When you’re looking for a place to live in California cities, you’ll likely find that prices can be much higher than when you’re searching elsewhere in the country. The cost of living, in general, is much higher than the national average, which means you can expect to pay more for rent as well. If you want a two-bedroom place in California, you can expect to pay $1723.
Depending on where you’re looking to live, you can find more affordable places than others. Today we are breaking down some of the largest cities throughout The Golden State and what you can expect to pay when renting in each place.
For more information about California’s cost of living, head on over to this site.
1) Los Angeles:
County: Los Angeles County
Population: 3.967 million
Average Rent Price: $2,368
Cost of Living: 173.3 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
Not only is LA the most populous city in the state, but it’s also one of the biggest cities in the country. Second to New York City. The city is located in Southern California and is home to Hollywood.
2) San Diego:
County: San Diego County
Population: 1.41 million
Average Rent Price: $2,237
Cost of Living: 160.1 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
Commonly referred to as the “Birthplace of California,” the city is located on the Pacific Ocean and adjacent to the Mexican border. The city is known for the mild year-round climate and a large number of beaches and parks.
3) San Jose:
County: Santa Clara County
Population: 1.028 million
Average Rent Price: $2,526
Cost of Living: 214.5 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
As the largest city in Northern California, San Jose is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley. San Jose is located on the southern shore of San Francisco Bay and is in one of the most affluent counties in the country.
4) San Francisco:
County: San Francisco County
Population: 3.314 million
Average Rent Price: $2,879
Cost of Living: 269.3 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
The city is a known tourist destination with cool summers, fog, and steep rolling hills. San Francisco is the cultural, commercial, and financial center in Northern California and as of 2019, San Francisco County had the seventh-highest income in the country.
5) Fresno:
County: Fresno County
Population: 525,010
Average Rent Price: $1,231
Cost of Living: 102.6 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
The city of Fresno sits in the center of San Joaquin Valley in the southern portion of California’s Central Valley. The city is the economic hub of Fresno County, where a good portion of the surrounding areas in the region is large-scale agricultural production.
6) Sacramento:
County: Sacramento County
Population: 500,930
Average Rent Price: $1,569
Cost of Living: 118.2 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
The city of Sacramento is the capital of the Golden State. And because of such, is the political center for the state. The city is currently one of the fastest-growing cities in California and is home to California State University, Sacramento and University of California, Davis.
7) Long Beach:
County: Los Angeles County
Population: 466,776
Average Rent Price: $2,135
Cost of Living: 101.9 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
Long Beach is located in the southern part of Los Angeles County and within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city is known for the waterfront attractions like the permanently docked RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
8) Oakland:
County: Alameda
Population: 425,097
Average Rent Price: $2,661
Cost of Living: 103.5 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
Located in the East Bay Region of the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland is the third-largest city in the area. The city serves as the trade center for the bay area, with Port of Oakland being the busiest port in the San Francisco Bay.
9) Bakersfield:
County: Kern County
Population: 377,917
Average Rent Price: $1,138
Cost of Living: 105 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
Bakersfield is located at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. As the largest city in Kern County, Bakersfield is the hub for both agriculture and energy production. The county is the most productive oil-producing county in the state while also the fourth most productive agricultural county in the country.
10) Anaheim:
County: Orange County
Population: 349,964
Average Rent Price: $1,889
Cost of Living: 257.1 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
As a part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, Anaheim is the largest city in Orange County. The city is home to Disneyland Resort as well as two major sports teams, the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Angels.
11) Irvine:County: Orange County
County: Orange County
Population: 273,157
Average Rent Price: $2,405
Cost of Living: 105.6 (where the US is at 100 and California is at 149.9)
Located in Orange County as a part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. In Irvine, there are several national and international headquarters for corporations in technology and semiconductors. The city is also home to several universities, including the University of California, Irvine, and Concordia University.
Even though we only covered a few of the larger cities in the amazing state of California, there are plenty of others you can choose to live in. Let us know in the comments what your favorite city in California is.
And if you’re looking for a new place to live, or are interested in moving to The Golden State, find your next dream apartment here. While on your search for the best apartments, be sure to check out, some of the most affordable places to live in California.