Thinking of moving ot California? You’re not alone. Spectacular weather, the largest economy in the country, and endless entertainment options are just a few of the reasons that more people live in California than any other state. From the sandy SoCal beaches to the forests of towering redwood trees and all of the agricultural land in between, the West Coast offers endless coastline and sunshine. Whether it’s pop culture or politics, the Golden State is a global trendsetter. While we couldn’t pick the best place to live in California, we did narrow it down to 5. Here’s our list of the best places to live in California:
Our top places to live in California
1. Los Angeles
2. San Francisco
3. San Diego
4. Sacramento
5. Santa Barbara
Read on to see why we picked these 5 cities and learn what makes them the best places to live in California.
1. Los Angeles
- Population of Los Angeles: 3,985,516
- Average annual salary in Los Angeles: $80,000
- Current median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,395/month
Celeb sightings, eclectic neighborhoods, world-class food, and glorious weather are just some of the oodles of reasons to live in LA. Nearly four million people call this vibrant and diverse city home.
LA is an energetic, fun city. As with any well populated city, traffic is notoriously terrible, so it is best to find a job before you find a place so you can choose a neighborhood based on the commute. West Hollywood offers great food, world-class comedy clubs, and LGBTQ nightlife, while Downtown (aka DTLA), the city’s central business district is having a residential renaissance. The revitalized neighborhood is seeing a resurgence of young people, trendy restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment options. Home to four of LA’s pro sports franchises: Lakers (NBA), Kings (NHL), Clippers (NBA), and Sparks (WNBA) the Staples Center anchors a convergence of cultural attractions, like the L.A. Live complex, which includes the Microsoft Theater and the Grammy Museum.
No matter where you choose to live in this sprawling city, you’re never too far from farmers’ markets, music and entertainment venues, hiking spots, and world-renowned restaurants. From food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants, LA’s bars and restaurants make up not just one of the top food scenes in the country, but in the world. Here, you can have huevos divorciados for breakfast, Korean barbecue for lunch, and Ramen for dinner. Or, wrap everything into one big meal and enjoy bottomless mimosas brunches to your heart’s desire.
Additionally, LA’s diverse music scene makes it one of the best cities for music lovers. Situated between the Pacific Ocean shoreline and the Santa Monica, Angeles National Forest, and San Bernardino Mountains, LA has amazing, sunny, 72-degree weather year-round, making it an easy pick for our list of the best places to live in California.
2. San Francisco
- Population of San Francisco: 3,318,000
- Average annual salary in San Francisco: $104,000
- Current median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,895/month
Even though the City by the Bay is known for being hilly, chilly, and foggy, it’s still one of the most sought-after US cities to live. Perhaps that’s because of its proximity to the beach, wine country, Lake Tahoe, and SoCal; or, maybe it’s the city’s amazing restaurants, iconic landmarks, and proximity to the redwood forests in Muir Woods and the Marin Headlands. Either way, the seven-by-seven square mile area boasts one of the priciest rent rates in the country.
With more than 17,000 people per square mile, San Francisco is one of the most densely populated metropolitans in the country outside of New York and LA. Not only is SF the second-most walkable city in the country behind NYC, but with BART, Caltrain, MUNI trains and buses, lots of Lyft drivers, e-scooters, and bikes, it also boasts the best public transit system in the state.
The further away from the city center, the more affordable neighborhoods become. SoMa, the land of startups and luxury condos, is one of the most popular neighborhoods for renters due to its easy commute. Located in the heart of the city, Hayes Valley is another hot locale. This active area is thriving thanks to its easy access to downtown as well as its trendy boutiques, restaurants, and nightspots.
The Bay Area includes surrounding cities, such as Oakland in the East Bay and San Jose in Silicon Valley, which draw in residents for their comparative affordability. Speaking of silicon, the Bay is home to some of the biggest names in the tech world, including Apple, Yahoo, Facebook, Google, or Netflix, as well as countless startups and the VC firms that fund them.
As far as sports go, the Golden State Warriors play at the newly-built Chase Center in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, while the Giants are stationed at Oracle Park just up the road. Consistently mild weather lets locals enjoy the city’s green space, like Golden Gate Park and Dolores Park as well as nearby shoreline, including Baker Beach and Half Moon Bay. Get your culture on at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, at one of the city’s many street festivals or concerts, or at “only in SF” celebrations like the clothing-optional Bay to Breakers marathon and naval-gazing Fleet Week.
In addition to wacky bars and neighborhood dives, “The City” also boasts the most restaurants per capita than any other city in the country. Local cuisine consists of world-renowned restaurants, some serious Sourdough bread, fresh seafood, Mission-style burritos, Korean tacos, dim sum, poke bowls, and ramen. Not only is it one of the best places to live in Northern California, but it’s also one of the best places to live in all of California.
3. San Diego
- Population of Diego: 3,295,000
- Average annual salary in San Diego: $80,000
- Current median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,374/month
Sunny San Diego is one of the best beach destinations in the country. It’s also the second-largest city in California (behind LA) and the 8th-largest city in the US. In addition to surfing, sunbathing, and swimming, San Diego beaches offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, boardwalks with shops and restaurants, and water sports aplenty.
