California has a cost of living index of 144 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $97,882 and a population of 37,459,622. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in California.
Ridgecrest is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $88,107 and a population of 28,138.
Visalia is 6% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $79,952 and a population of 142,649.
Rosedale is 22% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $134,697 and a population of 19,325.
Lemoore is 3% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $82,189 and a population of 27,023.
Hanford is 3% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $73,544 and a population of 59,389.
Golden Hills is 5% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $94,654 and a population of 10,445.
Olivehurst is 1% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $80,477 and a population of 19,071.
Tulare is 1% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $69,517 and a population of 69,984.
Rosamond is 0% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $77,773 and a population of 20,835.
Kingsburg is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $82,562 and a population of 12,589.
Sanger is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $74,428 and a population of 26,515.
Fresno is 5% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $66,804 and a population of 543,615.
Exeter is 5% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $71,198 and a population of 10,280.
Livingston is 2% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $76,158 and a population of 14,450.
Porterville is 8% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $59,012 and a population of 62,765.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.