Key Findings
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The cheapest city in Southern California is El Centro, with a median home price of $348,357 and a cost of living that is 34% lower than the state average.
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Adelanto is the second cheapest place to live in Southern California. The median home price is $388,863, and the average rent is $1,195. The cost of living in Adelento is 23% below the state average.
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Most of the cheapest cities in California are found in the Inland Empire Region
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All of the cheapest cities in California have a median home price that is at least 25% lower than the statewide average
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Many of the cheapest cities in California are under 2 hours from Los Angeles
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The cost of living in the cheapest cities in California is approximately 18% lower than the statewide average
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Southern California
- El Centro
- Adelento
- Victorville
- Hemet
- Lancaster
- Hesperia
- San Bernardino
- Beaumont
- Moreno Valley
- Redlands
1. El Centro
El Centro is the cheapest place to live in Southern California. Home to 44,322 residents, El Centro is the largest city in California’s Imperial Valley, which is located just north of the border with Mexico. El Centro itself is about 115 miles east of San Diego but only about 30 miles north of Mexicali, Mexico. It’s also a very affordable city with a median home price of $348,357. The cost of living in El Centro is also about 1.1% lower than the US average and 34% lower than the statewide average.
2. Adelanto
Adelanto is also one of the most affordable places to live in Southern California. Located in San Bernardino County, it’s situated in the northern reaches of California’s Inland Empire. It’s also located within the Victor Valley of the Mojave Desert and has a population of 38,046 residents. Adelanto is very affordable by California standards, with a median home price of $388,863. The average rent is only $1,195, and the cost of living is 23% lower than the rest of California.
3. Victorville
Victorville is another one of the cheapest cities in Southern California. Located about 9 miles east of Adelanto, it’s another affordable paradise in San Bernardino. Victorville is known for its beautiful desert landscapes and family-friendly atmosphere. It has a population of 134,810 residents. The cost of living in Victorville is quite reasonable and about 21% lower than the rest of California. The median home price is $429,000, while the average rent is $1,587.
4. Hemet
Hemet is another cheap place to live in Southern California. The quiet city is located in the San Jacinto Valley of Riverside County and has a population of 90,689. Hemet is primarily known as a working-class retirement community due to its noteworthy attractions and affordable cost of living. The median home price in Hemet is $438,000, and the average rent is $1,769. The cost of living is about 12.5% lower than the rest of California, and the average family would need to make about $75,960 to afford a comfortable lifestyle.
5. Lancaster
Lancaster is also an affordable place to live in Southern California. It’s situated in the northern Antelope Valley within the Mojave Desert and features a population of 169,192 residents. Lancaster is only about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, making it a great place to live for those who want access to big city amenities at a more affordable price. The median home price in Lancaster is $444,212, and the average rent is $1,851 per month. The typical family would need to make about $79,560 to afford to live comfortably in Lancaster.
6. Hesperia
Hesperia is also among the most affordable places to live in Southern California. Located in the Victor Valley area within the Mojave Desert, Hesperia is situated about 8 miles south of Victorville and about 35 miles north of the city of San Bernardino. It has a population of 99,818 residents. Hesperia is known for its clean air, beautiful scenery, and low cost of living. It features a median home price of $448,000 and an average rent of $2,042 per month. The average family would need to earn about $83,520 to comfortably afford the cost of living in Hesperia.
7. San Bernardino
San Bernardino is another one of the cheapest cities in Southern California. Located about 60 miles outside of Los Angeles, San Bernardino is home to about 222,101 residents. It’s famous for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities at sites like the San Bernardino National Forest and Glen Hellen Regional Park. It’s also known for its affordability, and the median home price is $483,000, while the average rent is $1,761. The cost of living is about 21% lower than in the rest of California, and a single adult would need to earn about $50,000 to be able to afford to live there comfortably.
8. Beaumont
Beaumont is also a very affordable city in Southern California. It’s a tranquil city in Riverside County, located at the summit of the San Gorgonio between several mountain ranges. Beaumont is known for its scenic beauty, rich history, and abundance of antique stores. It’s home to 53,036 residents. Beaumont is also famous for its affordability and features a median home price of $523,000. The cost of living is 12.5% lower than the rest of California, and the average family needs to earn about $97,200 to be able to live comfortably in Beaumont.
9. Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley is another affordable city in Southern California. Located in the heart of the Inland Empire, Moreno Valley is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario and Greater Los Angeles metro areas. It’s positioned about 64 miles east of Los Angeles and has a population of 208,634.
Moreno Valley is known for its diverse neighborhoods and community spirit and offers an affordable place to raise a family. The median home price in Moreno Valley is $543,279, while the average rent is $2,115. The cost of living is 12.5% lower than the rest of California, and a single person needs to make about $64,000 to live comfortably in Moreno Valley.
If Moreno Valley’s affordability makes it an attractive destination for relocation, we recommend you to be well-informed on policies surrounding rent increase laws in California so that you know what to expect from your future landlord.
10. Redlands
Redlands is another affordable place to live in Southern California. Nestled at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, Redlands is a suburban city in the Inland Empire, offering a central location and affordable cost of living. It’s located about 45 miles northwest of Palm Springs and 63 miles east of Los Angeles and is home to 73,168 residents. The median home price in Redlands is $630,000, while the average rent is $2,146. The cost of living in Redlands is about 21% lower than the rest of California, and the typical family needs to earn about $111,600 to live there.