Widgets Magazine

Top 10 Best places to live in California with the Best quality of life – 2023

Last updated on: August 2, 2023

California is among the most significant states in the nation, both in terms of land size and population, so it offers a vast region for people to live in. It is a great place to be a nature-lover and an outdoor enthusiast and one of the best places to consider moving to. It has the biggest public university system in the country, with a nearly endless variety of job opportunities for new residents. California is also one of the most expensive places to move to in America, and some of its cities are noted for high crime rates. However, we compiled this list of the top 10 best places to live in California in 2023 with low crime rates and affordability. While these cities may not be the biggest or most popular, they have been chosen based on their quality of life.

(*Smart Asset & Embrace SomePlace)

Methodology

“Best” being a subjective word, below is our methodology to compile the best places.

Using our existing ranking of the safest and cheapest places to live in California, we based our ranking on 3 criteria: safety, affordability and access to recreational facilities and parks.

Safety is measured based on the 3 following criteria: the violent-crime rate, the property crime rate, and the total crime rate (the sum of both property and violent-crime rates). Statistics come from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. As a reference, the United States of America recently registered an average rate of 308 violent-crimes per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 1958.

Affordability takes into account the prices of housing and renting. Statistics come from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).

Finally, we used the following data to rank the 10 best places to live in California while also taking into account their quality of life. Health, pollution, green spaces and recreation, climate, education and employment are the criteria involved to determine the quality of life.

1. Irvine

Best for raising a family

Population: 309,031
Average monthly cost of living: $2,607

Irvine has been ranked one of the best places to live in California and named the second-best city to raise a family because of its high marks in health, socioeconomics, and education. It boasts an excellent education system. The University of California at Irvine is one of the country’s best schools. It is the safest city in California with a crime rate of 17 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 56.41% lower than the average crime rate in California. It is also good to know that their waste management is excellent and recycling is enthusiastically encouraged.

One of the main reasons is that Irvine hosts several large employers within its city limit as a result of the economy there being robust and vibrant. If you are a young professional looking for growth opportunities, then moving to Irvine is a step in the right direction.

(*Ca Storage, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov & Living Cost Org)

Irvine, California

2. Holtville

Badge top rated schools

Population: 5,582
Average monthly cost of living: $3,315

Holtville, formerly known as Holton, is a city in Imperial County, California. In this city, you can find many restaurants, bars, and stores with everyday essentials. If you have children, you will be glad to know that public schools in Holtville are excellent as they are rated above average. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Holtville is around $150,900. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Holtville is around $716 per month. Holtville is definitely one of the most affordable places to live in California. With a crime rate of 17.13 per 1,000 people, which is 56.07% lower than the average crime rate in California.

(*AreaVibes, Niche, Holtville, Neighborhoodscout & Census.gov)

Holtville, California

Ads

3. Clovis

Best for quality healthcare and schools

Population: 122,989
Average monthly cost of living: $1,953

Clovis’s economy is fueled by retail sales and services and light manufacturing. It is also famous for its quality hospital care, responsive safety services, a mild climate, excellent schools with modern facilities, varied recreational opportunities, strong community identity, and affordable housing. The Clovis Unified School District is a prestigious establishment which provides exceptional quality education to the Clovis community. All these make it one of the best cities to live in California. You can find a house in Clovis, California, for $263,500. While the rent in Clovis is an average of $1,093 per month. With a crime rate of 21.91 per 1,000 people, which is 43.82% lower than the average crime rate in California, residents can rest easy knowing that it is one of the best places to live in California.

(*AreaVibes, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov & Living Cost Org)

Clovis, California

4. San Diego

Best for young professionals looking for career growth

Population: 1.38 million
Average monthly cost of living: $2,797

San Diego is nicknamed America’s Finest City and one of the best places to live in California. It offers world-class dining, professional sports, and entertainment options typical of a large metro area. Living in San Diego is more affordable than in another large metro city, the unemployment rate in San Diego is lower than the state average, and the city’s average wages are higher than the national average. This city has so many incredible areas to live in. Suppose you’re looking to bring your family to San Diego (or start a family once you get there), in that case, you’ll have plenty of excellent educational opportunities from the several school districts serving the city. San Diego has also ranked one of the safest cities in California. With a crime rate of 21.98 per 1,000 people, which is 43.64% lower than the average crime rate in California, residents in San Diego can rest easy knowing that it is one of the best places to live in California.

(*PODS, Extra Space, Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov & Living Cost Org)

San Diego, California

5. San Juan Capistrano

Best for safety

Population: 36,209
Average monthly cost of living: $1,946

In San Juan Capistrano the average crime rate is 23.08 per 1,000 people, which is 40.82% less than California’s average crime rate. This makes this place one of the safest cities in California. In San Juan Capistrano, there are a lot of coffee shops and restaurants where residents enjoy Mediterranean dishes and world-class Mexican cuisine. The city has one high school, which is highly rated, although many students attend high schools in neighboring cities.

