Top Places to Live in California 2025: Best Cities & Suburbs

Choosing the best places to live in California can be a daunting task for students, given the state's diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and picturesque suburbs. From the trendy city centers of Los Angeles and San Francisco, with their renowned universities and cultural scenes, to the student-friendly suburban communities of Irvine and Palo Alto, each location offers something special. Whether you're seeking a dynamic city atmosphere, proximity to top-tier colleges, or a peaceful study environment, our guide to the best places to live in California will help you find the ideal spot to support your academic journey.

Top Cities in California

Be it diversified landscapes, vibrant culture, or opportunities to set up lucrative businesses, California simply houses some of the most favored places to live within the United States. This will change the very style of your life if you are a young graduate stepping into the workforce or a student aiming at higher studies to find the best places to live in California. 

1. San Francisco

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $1,300. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $3,500
Popular attractions: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Chinatown.

San Francisco is one of the best places to live in California, known for its tech-savvy ambiance and iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It's a hub for innovation and cultural experiences.

Universities: The city of San Francisco contains the best universities, like Stanford and UC Berkeley, allowing a wide array of educational prospects. It has an impressive job market in the technology and financial sectors.
Lifestyle: A hub of arts performances, world-class dining, and beautiful parks like Golden Gate Park.

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2. Los Angeles

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $1,100. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $2,600.
Popular attractions: Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, The Getty Center.

Los Angeles is one of the best places in California to live, ideal for those seeking a dynamic lifestyle and the best city to live in California for those interested in media and entertainment.

Universities: With top institutions like UCLA and USC, LA becomes a city perfect for students and young professionals who want to be in film, media, and technology.
Lifestyle: With the glamour of Hollywood attractions and beautiful beaches in this eclectic neighborhood, LA offers a dynamic lifestyle.

3. San Diego

Average cost of living:  Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $1,100. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $2,400.
Popular attractions: San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, SeaWorld San Diego, La Jolla Cove, Gaslamp Quarter.

San Diego offers relaxed living, boasting beautiful beaches and great schools right from elementary to top-quality universities. It's one of the best places to live in California for young adults.

Universities: It has the University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University as its answer card leaders for higher education. The city also boasts a strong job market in biotech and healthcare.
Lifestyle: It has a tempered climate year-round, epitomizes outdoor activities, and a lively downtown area.

Best Suburbs in California

Find the best suburbs of California, with a people-friendly approach, being comfortable, safe, and with excellent educational pathways for young students and professionals. California offers an unparalleled blend of landscapes, culture, and opportunities. Whether you're a recent graduate entering the workforce or a student pursuing higher education, finding the right city or suburb here can significantly enhance your life. In today's digital age, exploring innovative fields is easier than ever; resources like digiportal provide valuable insights. Killian Smith, the mind behind DigiPortal, is a renowned researcher and publisher contributed significantly to this field.

1. Irvine

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $1,100. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $2,600.
Popular attractions: Irvine Spectrum Center, Orange County Great Park, Pretend City Children's Museum, Bommer Canyon.

Among the most updated lists, Irvine joins because of its fine education system and safety, making it one of the best places to live in California.

Universities: The University of California, Irvine's UCI, is located in this suburb and serves as an excellent educational setting, with varied opportunities in Information Technology and Education.
Lifestyle: Irvine is beautiful with its many parks and bike trails, yet it offers a good variety of cultural events, too.

2. Palo Alto

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $1,200. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $3,100.
Popular attractions: Stanford University, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, Cantor Arts Center.

Another big city in Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is one of the best places to live in California if one is into computers or studying.

Universities: Big names include Stanford University with various tech companies like Google, and Facebook. Good job market and a solid place to work in technology and innovation.
Lifestyle: Both urban and suburban living with many of the top-rated schools, parks, and a lively downtown area.

3. Santa Clara

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $1,200. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $2,800.
Popular attractions: California's Great America, Levi's Stadium, Intel Museum, Triton Museum of Art, Central Park.

Santa Clara offers suburban comfort and the convenience of urban life, making it one of the best places to live in California for young adults.

Universities: Santa Clara University and a good job market in technology are major draws for students. Several major corporations also call the city home.
Lifestyle: Shopping, dining, and entertainment options with beautiful parks and recreational facilities.

4. Sacramento

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $1,000. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $1,600.
Popular attractions: California State Capitol, Old Sacramento, Sacramento Zoo, Crocker Art Museum, American River Bike Trail.

The state capital, Sacramento, has a more affordable cost of living and a strong job market with quality educational institutions. It's one of the affordable places to live in California.

Universities: On top of California State University, Sacramento, is now a prominent tech and healthcare job market that makes this area tremendously desirable.
Lifestyle: For those desiring a quicker pace of living, it offers numerous parks, historical points of interest, and a new food scene.

5. Fresno

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $950. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $1,200.
Popular attractions: Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Woodward Park, Island Waterpark, Fresno Art Museum.

Though Fresno boasts affordability and natural attractions, it has more to it, including Yosemite National Park right next door, making it one of the cheapest places to live in California.

Universities: Fresno State University offers a decent education; the cost of living is pretty cheap compared to coastal cities.
Lifestyle: You get to see a mix of urban and rural living with easy access to different outdoor activities.

6. Bakersfield

Average cost of living: Monthly cost (single person, without rent): $900. Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment): $1,000.
Popular attractions: Kern County Museum, Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, California Living Museum (CALM), Hart Park, Fox Theater.

Bakersfield offers affordable living with a growing job market in the energy, agriculture, and health industries. It's often considered one of the best places to live in California for those seeking a balance of affordability and job opportunities.

Universities: This county is suitable for both students and young families due to cheap housing and quite good-quality community colleges.
Lifestyle: Comfortable suburban living with a touch of retaining a rural feel, quite close to nature outdoors with its recreational facilities.

It's a state of beautiful opportunities and lifestyles that allows the comfort for students and young adults to chase their path. From fast-paced city life in San Francisco and Los Angeles to the tech-savvy suburbs of Palo Alto and Irvine, or Sacramento and Fresno, within this affordable yet vibrant class, all types can find a place for themselves in the Golden State. Follow through with this all-inclusive guide, and you will know the places to live in California to make a well-informed decision regarding the best area for you in 2024.