When it comes to best places to live in California, which city comes to your mind first? The bustling port city of San Francisco? Or fashion city of Los Angeles? In fact, in addition to these two cities, there are many other best cities to live in California. Attracted by its diverse cultures and wonderful sunshine, California has always been a popular destination. So don’t wait. Let’s look at the best places to live in California!
Top 10 Best Places to Live in California
California Area: 424,000 km²
California Population: 39.18 million
Is California a good place to live? Of course, California is a good place to live!
California has beautiful landscapes. You can see canyons, mountains and even deserts here. But most cities are located in the cooler areas of the Pacific coast, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The climate is comfortable and California is livable. California also has a thriving economy. If it were an independent economy, its GDP would even surpass that of France, making it the sixth largest economy in the world.
California’s education is also excellent. University of California, a famous public university, has eleven branches, of which University of California — Berkeley is the original campus. In addition, there are many famous private universities in California: California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of Southern California and so on. In California, you can get the best education in the world. There are 10 best places to live California.
| Rank | Cities | City Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | 876,910 |
| 2 | San Diego | 1,404,745 |
| 3 | San Jose | 1,036,332 |
| 4 | Santa Barbara | 98,267 |
| 5 | Visalia | 146,039 |
| 6 | Sacramento | 573,322 |
| 7 | Bakersfield | 518,400 |
| 8 | Santa Rosa | 203,375 |
| 9 | Los Angeles | 3,932,433 |
| 10 | Fresno | 592,964 |
Best Areas to Live in California (Details)
Here are 10 best areas to live in California, just for your reference.
1. San Francisco
- Unemployment Rate: 5.47%
- Median Household Income: $145,255
- Median Home Price: $1,381,264
- Median Monthly Rent: $2,432
San Francisco, a cosmopolitan city, is undoubtedly one of good places to live in California. It is a major city located on the central coast of California, and is also the second largest metropolitan area on the west coast of the US. Because of its unique location, the weather here in summer is very cool. There are also many diverse architectural styles here, including the Golden Gate Bridge and other famous buildings. In addition, San Francisco is the headquarters of many large companies and institutions, such as VISA, X, etc.
2. San Diego
- Unemployment Rate: 6.14%
- Median Household Income: $109,765
- Median Home Price: $807,264
- Median Monthly Rent: $2,284
San Diego is situated in the south of California and is an important port and military base in the United States. Its economic strength can not be underestimated. Military industry, aviation, shipbuilding and tourism are developed here. San Diego has the third largest economy in California, just behind Los Angeles and San Francisco. The headquarters of US communications giant Qualcomm are also located here.
3. San Jose
- Unemployment Rate: 4.79%
- Median Household Income: $142,931
- Median Home Price: $1,112,817
- Median Monthly Rent: $2,697
San Jose is the third most populous city in California, and is one of the biggest cities in California. The world-famous Silicon Valley is also here, and San Jose is called the “heart of Silicon Valley”. The world’s renowned large technology companies are gathered here, such as Apple, PayPal, Intel, Google, etc. As a result, San Jose has one of the highest per capita disposable incomes, as well as one of the highest costs of living in the US.
4. Santa Barbara
- Unemployment Rate: 4.64%
- Median Household Income: $118,858
- Median Home Price: $1,327,170
- Median Monthly Rent: $2,467
Many regard Santa Barbara as the best place to live in California for the following reasons. Different from other cities in California, Santa Barbara pays more attention to culture. There are many history museums, art museums, galleries, libraries and so on. Santa Barbara also attaches great importance to afforestation, planting nearly 100 kinds of trees and building 47 parks. It is a veritable garden city.
5. Visalia
- Unemployment Rate: 5.82%
- Median Household Income: $83,852
- Median Home Price: $316,987
- Median Monthly Rent: $1,381
Visalia lies in the middle of California’s Central Valley. It is also home to many events. As a result, Visalia offers a wealth of entertainment, education, culture and nightlife opportunities in the town and beyond.