(*FBI Uniform Crime Reporting and Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

San Juan Capistrano, California

6. Pasadena

Best for affordable cost of living

Population: 135,732
Average monthly cost of living: $2,856

Pasadena is another city that holds its record as one of the best cities to live in California. It is a quiet, well-kept, and cultured city. The cost of living in Pasadena is lower than the national average and most cities in the state. Additionally, their crime rates are lower than other urban areas, nationally and statewide. Considering factors such as public school graduation rates, enrollment rates, teacher-to-student ratios, and student and parent reviews, education in the area is good. Pasadena is also the perfect place to move to if you like majestic architecture, lush greenery, and beautiful weather. With a crime rate of 25.20 per 1,000 people, which is 35.38% lower than the average violent crime rate in California,

(*Neighborhoodscout, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Pasadena, California

7. Palo Alto

Best for nightlife and outdoor activities

Population: 66,680
Average monthly cost of living: $2,864

Palo Alto is a gorgeous city known to be one of the best cities in California. This city provides a safe, friendly environment for all its residents. The city is known for pleasant weather, active nightlife, and various outdoor activities. Palo Alto provides a comfortable culture and desirable lifestyle for all their residents and is known to have plenty of fantastic neighborhoods. Many parks and shops are nearby, making it a fun place to raise kids. The excellent schools in Palo Alto attract many people to the area. All of these schools are highly complimented on their diverse environment, student progress, and students’ high test scores. With a crime rate of 27.4 per 1,000 people, which is 29.74% lower than the average crime rate in California, residents can rest easy knowing that it is one of the best places to live in California.

(*Bekins, Palo Alto, Census.gov & Living Cost Org)

Palo Alto, California

8. Santa Clara

Best for young professionals looking for career growth

Population: 127,151
Average monthly cost of living: $2,319

Santa Clara is one of the best and wealthiest cities in the United States, with fantastic weather. The unemployment rate in Santa Clara is below average and it ranks well in a combination of education, crime, cost of living, diversity and has something for everyone. In addition, Santa Clara has lower utility bills since the city owns and operates its own water/electricity. It has bars and restaurants within walking distance. Also, It has great benefits for families, such as family-friendly neighborhoods, reputable public schools, fun entertainment options for all ages, and is one of the safest cities and counties in the country. With a crime rate of 27.62 per 1,000 people, which is 29.17% lower than the average crime rate in California.

(*Up Homes, Citytistics, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Santa Clara, California

9. Berkeley

Best for tranquility

Population: 117,145
Average monthly cost of living: $2,751

Berkeley is ranked the third best city to live in America. Berkeley scored big in categories like commute, quality of local schools, low crime rates, housing trends, weather, nightlife, and employment statistics, among others. The city is known to be the healthiest place to live in America. In addition, Berkley is home to one of the most well known universities known as University of California, Berkeley. The area is among the country’s most ethnically and socially diverse making Berkley one of the best places to live in California. With a crime rate of 28.50 per 1,000 people, which is 26.92% lower than the average crime rate in California.

(*NBC, Property Listings, Best Places, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Berkeley, California

10. Sacramento

Best for raising a family

Population: 525,041
Average monthly cost of living: $2,380

Sacramento is among some of the best places to live in California and some of the most affordable. The city’s cost of living is lower than the state average. Sacramento is now among the top U.S. cities for job seekers, as the area is one of the best metro areas for job creation. It is home to multiple sports teams; there is no shortage of games to watch and groups to support. On the weekend, you may enjoy Capitol Park, shopping, and restaurants to unwind. Families with young children are happy to know that their school system is among the best, as many opportunities and resources are available for students and excellent recreational activities for children. With a crime rate of 38.11 per 1,000 people, which is 2.28% lower than the average crime rate in California.

(*Up Homes, Extra Space, Crime Grade, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

Sacramento, California

Conclusion

California is among the best states to live in regarding the quality of life. While the average cost of living and property prices are significantly higher in California than in other US cities, there is also the potential for higher-than-average salary costs. It is a great place to be a nature lover and an outdoor enthusiast. There are plenty of great reasons to live in California considering the affordability and safety. With this ranking of the best places to live in California, you should be able to make a choice on your next move! Are you moving soon? Find out the best Los Angeles movers!

Last year's ranking (2022)

1. Irvine
2. San Diego
3. Clovis
4. Palo Alto
5. Holtville
6. Berkley
7. Pasadena
8. Santa Clara
9. Sacramento
10. San Juan Capistrano

Share this article on social media

The expert

Mathieu Paquette

The author of this article also acts as MovingWaldo’s booking agent. Matt, is an accomplished relocation specialist with over 6 years of experience in the industry. Matt has earned a CAM certification (Canadian Association Of Movers), Tariff Certification (Atlas Van Lines), and has an extensive business background. Before handing off everything you own, do your due diligence… or let Matt do it for you.

Provide Matt with your move criteria. He will calculate quotes from verified movers, using the same metrics. This will make it simple to compare and book your move.