Top 10 Most Affordable Places to Live in California

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What are the top 10 most affordable places to live in California?

When you think about California, “affordability” usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Home prices in California have soared over the past two years. The Cost of Living in California now makes it one of the most expensive places in the United States. Some cities with the highest price tags include San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where the average home price is over $600,000.

Not all of California has to be expensive. We came up with a list of California’s low-cost of living cities that are also cool places to live. These cities are not only inexpensive, but they are also safe and offer a variety of amenities, good schools, job prospects, and attractions so that you can enjoy living there.

Our List of the 10 Most Affordable Places to Live in California:

1. Avenal
2. Clearlake
3. Vacaville
4. Blythe
5. Chico
6. Yuba City
7. Clovis
8. Crescent City
9. Eureka
10. Bakersfield

Avenal

Median Home Price: $185,000

Avenal is quite possibly, the cheapest city to live in California. The cost of living index in Avenal is 95, which ranks about 30% lower than the rest of California. The low cost of living is reflected across housing, groceries, health care, transport, and utilities. Avenal is also one of the cities with the cheapest rent in California. Despite being one of the cheapest places to live in California, it offers an excellent quality of life. There are parks, a sports complex, pleasant outdoor spaces, shops, and food places. Another appealing feature of Avenal is that it boasts excellent public schools. Furthermore, there are plenty of employment opportunities in a variety of sectors.

Clearlake

Median Home Price: $262,000

You can find the quaint town of Clearlake about two and a half hours north of San Francisco on a beautiful mountain lake. Clearlake has a small population of around 15,000 and is surrounded by nature. This hidden gem is also one of the most affordable places to live in California. Those residing in Clear Lake can take advantage of beautiful mountain scenery, wineries, outdoor activities, and cheap housing. It is also considered one of the cheapest places to retire in California.

Vacaville

Median Home Price: $562,500

Vacaville is another one of the most affordable cities in California, known for its beautiful greenery. The cost of living in California is unattainable for most, but Vacaville offers some of the most affordable homes in California compared to other home prices in California. Vacaville has many outdoor parks and trails, and wildlife. In addition, residents love living in Vacaville because it’s an excellent place to raise a family with a high safety rating and good public schools. These assets have led many young professionals and families to Vacaville.

Blythe

Median Home Price: $265,000

You can also find many cheap houses to buy in Blythe, California. The cost of living in Blythe is around 33 percent lower than the average cost of living in California. Despite being one of the cheapest places to live in California, Blythe offers an excellent quality of life that combines small-town living with the California lifestyle. Blythe is located on the Colorado River, approximately 220 miles east of Los Angeles, and it has a population of only 20 thousand people.

Chico

Median Home Price: $479,000

It might be hard to find homes for sale in California as affordable as they are in Chico. Chico is one of the best places to live in California, with plenty of cheap property for sale.

Yuba City

Median Home Price: $447,000

Yuba City is a small town located in Sutter County, around a 45-minute drive north of Sacramento. According to Redfin, the median home price is $447,000, making it one of the most affordable cities by California’s standards. Aside from being one of the cheapest cities to buy in California, there are many opportunities for growth in Yuba City. Again, this makes it one of California’s most affordable and best places to live.

San Bernadino

Median Home Price: $450,000

San Bernadino is also one of the cheapest places to live in California.

With plenty of nightlife and entertainment, and attractions, it’s considered a cool place to live for both working professionals and families alike. San Bernadino is also known for its beautiful country surroundings with mountains, hot springs, and natural areas for those who want to escape the California big cities.

Crescent City

Median Home Price: $330,000

Crescent City is a quaint, family-friendly beach town located on the coast and is one of the best cities in Northern California. Unfortunately, in 1964 a tsunami destroyed most of the city. Since then, it has rebuilt itself to be one of the most affordable cities in California and one of the best places to live in the Golden State. Its famous beaches attract surfers from all over the country. In addition, its many attractions, such as Ocean World Aquarium, are popular with tourists and families.

