California moving guide

Where should I move in California?

We ranked 348 California cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   El Dorado Hills

   Home $870,300 · Rent $2,468 · Income $163,544 · Unemployment 4.2%
   92/100
2. 2

   Mountain House

   Home $859,700 · Rent $3,232 · Income $171,675 · Unemployment 2.5%
   91/100
3. 3

   North Tustin

   Home $1,212,400 · Rent $2,397 · Income $186,250 · Unemployment 4.3%
   85/100
4. 4

   Eastvale

   Home $752,000 · Rent $3,065 · Income $161,322 · Unemployment 4.7%
   84/100
5. 5

   Folsom

   Home $702,200 · Rent $2,279 · Income $139,263 · Unemployment 5.1%
   84/100
6. 6

   Roseville

   Home $630,600 · Rent $2,099 · Income $117,354 · Unemployment 4.8%
   83/100
7. 7

   Hercules

   Home $741,200 · Rent $3,003 · Income $130,583 · Unemployment 4.7%
   81/100
8. 8

   Rocklin

   Home $673,300 · Rent $2,178 · Income $120,916 · Unemployment 4.8%
   81/100
9. 9

   Twentynine Palms

   Home $238,400 · Rent $1,271 · Income $56,000 · Unemployment 4.3%
   81/100
10. 10

    Lincoln

    Home $628,500 · Rent $2,081 · Income $108,108 · Unemployment 4.3%
    79/100
11. 11

    Orcutt

    Home $587,000 · Rent $2,094 · Income $108,682 · Unemployment 3.4%
    76/100
12. 12

    Temescal Valley

    Home $648,200 · Rent $2,794 · Income $119,647 · Unemployment 4.6%
    76/100
13. 13

    Lake Forest

    Home $876,300 · Rent $2,616 · Income $131,378 · Unemployment 4.6%
    75/100
14. 14

    Clovis

    Home $453,300 · Rent $1,662 · Income $100,360 · Unemployment 5.9%
    74/100
15. 15

    Dublin

    Home $1,224,100 · Rent $3,174 · Income $205,046 · Unemployment 3.5%
    74/100

Statewide, California recorded 2,256 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #9 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in California to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.