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Key Takeaways
- Topping the list is Roseville, a community in the Sacramento area that boasts a low cost of living and a variety of recreational activities.
- Oceanside presents retirees searching for salty air and picturesque sunsets with a beachy SoCal enclave.
- Situated in Los Angeles county, the city of Torrance offers a coastal lifestyle and six libraries.
- About 35 miles from Sacramento and 55 miles from San Francisco, Vacaville is filled with quiet neighborhoods, scenic outlooks, and a relatively affordable cost of living.
- The Bay Area city of Richmond comes with access to San Francisco’s amenities without the astronomical housing costs associated with the region.
The Golden State offers a wealth of places to retire, some more affordable than others. These five options are top of the list for retirees, according to Retirement Living, and offer the ideal combination of affordable living costs, proximity to premier healthcare systems, and access to larger metropolitan areas. In these locales, you’ll find a range of opportunities to enjoy the arts and natural landscapes. What’s more, California doesn’t tax Social Security income, so your dollars will go further here.
1. Roseville
Nearly one-fifth of residents living in Roseville are 65 and older, so retirees won’t feel isolated in this Sacramento suburb. Many of the area’s retirees enjoy life in Sun City Roseville, a popular senior living community with about 3,110 homes for people ages 55+. This community offers a year-round calendar of activities for those who are looking to make the most of their retirement years.
In Roseville, the median rent is $2,158 and the median sale price of a home is $635,000.
2. Oceanside
Less than 40 miles from San Diego and 50 miles from Orange County, the beachy haven of Oceanside provides retirees with picturesque sunsets.
Similar to Roseville, approximately 20% of Oceanside’s population falls within the 65+ age bracket. There are plenty of fellow retirees in the area.
The median rent is $2,293 and the median sale price of a home is $850,500.
3. Torrance
Another Southern California gem is Torrance, California. This waterfront Los Angeles suburb offers a spectacular coastline and an assortment of amenities.
Retirees won’t long for peers in this popular retirement location, as nearly 22% of residents are age 65 or older.
However, the cost to own a home in Torrance is the highest on this list. The median rent is $2,049 and the median sale price of a home is $1,305,000.
| Median Rent | Median Home Sale Price | Nearest Metropolitan Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roseville | $2,158 | $635,000 | Sacramento |
| Oceanside | $2,293 | $850,500 | San Diego, Los Angeles |
| Torrance | $2,049 | $1,305,000 | Los Angeles |
| Vacaville | $2,155 | $637,500 | Sacramento |
| Richmond | $1,814 | $569,500 | San Francisco Bay Area |
| California (statewide) | $2,104 | $866,100 | N/A |
4. Vacaville
Vacaville, about 30 miles from Sacramento, is known for its slower pace of life and its natural beauty. Lagoon Valley Park offer over 300 acres of outdoor landscapes to be explored next to the 100-acre Lagoon Lake.
Fast Fact
Vacaville is less than 20 minutes away from a colorful Jelly Belly Factory, where jellybeans are made. There are free tours and even a museum.
In Vacaville, the median rent is $2,155 and the median sale price of a home is $637,500.
5. Richmond
Finally, Richmond, with its relatively low cost of living, is an anomaly amidst San Francisco’s ZIP codes.
For recreation, Rosie the Riveter Memorial Park and the Richmond Museum of History and Culture provide visitors with a blend of local and national history.
Richmond also has the lowest cost of living on this list. The median rent is $1,814 and the average sale price of a home is $569,500.