Surrounded by 27 miles of sandy shoreline, the 4,200-acre Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park of its kind. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park boasts expansive ocean views, cliffs and caves, a cool intertidal area, and of course, stellar sunsets. Across the bridge on Coronado Island, the Navy base makes up a majority of the island’s population.
Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and Sea World are among San Diego’s many attractions. The city’s neighborhoods range from ritzy La Jolla to laid-back Pacific Beach (PB), including pride flag-clad Hillcrest and Downtown’s Gas Lamp Quarter.
Known for its nightlife scene, The Gaslamp is home to many of the best bars and beloved restaurants in town. Fish tacos, California-style burritos (french fries inside), and Baja-style Mexican food make up the regional cuisine alongside “rolled tacos” (taquitos) and fresh seafood. There are plenty of charming, beachy neighborhoods to live in, you’ll just have to find your vibe and search for apartments there.
4. Sacramento
- Population of Sacramento: 2,186,000
- Average annual salary in Sacramento: $65,326
- Current median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,600/month
You might be surprised to see Sacramento on our list of best places to live in California, but if you’re looking for an affordable place to live in California, Cali’s inland capital is the spot for you. Sacramento is within close proximity to wine country, Lake Tahoe, and the coastline, but is located in a spacious, sprawling area.
It gets a bad rap because it’s smaller and flatter than its more glamorous beachside counterparts, but young families, millennials, and artists are flocking to Sacramento for its reasonable cost of living, art scene, nightlife, healthy job market, and diverse population.
This unique town is home to tree-lined streets, ample waterways, and a storied Gold Rush history. The capital is called the “City of Trees” because it boasts more trees than any other city in the country! Located in the northern part of the state at the base of the Sierra Nevada, Sac sees some dry, hot summers. Thankfully, there’s the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, aka the Delta, an unpretentious waterway where locals can boat and swim. Raging Waters waterpark also offers ample opportunities for cooling off.
Other attractions and activities include the Sacramento History Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, and the Sacramento River Cats Triple-A baseball team, an affiliate of the SF Giants.
Sacramento is surrounded by farms, so the city sports a pretty serious farm-to-fork scene—stars include Grange Restaurant & Bar and TableVine. In addition to its ample food options, Sac is also quietly one of the best beer and coffee cities in the country. Enjoy a cold one from Porchlight Brewing Co., Track Seven Brewing Co., or hop on the Sacramento Beer Train!
Midtown is one of the city’s most popular and expensive neighborhoods. Located near the state capitol building, just steps from the Sacramento river bank and the burgeoning Downtown district, this hood offers a killer food and nightlife scene as well as shops and a variety of places to live. Folsom is fabulous for families, while nearby Davis and Yuba City are also becoming popular places to live.
5. Santa Barbara
- Population of Santa Barbara: 90,911
- Average annual salary in Santa Barbara: $79,000
- Current median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,627/month
When it comes to charming coastal towns, Santa Barbara tops the list. Not only does this beachy town sunny average 283 sunny days per year, but it’s also considered to have a Mediterranean-type climate. Its very own Spanish-style mission, Santa Barbara Mission, attracts visitors from all over to explore the historic building and grounds.
For the adult beverage enthusiast, the Funk Zone offers 20+ wine tasting rooms and a handful of breweries, taprooms, and restaurants. Head to State Street for a little shopping and don’t miss out on the Santa Barbara Public Market for even more local food and drink options (we recommend stopping by Empty Bowl for Tawainese noodles and Thai soups). Are you starting to see why it’s one of the best places to live in Calfornia?
The city is also surrounded by natural beauty. Santa Barbara is nestled in between the Pacific Ocean and Los Padres National Forest, making for exquisite views in every direction. The mountains and neighboring valleys make for excellent grape-growing soil. Vineyards and wineries are sprinkled throughout the nearby towns, making Santa Barbara the perfect place for wine enthusiasts.
Frequently asked questions
California’s cost of living varies greatly depending on the region. Cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles tend to be more expensive, with higher housing costs, while more rural areas may have a lower cost of living.
California boasts a diverse economy with opportunities in technology (Silicon Valley), entertainment (Hollywood), agriculture, healthcare, and more. Major companies like Google, Apple, and Disney are headquartered here.
Cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles have public transportation systems, including buses and trains. However, due to the state’s size, many areas are car-dependent, especially in suburban and rural regions.
California has a mix of public and private schools, colleges, and universities. Notable institutions include the University of California system and Stanford University. Research schools based on your needs.
California’s climate varies from Mediterranean along the coast to desert and mountain climates. Coastal areas tend to have mild, sunny weather, while inland areas can experience hotter summers and colder winters.
California is renowned for its diverse recreational activities. Residents can enjoy beautiful beaches, hiking trails, national parks like Yosemite, skiing in the Sierra Nevada, and cultural attractions.
Ready to pick your West Coast city? Search thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Santa Barbara to find your new home.
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