Where are the best cities to retire in California? New study lists top 10 spots
From laid-back beach towns to bustling big cities, California offers a retirement lifestyle for just about everyone.
However, settling down in California can be difficult due to the high cost of living, a new report from retirement planning site Retirement Living.
“California is one of the most expensive states for retirees in the country,” Retirement Living said in its May 4 report.
To help older adults find spots that offer both value and quality of life, Retirement Living ranked the best cities to retire in California based on factors including affordability, safety, healthcare access and overall livability.
“The top five cities on our list all stand out for being relatively close to major metros like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno and Sacramento, suggesting that retirees can still enjoy big city perks like the arts, dining and shopping without paying big city prices,” Retirement Living said.
Here are the top 10 best cities to retire in California:
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy we did this story
Our community-driven series — How to California — is here to answer your questions about state laws, history, culture, recreation and travel in the Golden State.
McClatchy’s service journalism team, focused on helping our readers navigate daily life, works in communities across the state, including San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Merced, Modesto and Sacramento.
Ask us your questions — big and small — by emailing howtocalifornia@mcclatchy.com or filling out a form here.
What’s the best city to retire in California?
According to Retirement Living, Chico ranks as the best city in California for retirees due to its affordability.
“Retirees hoping to save on housing should look to Chico,” the retirement site said.
Chico earned the state’s top affordability score, with a median monthly rent of $1,625 — which is below California’s statewide median rent of $2,657.
“This, along with its relatively low percentage of cost-burdened households and low median home sale price, makes Chico the most affordable city for retirees on our list,” Retirement Living said.
However, the site said, there are some downsides when it comes to living in Chico.
Chico’s violent crime rate is nearly double the national average, and the area remains vulnerable to wildfires and other natural disasters.
In 2018, the Camp Fire — considered the most destructive wildfire in California history — burned more than 153,00 acres in Butte County, where Chico is located.
“Potential residents should be assured that officials take the risk seriously,” Retirement Living said. “Following the 2018 fires, the county began a multiorganization collaboration to update its hazard mitigation plan.”
Where are the best cities to retire in California?
According to Retirement Living, here are the 10 best cities to retire in California:
- Chico
- Daly City
- Clovis
- Vacaville
- Thousand Oaks
- Huntington Beach
- Roseville
- Visalia
- Santa Rosa
- Ventura
Where are the worst cities to retire in California?
“Some of the most populous cities in California, including Los Angeles, Oakland and San Jose, ranked near the bottom of our list, due to their low safety and affordability scores,” Retirement Living said.
According to the retirement site, these are the worst cities for retirement:
- Inglewood
- Oakland
- San Bernardino
- Victorville
- Los Angeles
- Palmdale
- Lancaster
- Hesperia
- Glendale
- Moreno Valley
Although some cities performed better than others, “every city in our rankings has a higher climate risk score than the statewide score,” Retirement Living said.
How did Retirement Living come up with its rankings?
Retirement Living ranked the best California cities for retirees by analyzing cities with populations of at least 100,000 people.
Cities were scored based on affordability, safety, livability and healthcare access.
Retirement Living used the most recent data available from government data and industry experts, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow and Redfin.
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Where are the best cities to retire in California? New study lists top 10 spots."
