Where are best cities to move in California? 3 Sacramento-area spots made the list
Looking to relocate? Three Sacramento-area cities are among the best cities to move to in California, according to Consumer Affairs.
The consumer review website recently ranked the 75 largest cities in the Golden State based on affordability, safety, job growth and other factors.
“California remains one of the most popular places to move to in 2025,” Consumer Affairs said in an April 7 article. “While the rising cost of living and climate risks can make finding the right city to call home a challenge, many people are still drawn to the state’s diverse landscapes, strong local economies and vibrant culture.”
Here’s which local cities made the list:
Why is Roseville the best California city to move to?
Roseville ranked No. 1 on Consumer Affairs’ list of the best California cities to move to, with an overall score of 83.21 out of 100.
The Placer County city “captures the quality of life you’d expect from a big city” despite having a population of 159,135 people, the site said.
“This, along with decent affordability and a relatively low climate risk, helps the city appeal to families, retirees and young professionals,” Consumer Affairs said in its study.
According to the study, Roseville had the second-strongest economy in California, with “strong job growth,” affordable utility rates and some of the lowest poverty rates in the state.
As of February, the city had an unemployment rate of 4.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Which other Sacramento-area cities made the list?
Two other Sacramento-area cities were among the top 25 cities to move to in California, according to Consumer Affairs.
Landing at No. 4 was Elk Grove, which snagged a spot in the top 10 due to its strong economy and low crime rates.
The Sacramento County city also “offers an abundance of attractions, festivals and recreation without breaking the bank,” Consumer Affairs said.
Sacramento ranked at No. 11, scoring relatively high in terms of affordability and economy.
California’s capital city ranked lower when it came to climate risk and safety, the study said.
Where should I move in California?
These California cities were the top 10 best places to move to in the state, according to Consumer Affairs:
Roseville
Visalia
Clovis
Elk Grove
Murrieta
Modesto
Corona
Temecula
Rancho Cucamonga
Moreno Valley
What are worst California cities for relocation?
These California cities ranked at the bottom of the list in terms of the best places to move in the Golden State, according to Consumer Affairs:
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- Lancaster
- El Monte
- Los Angeles
- Palmdale
- East Los Angeles
- Inglewood
- Richmond
- San Francisco
How did Consumer Affairs come up with rankings?
Consumer Affairs’ research team analyzed California’s 75 largest cities based on five key factors: affordability, safety, economic strength, quality of life and climate risk.
Each factor was given a point value ranging from 10 points at the lowest to 30 points at the highest.
In each category, the city that performed the best was given the highest possible score, with others getting relative scores, Consumer Affairs said.
Consumer Affairs used data from sources including the California Employment Development Department, U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Zillow.
