A new study is seeking to shed some light on which cities rank best for Californians planning to live out their golden years in the Golden State.
The analysis by Retirement Living compared Californian cities with populations over 100,000 “and focused on factors that matter most to retirees,” the authors wrote.
Criteria included the percentage of the population over 65 years old; the median home price; the median monthly rate; the poverty rate and the local sales tax, each weighted to reflect its “influence on retirement decision-making,” according to Retirement Living.
The Roseville Civic Center in Roseville, California, pictured in an undated photo.
California has long been a dream destination for those transitioning out of careers and into retirement, and it’s not just because of the weather.
Additional perks enjoyed by seniors across the state include no state taxes on Social Security benefits. according to Retirement Living.
“The health care system is generally pretty solid,” the report said. “Plus, if you qualify for their property tax relief programs, you might find your dollars stretching farther than expected on a fixed income.”
Which California cities are the best to retire in?
1. Roseville in Placer County topped the ranking and was declared by the study to be “the best city to retire in California.”
“You’re not breaking the bank on housing, the poverty rate is reassuringly low, and there’s already a good community of retirees who’ve settled there,” Retirement Living concluded.
“Sitting just outside Sacramento, Roseville feels like you get the best of both worlds: that suburban calm without being completely cut off from the city,” the report stated.
By the numbers:
Share of population 65+: 18.9%
Median home sale price: $635,000
Median rent price: $2,158
2. Oceanside in San Diego County claimed the second highest spot in the ranking.
“If waking up to ocean views is non-negotiable, Oceanside probably keeps popping up in your research,” according to the analysis.
“The 8.3% poverty rate isn’t terrible, suggesting the local economy is holding up reasonably well, but those housing costs are something you really need to think through if you’re planning to live on retirement savings,” the report added.
By the numbers:
Share of population 65+: 20%
Median home sale price: $850,500
Median rent price: $2,293
3. Torrance in Los Angeles County came in third place and was labeled by Retirement Living as “the most retiree-friendly in city in California,” with a high proportion of the population over 65 years old, coupled with a solid economic position.
“Tucked into the South Bay area, Torrance gives you that ‘close to LA but not actually in the chaos’ feel,” according to the study. “You can get to the coast easily, but you’re not dealing with tourists wandering through your neighborhood every day.”
But a median home price of $1.3 million was the highest of any of the top 10 cities named in the analysis.
By the numbers:
Share of population 65+: 21.6%
Median home sale price: $1,305,000
Median rent price: $2,049
Top 20 best California cities for retirement
City | Rank | Percentage of the Population over 65 | Median Home Sale Price | Median Rent Price | Poverty Rate | Sales Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 18.9% | $635,000 | $2158 | 5.6% | 7.8% | |
2 | 20.0% | $850,500 | $2293 | 8.3% | 8.3% | |
3 | 21.6% | $1,305,000 | $2049 | 7.3% | 10.3% | |
4 | 17.8% | $637,500 | $2155 | 9.1% | 8.1% | |
5 | 18.0% | $569,500 | $1814 | 10.8% | 9.8% | |
6 | 16.2% | $457,500 | $1645 | 12.0% | 8.9% | |
7 | 20.6% | $745,000 | $2072 | 11.4% | 10.0% | |
8 | 20.6% | $1,107,500 | $2743 | 6.4% | 7.2% | |
9 | 18.2% | $855,000 | $2406 | 7.7% | 7.2% | |
10 | 18.3% | $537,500 | $1981 | 12.3% | 9.3% | |
11 | 18.9% | $894,500 | $2181 | 12.2% | 7.8% | |
12 | 20.4% | $1,325,000 | $2509 | 7.6% | 7.8% | |
13 | 17.0% | $672,000 | $1686 | 11.4% | 10.3% | |
14 | 17.6% | $985,000 | $1971 | 10.4% | 8.8% | |
15 | 17.8% | $770,000 | $2194 | 8.6% | 9.8% | |
16 | 11.9% | $415,000 | $1534 | 10.0% | 8.5% | |
17 | 15.1% | $669,000 | $2243 | 6.8% | 8.8% | |
18 | 12.5% | $480,000 | $1839 | 7.6% | 9.0% | |
19 | 20.5% | $1,187,500 | $2084 | 12.9% | 10.5% | |
20 | 14.4% | $510,000 | $1779 | 13.7% | 8.8% |
At the bottom of the ranking, the 10 least ideal cities for retirees were: Costa Mesa; Fremont; Berkeley; San Mateo; Palmdale; Santa Maria; Salinas; Irvine; Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, the report found.
Information in the study was sourced from the 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Redfin and Avalara.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What are the best California cities to retire in?