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.
Best Places to Live in California in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the top places to live in California. We’ve considered the community well-being score, median home price, monthly expenses, and the population of the cities.
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sacramento | 526,384 | $489,224 | $8,380 | 65/100 |
| 2. | Fresno | 545,716 | $384,076 | $6,732 | 54/100 |
| 3. | San Diego | 1,388,320 | $1.2M | $9,603 | 70/100 |
| 4. | Long Beach | 449,468 | $838,000 | $8,843 | 70/100 |
| 5. | San Francisco | 808,988 | $1.29M | $12,401 | 81/100 |
| 6. | Los Angeles | 3,820,914 | $956,844 | $8,843 | 70/100 |
| 7. | Anaheim | 340,512 | $900,000 | $10,001 | 70/100 |
| 8 | Irvine | 314,621 | $1,560,257 | $10,001 | 80/100 |
| 9 | Palo Alto | 65,882 | $3,399,926 | $7,919 | 72/100 |
| 10 | Santa Barbara | 86,499 | $1,839,580 | $10,663 | 67/100 |
10 Best Places to Live in California
Here’s our list of the top 10 cities that offer comfortable living options in the Golden State:
#1 Sacramento
Sacramento is one of the best cities to live in California.
- Median Home Price: $489,224.[2]
- Median Household Income in Sacramento: $78,954.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 65/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Sacramento, CA: 95838 | 95691 | 95815
Sacramento, California’s capital, offers a mix of urban energy and rich history. The median home price in Sacramento is 28% lower than the state average. The city’s cost of living is 14% lower than the state average.
Sacramento is home to big companies like Amazon, Intel, and Aerojet. Also, your calendar in the city would be full of lively events. Sacramento hosts the annual Farm-to-Fork Festival, an event that celebrates the city’s food heritage.
» Sacramento Homes for Sale: View thousands of properties for sale in Sacramento.
#2. Fresno
Fresno is one of the best areas to live in California.
- Median Home Price: $384,076.[2]
- Median Household Income in Fresno: $63,001.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 54/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Fresno, CA: 93722 | 93727 | 93711
Fresno is California’s largest inland city and home to Kings Canyon National Park. The city is a major agricultural hub. It produces a large part of the nation’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts. This has earned it the title “Raisin Capital of the World.”
Fresno’s median home price is 5% above the national average, but its living costs are 21% below the state average. Also, the job market in Fresno is huge. The city is experiencing steady job growth, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and logistics.
» Fresno Homes for Sale: Find your dream home online.
#3 San Diego
San Diego is one of the best places to live in California.
- Median Home Price: $1.2M.[2]
- Median Household Income in San Diego: $98,657.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 70/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the San Diego, CA: 92101 | 92103 | 92109
San Diego, “America’s Finest City,” is known for its beautiful beaches, great weather, and laid-back lifestyle. The median home price in San Diego is 9% higher than the state average.
The city is home to top research institutes, like the University of California (UCSD) and San Diego State University (SDSU). Both contributing to its strong research and innovation ecosystem.
Also, San Diego is now a biotechnological hub of the country. Big biotech companies like Artiva, Illumina, and Amgen have production plants in San Diego.
» San Diego Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in Long Beach.
#4 Long Beach
Long Beach is one of the best places in California to live.
- Median Home Price: $838,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Long Beach: $78,995.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 70/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Long Beach, CA: 90802 | 90803 | 90805
Long Beach is home to iconic attractions like the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific, attracting visitors from around the world. The Metro Blue Line in the city makes nearby cities, like Los Angeles, very accessible.
Long Beach’s economy is fueled by major employers like Boeing, Molina Healthcare, and the Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest seaports in the world. Also, the city is home to the prestigious Pacific Coast University School of Law.
» Long Beach Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in Long Beach.
#5 San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the good places to live in California.
- Median Home Price: $1.29M.[2]
- Median Household Income in San Francisco: $136,689.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 81/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the San Francisco, CA: 94080 | 94124 | 94112
San Francisco is a global hub for tech, finance, and innovation. Home to some of the world’s largest tech companies, including Salesforce, X (formerly Twitter), and Uber.
San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities, with utility costs 42% higher than the national average. The city’s major attractions are the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf. They draw millions of visitors each year.
» San Francisco Homes for Sale: View the best properties in San Francisco.
