ⬇️ 3.9% |
| Median Income | $94,480 |
| Monthly Expenses | $13,251 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
In 2023, the World Population Review ranked San Francisco as the 8th most beautiful city in the world. Apart from this, the city has the largest tech labor market in the U.S. with around 378,870 active workers. This is why San Francisco is an ideal place for career builders.
The ‘Golden City’ is famous for its diversity, welcoming people from all backgrounds. The cost of living is 76% higher than the state average, which makes San Francisco one of the costliest cities in America.
» Homes for Sale in San Francisco, CA: View the best luxurious properties for sale in San Francisco.
6. Los Angeles (LA)
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.8% |
| Median Income | $98,200 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,519 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% |
For people struggling to maintain a work-life balance, LA can be the best city to live in. Also, the city offers excellent job opportunities. The average salary for a tech job varies from $850,000 – $118,000 per annum, higher than the national average.
The median home price in LA is $983,000. The cost of food and utilities in the city is 5% and 9% lower than the national average. Also, the city is known for its delicious cuisines like Thai, Chinese, and Japanese.
» Homes for Sale in Los Angeles, CA: View the best properties in Los Angeles online.
7. Anaheim
| Home Value | ⬆️ 8.5% |
| Median Income | $81,806 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,570 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% |
Here’s the showstopper! Anaheim is home to Disneyland, the dream destination of every 90’s kid. Apart from this, the city provides great employment opportunities. The unemployment rate in Anaheim is 3.7%, lower than the state average.
The median home price in Anaheim is $858,380. The city is home to esteemed primary schools like Canyon High School and El Rancho Charter Junior School. Also, Anaheim is famous for its serene and traffic-free streets.
» Homes for Sale in Anaheim, CA: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
Best Places to Live in California for Families
School districts, safe neighborhoods, and good connectivity are necessary when moving with your family. Here are the best cities in California for families:
- San Jose: The city offers suburban living and a safe environment to its residents. Also, San Jose has 678 schools, many of which are rated above 4.5 stars.
- Roseville: Home to over 162 schools, Roseville is the best place to stay in California for education. However, this city’s living and housing expenses are a bit steeper.
Best Places to Live in California for Young Adults
Here are the best places to live in California for Young Adults:
- Sunnyvale: The average salary for college graduates in Sunnyvale is $81,000, higher than the national average. Also, big firms like Yahoo and AMD have their headquarters in Sunnyvale.
- Mountain View: The median salary for people with a bachelor’s degree in Mountain View is $80,160. The city is famous among young career builders, as it is home to Googleplex.
Bottom Line
California is one of the best places to live in the US due to its low cost of living and great climate. Other things that contribute are its huge job market and excellent city life.
By 2023, California is expected to create 4.8 million new jobs. Also, the Golden State scores 77/100 in quality of life.
In some cities, the median home price is around $399,900, whereas in cities like San Francisco, it can go up to $1.3 million. So, you must research before you move to California. To start your home search, browse properties online.
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Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in California. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in California and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: California Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in California for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best city in California?
San Francisco is rated among the most beautiful cities in the world. The city has countries biggest labor market.
Which is best place to live in California?
Sacramento is the best place to live in California. The city's cost of living is 16% lower than the state average.
Which is the best place to live in California for retirees?
Long Beach is the best place to live for retirees. The city has a good health care system and excellent accessibility.
Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in California?
With a cost of living 16% below the state average, Sacramento is one of the cheapest places to live in California.
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