Best places to retire in California
Written by:
April 10, 2021
realtor.com
Best places to retire in California
For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. After all that anticipation, deciding where to spend that precious time can be a tough decision, so Stacker looked to data and rankings from Niche to compile a list of the best places to retire in California. Niche ranks places to retire based on a variety of factors including cost of living, health care, recreation, and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters. Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference, as well.
Keep reading to discover the best places to retire in California.
You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes
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#25. Walnut Creek
- Population: 69,567
- Median home value: $793,100 (65% own)
- Median rent: $2,095 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $105,948
- Pictured: 1686 Sorrel Dr, Walnut Creek ($2.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $793,100 (65% own)
- Median rent: $2,095 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $105,948
- Pictured: 1686 Sorrel Dr, Walnut Creek ($2.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#24. Santa Venetia
- Population: 4,474
- Median home value: $798,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,417 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $93,194
- Pictured: 323 Upper Rd, San Rafael ($1.7 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $798,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,417 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $93,194
- Pictured: 323 Upper Rd, San Rafael ($1.7 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#23. North Tustin
- Population: 24,705
- Median home value: $926,100 (92% own)
- Median rent: $2,033 (8% rent)
- Median household income: $156,176
- Pictured: 10472 Villa Del Cerro, North Tustin ($8.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $926,100 (92% own)
- Median rent: $2,033 (8% rent)
- Median household income: $156,176
- Pictured: 10472 Villa Del Cerro, North Tustin ($8.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#22. Manhattan Beach
- Population: 35,500
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (70% own)
- Median rent: $2,628 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $153,023
- Pictured: 508 The Strand, Manhattan Beach ($19.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (70% own)
- Median rent: $2,628 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $153,023
- Pictured: 508 The Strand, Manhattan Beach ($19.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#21. Tiburon
- Population: 9,144
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (67% own)
- Median rent: $2,440 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $154,915
- Pictured: 185 Gilmartin Dr, Tiburon ($17.8 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (67% own)
- Median rent: $2,440 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $154,915
- Pictured: 185 Gilmartin Dr, Tiburon ($17.8 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#20. Cerritos
- Population: 50,143
- Median home value: $685,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $2,410 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $106,190
- Pictured: 12716 Brian Ct, Cerritos ($1.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $685,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $2,410 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $106,190
- Pictured: 12716 Brian Ct, Cerritos ($1.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#19. Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Population: 3,830
- Median home value: $1,550,600 (57% own)
- Median rent: $2,209 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $98,188
- Pictured: 1 Sand and Sea, Carmel ($9.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,550,600 (57% own)
- Median rent: $2,209 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $98,188
- Pictured: 1 Sand and Sea, Carmel ($9.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#18. Cedar Ridge
- Population: 1,015
- Median home value: $279,200 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,130 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $63,529
- Pictured: 16640 Charles Otter Dr, Sonora ($749,950, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $279,200 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,130 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $63,529
- Pictured: 16640 Charles Otter Dr, Sonora ($749,950, 4 bedrooms)
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#17. Alamo
- Population: 14,905
- Median home value: $1,670,500 (93% own)
- Median rent: $2,796 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $239,545
- Pictured: 322 Lark Ln, Alamo ($19.8 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,670,500 (93% own)
- Median rent: $2,796 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $239,545
- Pictured: 322 Lark Ln, Alamo ($19.8 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#16. Montecito
- Population: 8,245
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (72% own)
- Median rent: $2,404 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $159,706
- Pictured: 749 San Ysidro Rd, Santa Barbara ($62.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (72% own)
- Median rent: $2,404 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $159,706
- Pictured: 749 San Ysidro Rd, Santa Barbara ($62.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#15. Palos Verdes Estates
- Population: 13,434
- Median home value: $2,000,000 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,683 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $194,543
- Pictured: 2729 Via Oleadas, Palos Verdes Estates ($20.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,000 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,683 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $194,543
- Pictured: 2729 Via Oleadas, Palos Verdes Estates ($20.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#14. Villa Park
- Population: 5,861
- Median home value: $1,184,100 (97% own)
- Median rent: $3,501 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $165,000
- Pictured: 19051 Cerro Villa Dr, Villa Park ($4.4 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,184,100 (97% own)
- Median rent: $3,501 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $165,000