6. Sacramento
- Unemployment Rate: 6.63%
- Median Household Income: $81,757
- Median Home Price: $454,072
- Median Monthly Rent: $1,620
Sacramento is the capital of California and the economic and cultural heart of the Greater Sacramento area. The city is also California’s important healthcare center. Many companies set headquarters here, including Sutter Medical Group, Davis University Medical Center, and Davis University School of Medicine. Time magazine once named Sacramento “the most diverse city in America”.
7. Bakersfield
- Unemployment Rate: 7.77%
- Median Household Income: $80,658
- Median Home Price: $297,093
- Median Monthly Rent: $1,493
Bakersfield is in south-central California. Agriculture, oil, and manufacturing are the city’s main industries. Bakersfield has a large desert, with long, hot, dry summers and short, cool, wet winters. Bakersfield is one of the sunniest cities in America. Many people who love sunshine regard Bakersfield as one of the best places to live in California.
8. Santa Rosa
- Unemployment Rate: 5.53%
- Median Household Income: $100,511
- Median Home Price: $661,707
- Median Monthly Rent: $2,162
Santa Rosa is a city in Sonoma County, California. Sonoma County is famous for its wine production and is called “Wine Country”. The weather here is a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, with dry, warm summers and cold, wet winters. It seldom snows. Every year, many people from all over the world come here to spend the winter.
9. Los Angeles
- Unemployment Rate: 7.79%
- Median Household Income: $84,891
- Median Home Price: $869,305
- Median Monthly Rent: $1,944
Los Angeles is the biggest city in California, and the second largest city in the USA. It is one of the most important industrial, commercial, international trade, science and education, entertainment and sports centers in the United States. Hollywood, the world-famous film center, is also set in Los Angeles. It is also one of the main bases of the US petrochemical, marine, aerospace and electronics industry. Los Angeles is also home to world-renowned higher education institutions such as California Institute of Technology.
10. Fresno
- Unemployment Rate: 9.17%
- Median Household Income: $71,528
- Median Home Price: $308,042
- Median Monthly Rent: $1,401
Fresno is the fifth largest city in California and is situated in the Central Valley. It has a Mediterranean climate with warm winters, and hot and dry summers. This city is sunny in summer and suitable for people’s living. The main industries are dominated by large-scale agricultural production and food processing. Moreover, the city also has machinery manufacturing, medical equipment manufacturing and other industries.
Methodology of Ranking Best Cities to Live in California
These 10 good places to live in California are ranked by US News in 2025-2026. They conducted a public survey and categorized their answers into four indices: quality of life index, value index, desirability index, and job market index. In this survey, people voted for the most important factor when choosing where to settle down. Moreover, US News also gets data from some official sources, including the US Census Bureau, the FBI, the US Department of Labor, and even its own internal resources. Combining official data with public opinions, the result is more realistic and can provide a more comprehensive and authoritative reference for people who are willing to move to California.
Cheapest Places to Live in California
Is the best the cheapest? When you consider moving to California, you should think about your budget. As a developed state, some places in California can be really expensive to live in. Therefore, in addition to the best places to live in California, you need to know more about the cheapest places to live in California. Please read on.
| Rank | Cities | Average Home Price | Average Rent (one-bedroom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakersfield | $388,200 | $1,500 |
| 2 | Clovis | $514,600 | $1,675 |
| 3 | Fresno | $384,100 | $1,575 |
| 4 | Chico | $465,900 | $1,050 |
| 5 | Oxnard | $753,100 | $2,675 |
| 6 | Vacaville | $619,900 | $2,275 |
| 7 | Eureka | $423,800 | $1,075 |
| 8 | Stockton | $446,000 | $1,275 |
| 9 | Fontana | $635,600 | $1,975 |
| 10 | Vallejo | $549,300 | $2,050 |
Cost of Living in California
Although the cost of living in California varies depending on the city you live in, California is still one of the most expensive places to live in the world. The average cost of living in California is $53,082 per year. Let’s look at various aspects of expenses in California.