Eureka

Median Home Price: $419,000

Among other affordable Northern California cities is Eureka. Eureka may be the best place to live in California to avoid the high cost of living and sunburns. Eureka is located between San Francisco and Portland and is one of California’s cheapest places to live. In addition, Eureka is known for its delicious oysters and its unique Victorian architecture. The beautiful oceanside combined with National and State Parks make this seaside haven one of the best places to live in California on a budget.

Bakersfield

Median Home Price: $351,632

Bakersfield is one of the most affordable large cities to live in California. Located just about two hours north of the Los Angeles metropolis, Bakersfield is one of the best big cities in California, with a cost of living far below the rest of the state. As a result, families often move to Bakersfield for affordable housing and job opportunities in the local oil and agriculture sectors. In addition, Bakersfield is widely known for its country music, making it an excellent place to live for entertainment lovers.

FAQ

What city in California has the lowest cost of living?

Living in California doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. There are many places in California where you can still find a low cost of living. Avenal is arguably one of the cheapest places to live in California, with many neighborhoods where you can find a cheap house for around $200,000.

Where is the safest and cheapest place to live in California?

Bakersfield is one of the safest and most affordable places to live in California. Apart from having some of the cheapest house prices in California, Bakersfield also offers plenty to do for families and has many industrial and agricultural job opportunities.

Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in California?

Clovis is considered by many to be one of the best places to live in Northern California with a low cost of living. In addition, the town ranks high in terms of school ratings, crime and safety, diversity, nightlife, and good quality of life for families. Clovis also has many activities, including 285 acres of trails, parks, a farmer’s market, and famous summertime festivals such as Big Hat Days.

Where can I move in California with no money?

If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, Chico is one of the cheapest cities in California. Chico is located in Northern California, about an hour and a half north of Sacramento. Chico is known as the “City of Trees,” with many parks and recreational areas for residents to enjoy. In addition, downtown Chico has many restaurants and bars. Apart from having a high quality of life and cheap housing, many education and job opportunities are also available.

Is California a good place to live in 2022?

There are many good reasons to live in California. However, the average cost of living in many parts of the state is very high. Nevertheless, if you know where to look, you can still find many affordable places to live in California.

Where should I move to in California?

If you’re looking for cheap houses in California, Blythe might be the place for you. The small-town California lifestyle makes Blythe considered by many to be one of the best places to live in California. The town also ranks higher than others in terms of schools, crime, safety, diversity, nightlife, and quality of life.

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How do I get affordable housing in California?

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a list of Agencies in California to help low-income families secure government assistance through public housing or Section 8 and find affordable places to live in California.

What is the best area to live in California?

There are many affordable cities to live in California. In fact, Eureka may be the best place to live in California if you want to avoid high costs of living and sunburns. Eureka is located between San Francisco and Portland and is one of California’s cheapest places to live. In addition, Eureka is known for its delicious oysters and its unique Victorian architecture.

Where is the cheapest place to live near the beach?

Crescent city is one of the cheapest places to live near the beach and one of the most affordable cities in Northern California. Crescent City has something for everyone with Redwood parks, beautiful beaches, and scenery.

Is California expensive to live in?

According to a 2020 Cost of Living Index, the average city in California has a 38% higher cost of living than the average city in the nation. However, keep in mind that California is the third-largest state, and the cost of living will vary from city to city.

Is California the most expensive state to live in?

California is one of the most expensive states to live in. We’ve compiled a list of the five most expensive states in the United States:

1. Hawaii

2. California

3. Massachusetts

4. New Jersey

5. Connecticut

Summary

Choosing an affordable place to buy a home in California is not easy, but it’s also not impossible. Most cities in California have become expensive, but not all of them are. The Golden State may have a pricey reputation, but you can still find many affordable places to live if you know where to look.