The Best Cities to Retire in California 2024

California is a land of sunny days, seaside paradises, and vibrant cultures. It’s the perfect retirement getaway for anyone looking to live somewhere comfortable and full of life. 

It’s no wonder the state has the highest population of people aged 65 years and older in the nation! But California is a massive state with hundreds of cities, each with its own pros and cons for prospective retirees. 

So whether you’re ready to make your California dreamin’ a reality or are simply interested in learning more about whether it’s the right place for you to call home, join California Mobility as we guide you through some of the best communities in the state for retirement.

Key Takeaways

• The best California cities to retire in include San Marcos, Anaheim, Orange, Simi Valley, and Carlsbad. 
• Some of the most affordable cities in California, according to our research, include Citrus Heights, Fontana, Redding, and Rialto. Each of these cities has a sales tax rate at or below 7.75% and an average monthly rent below $2,000. 
• Our research suggests that the best cities in California for safe driving include San Ramon, San Mateo, Antioch, San Leandro, and San Marcos. 
• As far as healthcare goes, cities such as Anaheim, Glendale, Westminster, Norwalk, San Marcos, and Lancaster take the cake with access to the most high-rated facilities that accept Medicare. 

The 15 Best Cities to Retire in California: Overall Winners

1. San Marcos

The city of San Marcos tops our list thanks to its fair housing costs, mild temperatures, and proximity to over a dozen high-quality health facilities that accept Medicare. San Marcos brags an incredible public transportation network, beautiful outdoor scenery, and access to recreational activities such as libraries, parks, and golf courses. 

2. Orange

From the Old Towne historic district to shiny new homes, Orange has a few tricks up its sleeve that make it a top choice for retirement. Healthcare facilities here are not only numerous, but conveniently located near major hotspots throughout the city. With libraries, parks, and bustling restaurants, you’ll never have to look far for something to do!

3. Simi Valley

If you’re a fan of golfing, hiking, or walking, you won’t want to miss the chance to experience the gorgeous Simi Hills and Valley. Numerous trails, golf spots, and outdoor recreation opportunities will surely keep you on your toes – literally! It is a little warmer in the Valley, but it’s also incredibly safe.

4. Carlsbad

Just a skip and hop away from some of California’s most beautiful beaches is Carlsbad. This probably isn’t the best city for cheap housing, but if you’re willing to take the splurge, you’ll be only minutes from the water and plenty of gorgeous outdoor spots.

5. Daly City

Get some of the benefits of large cities like San Francisco without the steep price tag in Daly City. There are plenty of healthcare options to choose from, too, especially given the renowned practices that can be found in the San Francisco Bay Area. Considering these perks, we’d argue the price tag isn’t too bad, either.

6. Thousand Oaks

As its name probably suggests, Thousand Oaks is the place to be if you’re a fan of natural scenery, greenery, and oak trees. You won’t have to sacrifice amenities and opportunities, either, as Thousand Oaks has no shortage of golf clubs and eateries. Not to mention it’s only an hour drive up to Santa Barbara!

7. Huntington Beach

Surf’s up in Huntington Beach no matter what your age is! This coastal city is famous for its surf culture, abundant beaches, and parks. The city’s warmer weather ensures that it’s always the right time to lay out by the water. 

8. Irvine

Irvine, a fast-growing master-planned city, is an excellent place for retirees looking for a quiet, safe place to settle down. With easy access to parks, grocery stores, and museums, residents of Irvine enjoy some of the best features a city has to offer. Housing may not be the cheapest, but this is perhaps a fair trade-off for a higher quality of life!

9. Oceanside

Oceanside is a nice breath of fresh air compared to some of its nearby cities; it has a cost of living that’s lower than many other coastal regions. As the name suggests, it is right beside the ocean, but it’s also home to plenty of renowned healthcare facilities.

10. Anaheim

While it may be home to the original Happiest Place on Earth, Anaheim has a lot more than Disneyland to offer its residents. Indeed, the city itself may just challenge Disneyland for the title. It’s the perfect spot for retirees looking for a manageable cost of living and summer weather all year long. 

