Best counties to live in California
Written by:
February 18, 2021
Craig Howell // Wikimedia Commons
Best counties to live in California
What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in California using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
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Canva
#20. Solano County
- Population: 441,829
- Median home value: $406,900 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,592 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $81,472
- Median home value: $406,900 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,592 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $81,472
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clr_flickr from Rocklin, USA // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Mono County
- Population: 14,310
- Median home value: $312,500 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,206 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $62,260
- Median home value: $312,500 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,206 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $62,260
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DimiTalen // Wikimedia Commons
#18. El Dorado County
- Population: 188,563
- Median home value: $460,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,260 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $83,377
- Median home value: $460,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,260 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $83,377
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Canva
#17. Ventura County
- Population: 847,263
- Median home value: $588,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,776 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $88,131
- Median home value: $588,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,776 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $88,131
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BDS2006 // Wikimedia
#16. Los Angeles County
- Population: 10,081,570
- Median home value: $583,200 (46% own)
- Median rent: $1,460 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $68,044
- Median home value: $583,200 (46% own)
- Median rent: $1,460 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $68,044
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Matt314 // Wikicommons
#15. Sonoma County
- Population: 499,772
- Median home value: $609,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,621 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $81,018
- Median home value: $609,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,621 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $81,018
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Stan Shebs // Wikicommons
#14. Napa County
- Population: 139,623
- Median home value: $635,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,700 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $88,596
- Median home value: $635,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,700 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $88,596
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Doug Olson // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Placer County
- Population: 385,512
- Median home value: $471,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,542 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $89,691
- Median home value: $471,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,542 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $89,691
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Basar // Wikicommons
#12. San Luis Obispo County
- Population: 282,165
- Median home value: $574,000 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,476 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $73,518
- Median home value: $574,000 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,476 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $73,518
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Pixabay
#11. Santa Barbara County
- Population: 444,829
- Median home value: $577,400 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,643 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $74,624
- Median home value: $577,400 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,643 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $74,624
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Epolk // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Yolo County
- Population: 217,352
- Median home value: $424,900 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,324 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $70,228
- Median home value: $424,900 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,324 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $70,228
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SD Dirk // Flickr
#9. San Diego County
- Population: 3,316,073
- Median home value: $563,700 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,658 (47% rent)
- Median household income: $78,980
- Median home value: $563,700 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,658 (47% rent)
- Median household income: $78,980
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Aaronbrick // Wikicommons
#8. Santa Cruz County
- Population: 273,962
- Median home value: $756,600 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,717 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $82,234
- Median home value: $756,600 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,717 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $82,234
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Canva
#7. Sacramento County
- Population: 1,524,553
- Median home value: $351,900 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,252 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $67,151
- Median home value: $351,900 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,252 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $67,151
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MARELBU // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Contra Costa County
- Population: 1,142,251
- Median home value: $625,800 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,819 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $99,716
- Median home value: $625,800 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,819 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $99,716
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Hollywood // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Orange County
- Population: 3,168,044
- Median home value: $679,300 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,854 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $90,234
- Median home value: $679,300 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,854 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $90,234
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Kglavin // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Marin County
- Population: 259,943
- Median home value: $995,800 (64% own)
- Median rent: $2,069 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $115,246
- Median home value: $995,800 (64% own)
- Median rent: $2,069 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $115,246
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Jennifer Williams // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Alameda County
- Population: 1,656,754
- Median home value: $769,300 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,797 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $99,406
- Median home value: $769,300 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,797 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $99,406
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Craig Howell // Wikimedia Commons
#2. San Mateo County
- Population: 767,423
- Median home value: $1,089,400 (60% own)
- Median rent: $2,316 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $122,641
- Median home value: $1,089,400 (60% own)
- Median rent: $2,316 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $122,641
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Uladzik Kryhin // Shutterstock
#1. Santa Clara County
- Population: 1,927,470
- Median home value: $984,000 (56% own)
- Median rent: $2,268 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $124,055
- Median home value: $984,000 (56% own)
- Median rent: $2,268 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $124,055
