Californias 10 cheapest places to live revealed in new report including a coastal outlier
Not everyone can live in Los Angeles or San Francisco — someone’s got to hold it down in Fresno.A recent report from real estate platform Houzeo breaks down the 10 most affordable places to live in the Golden State.Each city was given an overall affordability score out of ten, based on three main factors: median home value, median house rent and cost of living compared to the state average.The list was dominated by Central Valley cities, with the exception of one coastal city outlier.
The Central Valley city received an affordability score of 6.7, with its cost of living 11% lower than the state average.With a median home price of $479,880 and median rent of $1,955, Clovis has long been known as the “Gateway to the Sierras” for its proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon and Sierra National Forest.The state’s capital scored a 7.3 on Houzeo’s affordability scale.The cost of living in the city is 14% lower than the state’s average, and the median home price stands at $385,163.
The report highlighted the city for its government-focused job market and more than 230 parks.The downside? Heavy traffic congestion and high rates of property and vehicle theft in parts of South and North Sacramento.The “charming” Chico made a 7.4 on the affordability scale, but the cost of living was only 8% lower than the state’s average.
The median home price came in at $340,290 while the median house rent was $1,850.“The city’s friendly vibe and college-town energy with the presence of California State University makes it a great place for students and families alike,” the report reads.Stockton scored a 7.9 on the affordability scale with a median home price of $317,272 and median rent of $1,595.The cost of living in the city is an impressive 25% lower than the state average, but its crime rate stands at 82% higher than the national average.Visalia earned an affordability score of 8.2 on the list.The city’s median ...