Best Places to Live in Northern California: From an excellent education system and a robust job market to stunning natural landscapes, Northern California boasts a variety of attractive offerings that make it a great place for students, families, and retirees alike.
NorCal is home to many charming towns and vibrant cities that offer something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy outdoor recreation opportunities, wish to explore a booming job market scene, or want to live in a tranquil small town, NorCal won’t disappoint.
Be it architecture, art, a vibrant dining and nightlife scene, or tourist attractions, NorCal has it all.
Wondering which would be the perfect place to call home?
Consider our carefully curated list of the Best Places to Live in Northern California for your big move: –
Palo Alto #1
A suburb of San Francisco, Palo Alto offers easy access to the robust job market scene of Silicon Valley.
Home to Stanford University, it draws many students to take up residence here. The city has a thriving downtown area which is chock full of restaurants, shops, and charming cafes.
There are also plenty of nightclubs around. Couple that with numerous excellent schools and beautiful parks.
The only downside is that housing is expensive here with the median house price being around $3.3M. If you prefer to rent, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $3,447. The average household income is $232,529.
Folsom #2
Whether you’re a nature lover or an adventure junkie, Folsom won’t disappoint. Nestled on the shores of Folsom Lake, the city is home to plenty of hiking trails, beautiful parks, and ample green spaces.
From boating and snorkelling to biking, there are many outdoor recreational activities available. It also features the Folsom Historic District where you’ll find many restaurants and bars.
What’s more?
It’s only a short drive from Sacramento and has a low crime rate.
Couple that with numerous good schools and a family-friendly vibe. The median home price here is around $759K and you can find rental options at around $1,928 for one-bedroom apartments. The median household income is $132,609.
Clovis #3
Looking for a place to raise a family?
Clovis might tick all the boxes on your checklist.
The city is known for its excellent schools and strong community vibe. Its proximity to Yosemite National Park, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the coast offers endless outdoor recreational activities.
It also hosts various events such as an annual rodeo and a weekly farmers’ market.
What’s more?
The city is relatively affordable with the average rent being $1,425 and the median home price being $520K. In Clovis, the average household income is around $96,614.
Sacramento #4
Sacramento is one of the most popular places to live in Northern California. The capital city is home to exemplary schools and has a low unemployment rate.
Industries such as technology, healthcare, and government add to its promising job market scene. If you’re an adventure enthusiast, the city has a 32-mile bike trail.
There are also many coffee shops, restaurants, and breweries here.
The city is close to numerous attractions in the region such as Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. You’ll also find relatively affordable housing options here with the average median home price being around $490K.
The average rent price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,550 and the median household income is around $83,189.
Napa #5
Nestled in the stunning Napa Valley, Napa offers access to some of the world’s best vineyards that draw millions of visitors every year.
Whether you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife scene, gourmet restaurants, or a rich cultural scene, you’ll find it here. It’s a short drive away from San Francisco.
With so much to offer, the city has a competitive housing market.
The median home price here is around $813K while the average rent is around $2,195. The average household income is around $108,255 which is higher than the state average.
Pleasanton #6
Located in San Francisco’s east region, Pleasanton offers access to around 1,200 acres of parks, trails, and green spaces.
The city also has a lively downtown area that features many shops, historically preserved buildings, and restaurants. Many lively events are also held regularly including street fairs and concerts in the park.
If you’re a wine lover, be sure to check out the beautiful vineyards here. Couple that with numerous good schools. The only con is that housing is expensive here.
The median home price is around $1.6M and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,358.
On the brighter side, the average household income in the city is around $192,532.
San Jose #7
Considered the “Capital of Silicon Valley”, San Jose is home to several tech companies that draw many young professionals to take up residence here.
The high living costs of the city are somewhat manageable with such well-paying jobs.
You’ll find many parks, museums, and restaurants here. It also has a bustling downtown area and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Looking for some outdoor recreation?
The city offers access to numerous trails and is only a short drive from the coast.
The average home price here is around $1.3M and you can find rental options at around $2,599. The average household income stands at around $142,635.
Davis #8
One of the fastest-growing cities in the state, Davis boasts low crime and unemployment rates and is home to many highly-rated schools and the University of California.
It offers the perfect combination of big-city amenities with a small-town vibe.
From restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries to parks and open spaces, the city has it all.
Its proximity to Sacramento also allows easy access to many attractive job opportunities as well as its vibrant dining, music, and art scenes.
The average household income here is around $106,058 which is higher than the state average. The median home price is $899K and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,915.
San Francisco #9
If you can afford the skyrocketing living costs of San Francisco, the city is a great place to call home. Nestled on the country’s west coast, San Francisco is also called the “City by the Bay”.
Its scenic location and hilly terrain offer plenty of activities for outdoor recreation.
What’s more?
The city’s attractive job market as the economic hub of the region makes it a great choice for young professionals. It is home to many start-ups and companies.
Couple that with a vibrant cultural and entertainment scene.
Some of its many notable cultural attractions include Little Italy, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Union Square.
The city’s lively arts, dining, shopping, and nightlife scenes make it one of the most popular places to live in Northern California.
However, buying a house in Golden Gate City means splurging around $1.4M. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $3,000 and the average household income is around $160,396.
Menlo Park #10
Close to Napa, Menlo Park is a tranquil suburb that comes with plenty of attractive offerings. It has a strong community vibe and is home to many highly-rated schools.
There are also many parks, trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, and ample green spaces that offer plenty of outdoor recreational activities.
You may not find a vibrant nightlife scene in the city but San Francisco and San Jose are only half an hour’s drive away.
The median home price here is around $2.7M and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,600. The average household income is a whopping $241,222.
So, pick the one that caters to your requirements and get ready to call NorCal home.
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FAQs:-
Q. Where is the best place to live in Northern California?
With its ample green spaces, low crime rate, excellent schools, and family-friendly vibe, Folsom is considered by many to be the best place to live in Northern California.
Q. Is Northern California a good place to live?
Northern California offers access to scenic beaches, mountains, plenty of outdoor recreation activities, a vibrant entertainment scene, and a robust job market. With so much to offer, it’s a great place to live.
Q. What is the safest part of Northern California?
Danville has the lowest violent crime and property crime rates in Northern California.