1. Living Expenses in California: Accommodation
Monthly rent:
Average Rent Costs in California: $1,360 to $2,649 per month
| Types | Costs |
|---|---|
| Median studio | $1,360 |
| Median one-bedroom | $1,525 |
| Median two-bedroom | $1,797 |
| Median three-bedroom | $2,001 |
| Median four-bedroom | $2,399 |
Buying houses:
The house prices in California are different in different cities. Here are several typical home prices in California cities.
| Cities | Typical Home Price |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $855,851 |
| San Francisco | $1,096,477 |
| San Diego | $822,400 |
| Sacramento | $543,529 |
| San Jose | $1,385,816 |
| Fresno | $365,599 |
| Bakersfield | $323,756 |
| Santa Rosa | $756,209 |
| Visalia | $313,406 |
2. Living Expenses in California: Utilities
Average Utility Costs in California: $380 per month
| Utility | Averag Bill |
|---|---|
| Electricity | $124 |
| Gas | $63 |
| Cable & Internet | $117 |
| Water | $76 |
If you want to reduce living expenses in California, you can consult uhomes.com to find some accommodation covering utilities. With sufficient properties, you can find your ideal home in California.
3. Living Expenses in California: Transportation
Average Transportation Costs in California: $5,316 to $15,073 per year
| Family Makeup | Average Annual Transportation Cost |
|---|---|
| One adult, no children | $5,316 |
| Two working adults, no children | $9,561 |
| Two working adults, three children | $15,073 |
4. Living Expenses in California: Food & Groceries
Average Weekly Food & Groceries Costs in California: $297.72
| Cities | Grocery Items Index |
|---|---|
| Sacramento | 105.5 |
| Bakersfield | 110.1 |
| Los Angeles | 111.2 |
| San Diego | 111.9 |
| San Francisco | 131.2 |
5. Living Expenses in California: Healthcare
Average Health Care Costs in California: $8,501 per capita, per year
California requires citizens to have health insurance or face a penalty on state tax returns. In addition to this mandatory health insurance, citizens also have some of their own medical expenses.
Choosing the Best Places to Live in California
Having seen those best places to live in California, did you decide which one you want to live in? Whether you choose to settle in vibrant Los Angeles, bustling San Francisco, or San Diego for the laid-back beach life, you can consult uhomes.com. We are a professional global rental platform with ample listings in California, USA. If you want to rent a house faster within budget, please talk to our consultants. We’ll be available 24/7.
FAQs about Best Places to Live in California
Yes, California is certainly a good place to live. With wonderful sunshine and pretty beaches, California is a beautiful place to settle down. California is also developed. Many top enterprises set their headquarters here, so you have plenty of job opportunities. Living in California, you can receive a quality education. There are many prestigious universities: California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California — Berkeley, etc.
Here are top 10 best places to live in California, according to US News.
- San Francisco
- San Diego
- San Jose
- Santa Barbara
- Visalia
- Sacramento
- Bakersfield
- Santa Rosa
- Los Angeles
- Fresno
Los Angeles is the largest city in California, with 3932433 people living here.
The most affordable cities in California are ranked here.
- Bakersfield
- Clovis
- Fresno
- Chico
- Oxnard
- Vacaville
- Eureka
- Stockton
- Fontana
- Vallejo
Top 10 safest places in California:
- Rancho Santa Margarita
- Imperial
- Moorpark
- Aliso Viejo
- Orinda
- Danville
- Saratoga
- Tiburon
- Simi Valley
- Yorba Linda
California is not only a busy state, but also a beautiful place. You can see much wonderful scenery here. Best Places to Visit in California for 2024:
- Catalina Island
- Lake Tahoe
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Mammoth Lakes
- Yosemite National Park
- Monterey
- Sequoia National Park
- Big Bear Lake
- Kings Canyon National Park
California is divided into 58 counties and contains 483 municipalities.
The population of California in 2025 is 39,663,800.
California is one of the most populous states in the United States and has one of the most diverse populations in the world.
