10 Best Places To Live In California
San Diego
Population: 1.43M
Median Income: $79,646
Median Property Value: $654,700
The best city to live in California is San Diego due to its pleasant climate and incredible beaches. As the second-largest city in California, it’s also one of the state’s most popular destinations. San Diego is sometimes overshadowed by Los Angeles and San Francisco, but it has a lot to offer residents who want mild weather, beaches, and great job opportunities.
San Diego is one of America's healthiest places and relatively affordable for a major city in California. It’s the oldest city in California and has a rich history as the birthplace of the state. The Navy operates the largest naval fleet in the world out of San Diego. The presence of the military largely influences the economy of the city. San Diego is a fun coastal city with a high quality of life and plenty to do. It’s a great city for young families and working professionals.
Los Angeles
Population: 3.99M
Media Income: $62,474
Median Property Value: $682,400
Los Angeles is one of the best places to live in California thanks to its wonderful climate, beaches, and world-class shopping, dining and entertainment scenes. Los Angeles features some of the best shopping and entertainment options in the world, plus a unique local culture that is difficult to define. It’s a hub for show business, but it has a diverse economy and is the second-largest contributor to GDP in America, after New York City.
Los Angeles is a truly one-of-a-kind city, which is why it’s the largest in the state. However, it does feature a high cost of living and social issues like crime and homelessness. Like any major city, Los Angeles has major strengths and also major weaknesses. It’s great for ambitious young professionals who are hungry for opportunity. It also features plenty of great suburbs for families and retirees. But it’s not for everyone, and the quality of life in the city is radically different depending on where you live.
San Francisco
Population: 883,305
Median Income: $112,376
Median Property Value: $1.2M
San Francisco is the best place to live in Northern California. It is a global center of the tech industry and the cultural epicenter of Northern California. Many even consider it to be the crown jewel of the state. It has a robust job market, especially for those in the tech industry, with Silicon Valley providing a wealth of opportunities nearby in San Jose. In addition to economic opportunity, the city has a vibrant local culture that features world-class restaurants and entertainment options. It’s certainly not the most affordable city in California, but it does feature some of the world's highest salaries and disposable incomes. It’s hard not to fall in love with San Francisco, and if you can find good job opportunities, the high cost of living is a small price to pay to live in this great American city.
Irvine
Population: 282,584
Median Income: $101,667
Median Property Value: $843,600
Irvine is the nation’s largest planned community and encompasses more than 65 miles of territory in Orange County. Irvine is a sought-after suburb that features lower property values than other surrounding neighborhoods. It’s known for being a hub for higher education - UC Irvine, Pepperdine, and USC all have campuses in the city. Irvine is a clean, quiet city with great weather and a high quality of life. It’s an amazing city for families or students of all levels working toward a degree. It doesn’t offer as much unique culture as other California cities, but it does offer a relaxed pace of life, great weather, and access to opportunity
Sacramento
Population: 508,517
Median Income: $65,046
Median Property Value: $358,300
Sacramento is the capital of California and the sixth-largest city in the state as well as being one of the most affordable places to live in California. Sacramento is often forgotten when discussing major California cities, but it offers a stable economy and a low cost of living, with all the benefits of Northern California life. It’s considerably cheaper than anything you’ll find in the Bay area but offers a similar climate and a unique local culture. In 2002, Harvard University named Sacramento the most diverse city in America, and it’s also been called the most “hipster city in California.” Those who want a quirky, affordable city with a strong job market will love Sacramento. It’s the fastest-growing major city in California and features a healthy economy supported by government, healthcare, and education.
San Jose
Population: 1.03M
Median Income: $113,036
Median Property Value: $968,500
San Jose is also one of the best places to live in California. It is the third most populated city in California, and it’s located on the Southern shore of the San Francisco Bay. It’s the center of Silicon Valley and serves as the epicenter of America's technology sector. It’s become known as a center for innovation and affluence. Those who work in tech will find the highest abundance of opportunities in America -eBay, Adobe, PayPal, Broadcom, HP, and Zoom are just a few of the major tech companies headquartered in the city. Those who are not in tech may feel a bit left out of the party and find the cost of living too high. But those who work in the field should seriously consider making a move to San Jose.
Santa Barbara
Population: 446,527
Median Income: $77,472
Median Property Value: $629,400
Santa Barbara is the best place to live in Central California. This picturesque beach town is only two hours outside of Los Angeles. It’s a popular tourist destination because it’s a city that is emblematic of life in California. It’s known for pristine beaches, beautiful scenery and a relaxed pace of life. It features a healthy local economy that is supported by tourism, education, technology, health care, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing. Plus, it features a low cost of living, moderate property values, and a low crime rate. Santa Barbara is a perfect example of California living. Residents enjoy some of the best qualities the state has to offer – amazing wine, warm weather, and a laid-back pace of life.
Oakland
Population: 429,114
Median Income: $76,469
Median Property: $717,700
Oakland is a city on the East Side of San Francisco Bay. The city offers residents a semi-urban ambiance with a low cost of living compared to other cities on the Bay. It has a strong economy supported by the Port of Oakland, as well as education, tech, and healthcare. It’s an ethnically diverse area with a unique local culture. Residents love Oakland for its easy access to popular urban centers like San Francisco and San Jose. But it’s not nearly as expensive. It’s a great city for your families and professionals looking for access to opportunity without being forced to pay exorbitant rents.
Salinas
Population: 156,500
Median Income: $58,598
Median Property Value: $378,000
Salinas is a city in Monterrey, California, that is known for its sweeping vineyards and breathtaking flora. It’s a major agricultural center and is known affectionally as the “salad bowl of the world” for being a major producer of vegetables. John Steinbeck was from Salinas, and many of his stories take place in the region. Salinas has the classic pastoral beauty for which California is known. It has more of a rural-suburban feel than dense or urban, and it’s a great area for those who want a calm pace of life and affordability. It’s perfect for families and retirees who want a mild climate and low crime rate. Much of the local economy is centered around agriculture. It’s also the center of the emerging AgTech industry – or technology-centered around agriculture. It’s not as bustling or culturally diverse as some of the other cities on this list, but it’s a great area for those who want to live in comfort.
Fresno
Population: 530,073
Median Income: $49,813
Median Property Vale: $257,200
Fresno is a mid-sized city in the center of the San Juaquin Valley. Fresno is positioned in the center of the state, with Los Angeles 220 miles to the south and Sacramento 185 miles to the north, offering residents the best of both worlds. Fresno is also close to several major parks including, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park. Fresno is a laid-back city that offers affordable living and a suburban ambiance. It’s great for nature lovers and those who enjoy the outdoors. It’s the agriculture industry's economic center in San Joaquin Valley and offers a stable job market. It’s not the most glamorous city on this list, but it offers great weather, a stable economy, and friendly residents.