Compare cities in California
Compare 23 metro profiles in California, with housing cost, climate, work, safety, daily-life, and source-labeled data.
California metros to compare
- #1
Sacramento, CA
Cost/climate 60, Work 81, Daily life 64, Community 72. ACS rent $1,633/mo; safety 65/100.
- #2
San Diego, CA
Cost/climate 49, Work 82, Daily life 65, Community 71. ACS rent $2,011/mo; safety 61/100.
- #3
Santa Maria, CA
Cost/climate 44, Work 77, Daily life 62, Community 64. ACS rent $1,964/mo; safety 43/100.
- #4
Los Angeles, CA
Cost/climate 43, Work 78, Daily life 71, Community 54. ACS rent $1,892/mo; safety 36/100.
- #5
San Luis Obispo, CA
Cost/climate 47, Work 77, Daily life 62, Community 59. ACS rent $1,800/mo; safety 43/100.
- #6
San Francisco, CA
Cost/climate 35, Work 75, Daily life 63, Community 70. ACS rent $2,336/mo; safety 42/100.
- #7
Santa Cruz, CA
Cost/climate 44, Work 71, Daily life 60, Community 68. ACS rent $2,094/mo; safety 43/100.
- #8
San Jose, CA
Cost/climate 36, Work 80, Daily life 57, Community 69. ACS rent $2,697/mo; safety 39/100.
- #9
Redding, CA
Cost/climate 62, Work 78, Daily life 54, Community 41. ACS rent $1,232/mo; safety 43/100.
- #10
Chico, CA
Cost/climate 58, Work 77, Daily life 46, Community 53. ACS rent $1,280/mo; safety 43/100.
- #11
Fresno, CA
Cost/climate 57, Work 75, Daily life 50, Community 50. ACS rent $1,207/mo; safety 39/100.
- #12
Stockton, CA
Cost/climate 49, Work 64, Daily life 45, Community 72. ACS rent $1,542/mo; safety 81/100.
- #13
Modesto, CA
Cost/climate 61, Work 68, Daily life 48, Community 50. ACS rent $1,433/mo; safety 43/100.
- #14
Oxnard, CA
Cost/climate 42, Work 72, Daily life 52, Community 59. ACS rent $2,140/mo; safety 39/100.
- #15
Yuba City, CA
Cost/climate 59, Work 69, Daily life 43, Community 54. ACS rent $1,218/mo; safety 43/100.
- #16
Santa Rosa, CA
Cost/climate 35, Work 72, Daily life 49, Community 68. ACS rent $2,029/mo; safety 43/100.
- #17
Riverside, CA
Cost/climate 48, Work 75, Daily life 51, Community 49. ACS rent $1,643/mo; safety 55/100.
- #18
Visalia, CA
Cost/climate 64, Work 74, Daily life 43, Community 40. ACS rent $1,137/mo; safety 43/100.
- #19
Merced, CA
Cost/climate 65, Work 68, Daily life 41, Community 43. ACS rent $1,200/mo; safety 43/100.
- #20
Bakersfield, CA
Cost/climate 64, Work 74, Daily life 37, Community 40. ACS rent $1,161/mo; safety 39/100.
- #21
Salinas, CA
Cost/climate 43, Work 73, Daily life 49, Community 49. ACS rent $1,873/mo; safety 43/100.
- #22
Vallejo, CA
Cost/climate 47, Work 65, Daily life 40, Community 56. ACS rent $1,981/mo; safety 43/100.
- #23
El Centro, CA
Cost/climate 58, Work 75, Daily life 41, Community 33. ACS rent $961/mo; safety 43/100.
In-state comparisons
Retiring in California: state tax treatment
| Social Security | Not taxed | Social Security benefits are exempt from California income tax. |
|---|---|---|
| Pension / 401(k) / IRA | Generally taxable | Pensions, 401(k), and IRA distributions are fully taxable at ordinary rates (top marginal rate 13.3%). |
| Senior property-tax relief | Available | Prop 19 base-year value transfer for homeowners 55+ moving within California; Property Tax Postponement program for income-qualified seniors. |
| Estate tax | No | |
| Inheritance tax | No |
Research, not tax advice. This is an unverified snapshot retrieved 2026-07-13 from public sources — thresholds, phase-outs, and rules change every year. Verify with the California revenue department and a tax professional before acting on it.
Use the Retirement Edition quiz to reweight California metros around healthcare access, retirement taxes, cost, and climate comfort.
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