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#6 Los Angeles (LA)
Los Angeles is one of the best places to move in California.
- Median Home Price: $956,844.[2]
- Median Household Income in Los Angeles: $76,244.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 70/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Los Angeles, CA: 90046 | 90068 | 90049
Los Angeles, the world’s entertainment capital, is famous for its film and TV industry. It houses major studios like Paramount, Warner Bros., and Universal.
Beyond Hollywood, LA is a hub for other key industries such as tech, aerospace, fashion, and healthcare. Companies like SpaceX, Snap Inc., and Amgen are based there.
Moreover, food and healthcare cost 7% and 12% more than the rest of the country. Also, the city is known for its delicious cuisine, such as Thai, Chinese, and Japanese.
» Los Angeles Homes for Sale: View the best properties in Los Angeles.
#7 Anaheim
Anaheim is one of the best places to live in CA.
- Median Home Price: $900,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Anaheim: $88,538.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 70/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Anaheim, CA: 92805 | 92804 | 92807
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 30% higher than the state average. 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.
» Anaheim Homes for Sale: Find your dream home on Houzeo.
#8 Irvine
Irvine is one of the best places to live in California.
- Median Home Price: $1,560,257.[2]
- Median Household Income in Irvine: $122,948.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 80/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Irvine, CA: 92618 | 92620 | 92612
Irvine has a balanced lifestyle. It has parks, bike trails, and events, like the Irvine Global Village Festival. Despite the higher cost of living, Irvine is highly desirable for families due to its low crime rates and top-rated schools.
Irvine is a hub for education. It has the University of California, Irvine, and top public schools. The city is also known for its strong job market, with companies like Blizzard Entertainment and Broadcom.
» Irvine Homes for Sale: Explore the best properties available in Irvine.
#9 Palo Alto
Palo Alto is one of the best areas to live in California.
- Median Home Price: $3,399,926.[2]
- Median Household Income in Palo Alto: $214,118.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 72/100.[6]
- Popular Zip Code in the Palo Alto, CA: 94303
Palo Alto, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is a top destination for tech professionals and entrepreneurs. It has tech companies, including Google, Apple, and Tesla. The city is also home to Stanford University, a top research institution.
Palo Alto’s living costs are 49% higher than the national average. This makes it one of the nation’s most expensive real estate markets. The city also has a strong job market with a 32.02% expected growth rate.
Residents here enjoy warm weather year-round. They have excellent schools, a thriving nightlife, and vast green spaces for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
» Palo Alto Homes for Sale: View exclusive properties in Palo Alto.
#10 Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is one of the best cities to live in California.
- Median Home Price: $1,839,580.[2]
- Median Household Income in Santa Barbara: $98,346.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 67/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Santa Barbara, CA: 93455 | 93108 | 93436
Santa Barbara, also known as the “American Riviera.” It is renowned for its stunning coastal views, Mediterranean architecture, and luxurious lifestyle. The city lies between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Santa Barbara is an educational and research hub, with institutions like the UCSB. The city has a vibrant job market with a projected job growth of 23.24%. It is particularly in tourism, education, and tech industries, with companies like Sonos.
» Santa Barbara Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in Santa Barbara.
Best Places to Live in California Based on Demographics
We have researched the best places for single families, young professionals and retirees. The cities are ranked on parameters like education, employment opportunities and healthcare facilities.
| Demographic | #1 | #2 | #3 |
| Single Families | Fremont | San Jose | Huntington Beach |
| Young Professionals | San Francisco | Santa Clara | Irvine |
| Retirees | San Diego | Bakersfield | Los Angeles |
Is California the Right Place for Your Next Move?
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.
With the current low mortgage rate of 6.25%, there is an increase in the home buying demand in California. So, to make your offer stand out from the competition, you must get a mortgage pre-approval.
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Research Methodology for Best Places to Live in California
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: Redfin[2]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[3]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[4]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[6]
Additionally, we have listed the great cities to live in California for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, and retirees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California a good place to live?
Yes, the Golden State is a good place to live. It has the flourishing job market. Sacramento, Fresno and San Diego are some of the best places in California..
What is the best city to live in California?
San Francisco is the best city to live in Florida. It is a global hub for tech, finance, and innovation.
What are the nicest parts of California to live in?
Long Beach and Santa Barbara are among the nicest parts to live in California.
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.
