Top 10 Cheapest Places to Live in California

California is a state located in the Western US. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east, and Arizona to the south.

California is known for its numerous landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland. There are also lesser-known areas such as the Wine Country and the Silicon Valley.

Aside from the beaches, California’s landscape is also very diverse. There are numerous lakes, mountains, and deserts in the state.

If you are thinking of moving there, below is the list of the 10 cheapest places to move to California.

Ridgecrest

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 28,755
  • Cost of Living: 109/100

Average Home Price

RidgecrestCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$181k$505k$218k
Average Rent$879$1,5031,062
Average Income$69,577$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

RidgecrestCaliforniaUSA
Overall109140100
Groceries110118100
Health107113100
Housing90196100
Transportation123128100
Utilities146118100

Ridgecrest is a city located in California’s Kern County. It is located near the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake.

Ridgecrest is a town located in the Indian Wells Valley, near Death Valley National Park. This community is known for its beautiful weather and great beaches.

Ridgecrest’s cost of living is lower than the national average. It is mainly due to its lower real estate market value and average salary.

Coalinga

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 16,906
  • Cost of Living: 107/100

Average Home Price

CoalingaCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$171k$505k$218k
Average Rent$880$1,5031,062
Average Income$62,522$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

CoalingaCaliforniaUSA
Overall107140100
Groceries110118100
Health107113100
Housing84196100
Transportation123128100
Utilities146118100

Coalinga is a city located in California’s central valley. It has a few industries, such as oil and agriculture, and it shelters both the state prison and the Coalinga State Hospital.

Compared to California, Coalinga’s cost of living index is lower than the state’s average. The same goes for the standard of living in other places in California.

Coalinga is a great place to raise a family. It has two stoplights and is only 1hr+ away from other towns.

Taft

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 9,372
  • Cost of Living: 106/100

Average Home Price

TaftCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$147k$505k$218k
Average Rent$697$1,5031,062
Average Income$45,197$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

TaftCaliforniaUSA
Overall106140100
Groceries110118100
Health107113100
Housing80196100
Transportation123128100
Utilities146118100

Taft is a city in California’s Kern County. It is located in the foothills of the San Joaquin Valley.

Taft is a town located in California’s petroleum and natural gas-producing region. This area is one of the few places in the US where you can still find oil and gas reserves.

It is not a great place to live, but it is cheap. If you want to relocate to California with low budget, you can consider Taft as one of the potential destinations.

Holtville

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 6,527
  • Cost of Living: 97/100

Average Home Price

HoltvilleCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$187k$505k$218k
Average Rent$600$1,5031,062
Average Income$46,161$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

HoltvilleCaliforniaUSA
Overall97140100
Groceries100118100
Health115113100
Housing80196100
Transportation109128100
Utilities117118100

Located in Imperial County, Holtville is a one-square-mile town with a population of approximately 6,000. It is known as the Carrot Capital of The World.

Holtville has a crime rate of 13 per thousand residents, making it one of the most crime-free cities in the US.

The city has a lot to offer, including a variety of festivals and events. There are also great restaurants in the area, making Holtville a great place to eat.

Blythe

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 19,643
  • Cost of Living: 92/100

Average Home Price

BlytheCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$150k$505k$218k
Average Rent$769$1,5031,062
Average Income$45,385$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

BlytheCaliforniaUSA
Overall92140100
Groceries95118100
Health100113100
Housing70196100
Transportation108128100
Utilities98118100

Blythe is a city in California’s Riverside County. Its name was taken from the Colorado River’s primary water rights.

It is a small town with a great community. It has a river and a lot of parks, and everyone in the neighborhood pretty much knows each other.

Williams

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 5,228
  • Cost of Living: 107/100

Average Home Price

WilliamsCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$230k$505k$218k
Average Rent$925$1,5031,062
Average Income$65,580$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

WilliamsCaliforniaUSA
Overall107140100
Groceries121118100
Health117113100
Housing94196100
Transportation136128100
Utilities102118100

Williams is a city in California’s Colusa County, and it was named after the Central Station. The 2010 census showed its population growing to over 5,000.

This town has grown significantly over the years due to its agricultural importance. It is also home to a town government that has a unified school system.

Williams has the third most affordable standard of living in California. Its cost of living index is less than California’s.

Williams is a great place to live because of its small-town atmosphere and its residents are very friendly. It’s also a great place to go to school.

Hanford

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 56,475
  • Cost of Living: 111/100

Average Home Price

HanfordCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$222k$505k$218k
Average Rent$992$1,5031,062
Average Income$62,413$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

HanfordCaliforniaUSA
Overall111140100
Groceries110118100
Health107113100
Housing96196100
Transportation123128100
Utilities146118100

Hanford is a city located in California’s Kings County. It is mainly populated by various residential and commercial areas.

The town is very safe and has a great welcoming atmosphere.

Lemoore

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 26,107
  • Cost of Living: 112/100

Average Home Price

LemooreCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$230k$505k$218k
Average Rent$999$1,5031,062
Average Income$63,605$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

LemooreCaliforniaUSA
Overall112140100
Groceries110118100
Health107113100
Housing99196100
Transportation123128100
Utilities146118100

Lemoore is a city in California’s Kings County, United States. It is named after La Tache and Lee Moore’s.

It is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the Lemoore Naval Air Station is the US Navy’s largest multi-jet base.

Lemoore is a nice place to live. There are a lot of people that live in the community and it’s peaceful. The base is also great.

Dos Palos

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 5,351
  • Cost of Living: 90/100

Average Home Price

Dos PalosCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$195k$505k$218k
Average Rent$969$1,5031,062
Average Income$56,716$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

Dos PalosCaliforniaUSA
Overall90140100
Groceries105118100
Health111113100
Housing63196100
Transportation111128100
Utilities129118100

Dos Palos is a city in California’s Merced County. It has a population of 4,950 at the 2010 census.

The name Dos Palos was taken from a custom that dates back to the early days of California missions. There, two enormous poplar trees were used as boundary lines.

The town’s population is predominantly younger than most California cities. Dos Palos has a median age of just over 32, making it one of the youngest places in the state.

Live Oak

  • Location | Map
  • Population: 8,679
  • Cost of Living: 171/100

Average Home Price

Live OakCaliforniaUSA
Average Home Value$719k$505k$218k
Average Rent$1,921$1,5031,062
Average Income$83,750$75,235$62,843

Living Expense (National Average = 100)

Live OakCaliforniaUSA
Overall171140100
Groceries126118100
Health127113100
Housing269196100
Transportation137128100
Utilities121118100

Quercus agrifolia is a type of live oak that is native to California. It is a highly variable tree that can be commonly found in the coastal regions of California.

Live Oak is a great place to raise a family in California’s Napa Valley. Its diverse community makes it a great place to raise a family. Crime rates are also low.