Modesto ranked among best cities to retire in California. What makes it great?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Modesto ranks sixth-best for retirement in California due to housing affordability.
- Median home price in Modesto is $457,500, which is below the statewide average.
- Modesto's lower senior population and higher poverty rate pose trade-off concerns.
From coastal breezes to scenic mountain views, there are many reasons people spend their retirement in California.
The Golden State appeals to retirees in part because it does not tax Social Security benefits and offers a solid health care system, according to the retirement planning site Retirement Living.
If you qualify for property tax relief programs, the site said, your money might go further than you’d expect — especially if you’re living on a fixed income.
“California’s been drawing retirees in for decades, and it’s not hard to see why,” Retirement Living said. “Whether you’re dreaming of morning walks along the coast or prefer the peace of a smaller inland community, this state really does have something for everyone.”
The retirement planning site ranked Modesto among the top 10 cities to settle down in California.
Here’s what makes it a great spot to spend your golden years:
Why is Modesto one of the best cities to retire in California?
According to Retirement Living, Modesto is the sixth-best city to retire in California.
“Modesto wins on the affordability front,” the retirement planning site said. “If keeping housing costs low is your top priority, this is where you want to look.”
The Central Valley city was highlighted for its “agricultural history and blends small-town friendliness with practical living.”
If saving money is your top priority, Retirement Living said, Modesto is hard to beat.
With the lowest prices on the “Best Cities to Retire in California” list, the median home price in Modesto is about $457,500, and rent averages $1,645 a month.
As of Thursday, July 31, the average rent across all property types in California was $2,800 a month and the average California home value was about $786,100, according to real estate website Zillow.
“For retirees who need their savings to stretch, few places in California give you this much financial breathing room,” Retirement Living said. “The trade-off? You won’t find as many other seniors there as it has the lowest share of seniors on our list.”
About 16% of Modesto’s population is 65 or older, and the city’s poverty rate sits at 12%.
“(This) suggests that the area is facing some economic challenges that could impact everything from public services to long-term stability,” Retirement Living said. “But if your priority is making your retirement dollars go as far as possible, Modesto deserves serious consideration.”
Where are the top 10 spots for retirees in California?
When looking for the best cities to retire in California, Retirement Living “focused on factors that matter most to retirees,” including home prices and median monthly rent.
According to Retirement Living, these were the 10 best cities to retire in California in 2025:
1. Roseville
- Share of population over 65: 18.9%
- Median home sale price: $635,000
- Median rent price: $2,158
- Poverty rate: 5.6%
- Sales tax: 7.75%
2. Oceanside
- Share of population over 65: 20%
- Median home sale price: $850,500
- Median rent price: $2,293
- Poverty rate: 8.3%
- Sales tax: 8.25%
3. Torrance
- Share of population over 65: 21.6%
- Median home sale price: $1,305,000
- Median rent price: $2,049
- Poverty rate: 7.3%
- Sales tax: 10.25%
4. Vacaville
- Share of population over 65: 17.8%
- Median home sale price: $637,500
- Median rent price: $2,155
- Poverty rate: 9.1%
- Sales tax: 8.13%
5. Richmond
- Share of population over 65: 18%
- Median home sale price: $569,500
- Median rent price: $1,814
- Poverty rate: 10.8%
- Sales tax: 9.75%
6. Modesto
- Share of population over 65: 16.2%
- Median home sale price: $457,500
- Median rent price: $1,645
- Poverty rate: 12%
- Sales tax: 8.88%
7. Santa Rosa
- Share of population over 65: 20.6%
- Median home sale price: $745,000
- Median rent price: $2,072
- Poverty rate: 11.4%
- Sales tax: 10%
8. Thousand Oaks
- Share of population over 65: 20.6%
- Median home sale price: $1,107,500
- Median rent price: $2,743
- Poverty rate: 6.4%
- Sales tax: 7.25%
9. Simi Valley
- Share of population over 65: 18.2%
- Median home sale price: $855,000
- Median rent price: $2,406
- Poverty rate: 7.7%
- Sales tax: 7.25%
10. Vallejo
- Share of population over 65: 18.3%
- Median home sale price: $537,500
- Median rent price: $1,981
- Poverty rate: 12.3%
- Sales tax: 9.26%
How did Retirement Living come up with its findings?
To find the best cities in California to retire, Retirement Living looked at places with more than 100,000 people and focused on median home prices, median monthly rent, poverty rate, sales tax rate and the percentage of people age 65 and up.
Each factor was given a different level of importance based on how much it can impact retirement life.
Percentages were collected from the most recent data from the American Community Survey and real estate company Redfin.