11. San Diego

Love the beach but can’t stay away from big cities? Then San Diego might be the perfect place for you. Here you’ll find exceptional healthcare facilities, countless recreational facilities, and an unbeatable culinary scene. What more could one ask for?

12. Santa Ana

If you’re looking for a suburban feel in your retirement destination, Santa Ana is for you. With quaint neighborhoods, delicious food, and easy access to bustling cities like Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, you’ll never be bored. 

13. Temecula

Wine lovers rejoice! Temecula boasts several local wineries that perfectly complement its country clubs and golf courses. The region is safe, close to almost two dozen top health facilities, and has a surprisingly low monthly rent compared to similar cities.

14. Vista

Located just 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Vista is full of everything you need to retire peacefully and happily. This temperate city has no shortage of parks, and Downtown Vista will keep your life lively (and will keep you well-fed)!

15. Carson

Carson offers a largely suburban feel and it’s not right on the water – meaning its cost of living is lower. Temperatures can spike in this humble city, and its distance from the coast means it’s a little harder to cool off. However, there are still plenty of reasons to live in Carson, from its diverse collection of shops and restaurants to its comprehensive pool of Medicare-accepted facilities.

Most Affordable Cities in California

If you’re strictly interested in finances, look no further. This list of the most affordable cities in California comes from our sales tax and average monthly rent estimates, which both act as good reflections of the overall cost of living in the area. 

Our research suggests that the most affordable cities in California include the following:

1. Citrus Heights

• Sales Tax: 7.75%
• Average Monthly Rent: $1,759

2. Fontana

• Sales Tax: 7.75%
• Average Monthly Rent: $1,899

3. Redding

• Sales Tax: 7.25%
• Average Monthly Rent: $945

4. Rialto

• Sales Tax: 7.75%
• Average Monthly Rent: $1,913

The Safest Cities for Driving in California

The total number of accidents that resulted in injury and fatalities in each city reveal overall trends that may impact road safety. Our data suggest that some of the safest cities for driving in California include the following: 

1. San Ramon
2. San Mateo
3. Antioch
4. San Leandro
5. San Marcos

Let’s take a closer look at car accident rates between each city to get a better feel for how they all stack up.

California Cities With the Best Health Facilities

According to our findings, the California cities with the best healthcare facilities include those below:

1. Anaheim
2. Glendale
3. Westminster
4. Norwalk
5. San Marcos
6. Lancaster

To determine which cities were the best for healthcare, we looked at the total number of health facilities that accept Medicare and are rated at least 4.5 stars by community members. Below is a look at the data for each city:

Finding Healthcare Facilities Near You

If you’re looking for a highly-rated healthcare facility that accepts Medicare near you (or in the city you’re looking to settle in), here is a quick walkthrough of how to do so using Google Maps.  

1. Type “medical clinics [your city] ca” (or whatever facility or specialty you are searching for) in Google Search and press search. 
2. Click the drop-down arrow on the Medicare/Medicaid button and select “Medicare accepted”
   1. You can also select “Medicaid accepted” if that applies to you.

3. Click the drop-down arrow on the Rating button and select “4.5 and up”.
4. Voila! All the markers you see on the map are medical clinics that accept Medicare and are rated 4.5 stars or higher. 

Methodology

For this study, we analyzed 100 of California’s cities to determine affordability, most temperate weather, road safety, and access to quality health facilities that accept Medicare. 

To determine affordability we analyzed the sales tax and the average monthly rent in each city. Cities were placed into price brackets, and those with a lower cost of living ranked higher.  

To determine which cities had the most temperate weather, we analyzed the average summer and winter temperatures for each city. The ideal average summer temperature ranged from 74-83 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal winter temperature ranged from 40-49 degrees Fahrenheit. 

To understand road safety, we used the California Office of Road Safety’s crash calculation tool. The number we used was the combined number of accidents that resulted in injury and fatalities.  

To determine access to health care facilities, we sorted and counted facilities with a ranking of 4.5 or higher that also accepted Medicare. 

All of our information on Medicare-approved health facilities and providers comes from the provider and service lookup tool found on Medicare.gov.