These are 10 best cities to retire in CA, study says. Which ones made the list?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Retirement Living ranked these cities as the best for retirees in 2025 study.
- Main metrics included poverty rate, sales tax, home price and rent levels.
- Cities earned praise for affordability, low poverty and retiree population.
From coastal breezes to scenic mountain views, retirees have long been drawn to settle down in California.
The Golden State appeals to retirees because it does not tax Social Security benefits and offers a solid health care system, according to the retirement planning site Retirement Living.
Additionally, if you qualify for property tax relief programs, the site said, your money might go further than you’d expect — especially if you’re living on a fixed income.
“California’s been drawing retirees in for decades, and it’s not hard to see why,” Retirement Living said. “Whether you’re dreaming of morning walks along the coast or prefer the peace of a smaller inland community, this state really does have something for everyone.”
Here’s the top 10 best cities to retire in California — and what makes them a good place to spend your retirement:
What’s the best city to retire in California?
According to Retirement Living, the Sacramento-area city of Roseville is the best city to retire.
“You’re not breaking the bank on housing, the poverty rate is reassuringly low, and there’s already a good community of retirees who’ve settled there,” the site said.
Nearly one in five people living in the Placer County city are 65 or older, so “you won’t be the only retiree trying to find senior activities or wondering where everyone your age hangs out.”
The average home price is about $635,000, which is higher than more affordable places to buy a home, but still below the statewide median of $786,107, as of Wedesday, July 30.
Renting, however, can get expensive, with the average rent around $2,158.
Retirment Living also noted Roseville’s low poverty rate.
“Roseville stands out for its low poverty rate of 5.6%,” the site said. “That’s incredibly low compared to the state average of 11.3%, and suggests people aren’t struggling to make ends meet.”
Additionally, the sales tax is 7.75%, so everyday costs are “a lot more predictable than what you’d face in many California cities.”
Where are the best spots to retire in California?
When looking for the best cities to retire in California, Retirement Living “focused on factors that matter most to retirees,” including home prices and median monthly rent.
According to Retirement Living, here are the 10 best cities to retire in California:
1. Roseville
- Share of population over 65: 18.9%
- Median home sale price: $635,000
- Median rent price: $2,158
- Poverty rate: 5.6%
- Sales tax: 7.75%
2. Oceanside
- Share of population over 65: 20%
- Median home sale price: $850,500
- Median rent price: $2,293
- Poverty rate: 8.3%
- Sales tax: 8.25%
3. Torrance
- Share of population over 65: 21.6%
- Median home sale price: $1,305,000
- Median rent price: $2,049
- Poverty rate: 7.3%
- Sales tax: 10.25%
4. Vacaville
- Share of population over 65: 17.8%
- Median home sale price: $637,500
- Median rent price: $2,155
- Poverty rate: 9.1%
- Sales tax: 8.13%
5. Richmond
- Share of population over 65: 18%
- Median home sale price: $569,500
- Median rent price: $1,814
- Poverty rate: 10.8%
- Sales tax: 9.75%
6. Modesto
- Share of population over 65: 16.2%
- Median home sale price: $457,500
- Median rent price: $1,645
- Poverty rate: 12%
- Sales tax: 8.88%
7. Santa Rosa
- Share of population over 65: 20.6%
- Median home sale price: $745,000
- Median rent price: $2,072
- Poverty rate: 11.4%
- Sales tax: 10%
8. Thousand Oaks
- Share of population over 65: 20.6%
- Median home sale price: $1,107,500
- Median rent price: $2,743
- Poverty rate: 6.4%
- Sales tax: 7.25%
9. Simi Valley
- Share of population over 65: 18.2%
- Median home sale price: $855,000
- Median rent price: $2,406
- Poverty rate: 7.7%
- Sales tax: 7.25%
10. Vallejo
- Share of population over 65: 18.3%
- Median home sale price: $537,500
- Median rent price: $1,981
- Poverty rate: 12.3%
- Sales tax: 9.26%
How did Retirement Living come up with its findings?
To find the best cities in California to retire, Retirement Living looked at places with more than 100,000 people and focused on median home prices, median monthly rent, poverty rate, sales tax rate and the percentage of people age 65 and up.
Each factor was given a different level of importance based on how much it can impact retirement life.
Percentages were collected from the most recent data from the American Community Survey and Redfin.
This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "These are 10 best cities to retire in CA, study says. Which ones made the list?."