- Pictured: 19051 Cerro Villa Dr, Villa Park ($4.4 million, 9 bedrooms)
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#13. Newport Beach
- Population: 85,694
- Median home value: $1,898,900 (57% own)
- Median rent: $2,251 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $127,223
- Pictured: 4541 Brighton Rd, Corona Del Mar ($35.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,898,900 (57% own)
- Median rent: $2,251 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $127,223
- Pictured: 4541 Brighton Rd, Corona Del Mar ($35.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#12. Belvedere
- Population: 2,134
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (76% own)
- Median rent: $2,690 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $245,208
- Pictured: 74 Bellevue Ave, Belvedere ($25.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (76% own)
- Median rent: $2,690 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $245,208
- Pictured: 74 Bellevue Ave, Belvedere ($25.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#11. Rancho Mirage
- Population: 18,193
- Median home value: $498,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,191 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $78,682
- Pictured: 38 Sky Ridge Rd, Rancho Mirage ($13.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $498,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,191 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $78,682
- Pictured: 38 Sky Ridge Rd, Rancho Mirage ($13.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#10. Piedmont
- Population: 11,317
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (88% own)
- Median rent: $3,229 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $224,659
- Pictured: 52 Glen Alpine Rd, Piedmont ($12.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (88% own)
- Median rent: $3,229 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $224,659
- Pictured: 52 Glen Alpine Rd, Piedmont ($12.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
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#9. Beverly Hills
- Population: 34,186
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (41% own)
- Median rent: $2,244 (59% rent)
- Median household income: $106,936
- Pictured: 1210 Benedict Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills ($115.0 million, 11 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (41% own)
- Median rent: $2,244 (59% rent)
- Median household income: $106,936
- Pictured: 1210 Benedict Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills ($115.0 million, 11 bedrooms)
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#8. Pacific Grove
- Population: 15,522
- Median home value: $857,900 (46% own)
- Median rent: $1,758 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $88,250
- Pictured: 1359 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove ($6.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $857,900 (46% own)
- Median rent: $1,758 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $88,250
- Pictured: 1359 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove ($6.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#7. Corte Madera
- Population: 9,838
- Median home value: $1,200,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $2,642 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $149,439
- Pictured: 570 Chapman Dr, Corte Madera ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,200,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $2,642 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $149,439
- Pictured: 570 Chapman Dr, Corte Madera ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#6. Seal Beach
- Population: 24,204
- Median home value: $371,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,907 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $68,852
- Pictured: 206 Ocean Ave, Seal Beach ($8.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $371,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,907 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $68,852
- Pictured: 206 Ocean Ave, Seal Beach ($8.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#5. Del Mar
- Population: 4,331
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (53% own)
- Median rent: $2,320 (47% rent)
- Median household income: $129,063
- Pictured: 110 15th St, Del Mar ($17.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (53% own)
- Median rent: $2,320 (47% rent)
- Median household income: $129,063
- Pictured: 110 15th St, Del Mar ($17.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#4. Laguna Woods
- Population: 16,053
- Median home value: $288,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,755 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $44,020
- Pictured: 5025 Avenida Del Sol, Laguna Woods ($849,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $288,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,755 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $44,020
- Pictured: 5025 Avenida Del Sol, Laguna Woods ($849,000, 2 bedrooms)
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#3. Larkspur
- Population: 12,319
- Median home value: $1,309,200 (51% own)
- Median rent: $2,080 (49% rent)
- Median household income: $109,426
- Pictured: 346 Riviera Cir, Larkspur ($3.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,309,200 (51% own)
- Median rent: $2,080 (49% rent)
- Median household income: $109,426
- Pictured: 346 Riviera Cir, Larkspur ($3.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#2. Indian Wells
- Population: 5,370
- Median home value: $722,500 (84% own)
- Median rent: $788 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $107,500
- Pictured: 75297 Falling Rock Ln, Indian Wells ($18.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $722,500 (84% own)
- Median rent: $788 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $107,500
- Pictured: 75297 Falling Rock Ln, Indian Wells ($18.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#1. Del Monte Forest
- Population: 4,105
- Median home value: $1,356,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $2,914 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $147,500
- Pictured: 1470 Cypress Dr, Pebble Beach ($29.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,356,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $2,914 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $147,500
- Pictured: 1470 Cypress Dr, Pebble Beach ($29.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
