Top LOOKS for California
Moving to California: What It’s Like to Live in the Golden State
California is more than sunshine and coastline; from its earliest days as a part of the U.S., it’s been a state built around possibility. People come for the climate, the industries, and the chance to live where culture and nature overlap. It’s home to world-class universities that produce more entrepreneurs and startups than all the other states combined. It has a massive economy larger than all but 4 countries, and its landscapes rival any in the world.
Yes, California is expensive. But it continues to attract those who value its mix of innovation and lifestyle. Many who leave eventually return, drawn back by opportunity, or the state’s unmatched mix of outdoor and urban life.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California remains the nation’s most populous state, with over 38 million residents. Growth has slowed, but migration within the state remains strong, from dense coastal metros to inland areas with more space and lower prices.
Cost of Living in California
California’s cost of living varies dramatically by region. While the Bay Area and coastal cities lead the nation in home prices, inland and northern regions remain surprisingly attainable.
- Home prices: The statewide median is about $780,000, with huge differences — $1.3M+ in San Francisco, $950K in Los Angeles, and $400K–$550K in inland metros like Sacramento or Riverside.
- Rent: Average statewide rent for a one-bedroom sits near $2,300, dropping below $1,800 in smaller cities like Fresno or Bakersfield.
- Taxes: California has a progressive income tax up to 13.3%; property taxes are moderate due to Prop 13 limits.
- Utilities: Higher than national averages, especially in desert or mountain climates.
- Groceries and healthcare: Roughly 15–20% above the U.S. average.
For most residents, the trade-off is lifestyle — access to opportunity, culture, and nature within reach of home.
TL;DR: California Regions at a Glance
Region------------------------------ What Works----------------------------Good Fit For
Southern California--------------------Climate, jobs, culture--------------------Professionals, creatives, families
(L.A., San Diego, Orange County)
Bay Area/Northern California-----------Innovation, diversity, natural beauty-------Tech workers, urbanists
Central Valley-------------------------Affordability, space-----------------------Families, first-time buyers
Central Coast-------------------------Coastal charm, moderate weather---------Retirees, remote professionals
(Santa Barbara to Monterey)
Inland Empire-------------------------New housing, affordability----------------Commuters, families
(Riverside, San Bernardino)
Sierra Nevada & Northern Towns--------Scenery, space, slower pace--------------Remote workers, retirees
Where in California Should You Live?
Southern California
Southern California offers beach towns, mountain views, and some of the state’s strongest job markets. Los Angeles and San Diego dominate, but smaller cities like Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Carlsbad attract movers for lifestyle and weather.
What Works: Climate, diversity, and career options.
Watch Out For: Cost and congestion.
Bay Area & Northern California
The Bay Area remains California’s innovation hub — home to Silicon Valley and global tech leadership. Beyond San Francisco, cities like Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose blend culture and opportunity.
What Works: Job density, education, and inclusivity.
Watch Out For: Housing costs and commutes.
Central Valley
Stretching from Bakersfield to Sacramento, the Central Valley provides the affordability missing on the coasts. Agriculture still drives the economy, but logistics and healthcare are expanding fast.
What Works: Cost of living, family housing, and access to major metros.
Watch Out For: Hot summers and fewer cultural amenities.
Central Coast
Between L.A. and the Bay Area sits a stretch of smaller, livable cities, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey among them. These towns offer a balance of nature, safety, and slower pace.
What Works: Weather, scenery, and community.
Watch Out For: Limited job base and high real estate prices.
Inland Empire
Once seen as commuter territory, Riverside and San Bernardino are now metros in their own right. Housing costs are lower, and new jobs in logistics and healthcare have strengthened the economy.
What Works: Affordability, family space, and growth.
Watch Out For: Traffic and smog.
Sierra Nevada & Northern Towns
Redding, Truckee, and Chico offer scenic living far from the coastal cost structure. Outdoor life dominates, and work-from-home options are fueling small-town growth.
What Works: Space, nature, and affordability.
Watch Out For: Wildfire risk and fewer services.
Best Cities in California to Consider
Los Angeles
Global, diverse, and endlessly creative.
San Diego
Coastal, calm, and high quality of life.
San Francisco
Historic, compact, and world-class.
Sacramento
Affordable, central, and growing fast.
Santa Barbara
Beachside elegance and easy living.
Fresno
Value-driven and family-oriented.
Palm Springs
Sunny, design-minded, and LGBTQ+ friendly.
Ventura
Beachy, relaxed, and still affordable (for California).
Is California Right for You?
California works for those who value lifestyle over budget. It’s a state of contrasts — where opportunity and expense live side by side. If you can balance cost with access, few places offer its mix of innovation, natural beauty, and freedom of choice.
FAQs About Living in California
Q: Is California too expensive?
A: It depends where you live. Coastal metros are pricey, but inland cities offer strong value.
Q: What are the safest cities?
A: Irvine, Fremont, and Thousand Oaks consistently rank among the safest large cities.
Q: Is California good for families?
A: Yes — especially in suburbs with strong schools like Walnut Creek, Irvine, and San Marcos.
Q: How’s the job market?
A: Still among the best in the U.S., driven by tech, healthcare, logistics, and creative fields.
Q: Do I need a car?
A: In most places, yes. Only San Francisco has strong enough transit to go car-free.
Q: What’s the weather like?
A: Mild year-round along the coast, hot inland, and snowy in the mountains — a true mix.
Ready to Find Your California Fit?
From surf towns to redwoods, California offers more lifestyle range than almost anywhere.
- Take the LookyLOO Quiz to discover your best-fit California cities and save them in your Movebook.