Best Cities to Retire in California
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California’s been drawing retirees in for decades, and it’s not hard to see why. 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 what makes California particularly appealing if you’re planning your retirement: you won’t get hit with taxes on your Social Security benefits, and the healthcare system is generally pretty solid. Plus, if you qualify for their property tax relief programs, you might find your dollars stretching further than expected on a fixed income.
Key Insights
Roseville is the best city to retire in California. 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.
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Torrance ranks as the most retiree-friendly city in California, with the highest percentage of residents aged 65+ and a strong economic foundation.
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Modesto wins on the affordability front; if keeping housing costs low is your top priority, this is where you want to look. The trade-off? You won’t find as many other seniors there as it has the lowest share of seniors on our list.
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We’ve narrowed it down to a list of 10 cities that really stand out when you look at the numbers – things like what it actually costs to live there, how many other retirees have already figured out it’s a good spot, poverty rates, housing costs, and even sales tax.
Best Places to Retire in California
Want ocean breezes, quiet suburban streets, or just a place where you can actually afford a decent house? California has a mix of cities that hit all these marks, though you’ll definitely want to crunch the numbers first. Here’s how the top 10 cities stack up:
1. Roseville, California
- Share of population 65+: 18.9%
- Median home sale price: $635,000
- Median rent price: $2,158
- Poverty rate: 5.6%
- Sales tax: 7.75%
Sitting just outside Sacramento, Roseville feels like you get the best of both worlds: that suburban calm without being completely cut off from the city.
About one in five residents here is 65 or older (18.9%), which means you won’t be the only retiree trying to find senior activities or wondering where everyone your age hangs out. The median home price is $635,000, which is not cheap by most standards, but relatively reasonable for California. Renting is a different story, though, with a median rent of $2,158, one of the highest on this list.
Roseville stands out for its low poverty rate of 5.6%. That’s incredibly low compared to the state average of 11.3%, and suggests people aren’t struggling to make ends meet. Add in a 7.75% sales tax, and your day-to-day expenses become a lot more predictable than what you’d face in many California cities.
2. Oceanside, California
- Share of population 65+: 20%
- Median home sale price: $850,500
- Median rent price: $2,293
- Poverty rate: 8.3%
- Sales tax: 8.25%
If waking up to ocean views is non-negotiable, Oceanside probably keeps popping up in your research.
20% of residents here are seniors, so you’ll have plenty of company. But here’s where it gets tricky: median home prices sit around $850,500, and if you’re thinking about renting instead, you’re looking at $2,293 monthly. Both numbers rank among the highest on this list.
The 8.3% poverty rate isn’t terrible, suggesting the local economy is holding up reasonably well, but those housing costs are something you really need to think through if you’re planning to live on retirement savings.
3. Torrance, California
- Share of population 65+: 21.6%
- Median home sale price: $1,305,000
- Median rent price: $2,049
- Poverty rate: 7.3%
- Sales tax: 10.25%
Tucked into the South Bay area, Torrance gives you that “close to LA but not actually in the chaos” feel. You can get to the coast easily, but you’re not dealing with tourists wandering through your neighborhood every day.
21.6% of residents are 65 or older, the highest percentage of seniors on our list. When that many retirees choose the same place, they’re usually onto something good. Plus, only 7.3% of people here live below the poverty line, making it a financially stable city. For those planning ahead, Torrance also benefits from easy access to nursing homes in Los Angeles, offering more advanced care options if and when they’re needed.
The catch? Median home prices hit $1.3 million, the absolute highest of all ten cities. And that 10.25% sales tax is going to add up fast. If you’re on a fixed income, those everyday costs can really sneak up on you.
4. Vacaville, California
- Share of population 65+: 17.8%
- Median home sale price: $637,500
- Median rent price: $2,155
- Poverty rate: 9.1%
- Sales tax: 8.13%
Vacaville offers open spaces and quiet streets, but with Sacramento’s assisted living communities just a short drive away, you’re never far from essential care or city comforts.
The housing situation is relatively reasonable for California standards. Homes are going for around $637,500, and if you’d rather rent, you’re looking at about $2,155 a month. The 8.13% sales tax won’t kill your wallet either.
17.8% of residents here are 65 or older, which means you’ll have a solid community of fellow retirees to connect with. It might feel a bit more mixed-generation than some places, which can actually be refreshing if you prefer that balance over a heavily senior-focused environment. If you want space to breathe and costs that won’t keep you up at night, Vacaville’s worth a serious look.
5. Richmond, California
- Share of population 65+: 18%
- Median home sale price: $569,500
- Median rent price: $1,814
- Poverty rate: 10.8%
- Sales tax: 9.75%
Richmond sits right on the San Francisco Bay, so you can easily get to the city whenever you want, but you’re not paying those steep San Francisco housing prices to live there.
This is where Richmond really shines, with a median home price of $569,500 and rent at $1,814, making it one of the most affordable spots on this list. About 18% of residents are seniors, so you’ll have some company, even if it’s not the retirement mecca some other places are.
But here’s where you need to dig a little deeper. The 10.8% poverty rate is one of the higher ones we’re seeing, and it may indicate that local services aren’t as consistent as you’d hope. Plus, the 9.75% sales tax is going to quietly chip away at your budget every month. Richmond is a solid choice, but it comes with some trade-offs you should think about.
6. Modesto, California
- Share of population 65+: 16.2%
- Median home sale price: $457,500
- Median rent price: $1,645
- Poverty rate: 12%
- Sales tax: 8.88%
Rooted in California’s Central Valley, Modesto has an agricultural history and blends small-town friendliness with practical living.
If keeping costs low is your main concern, Modesto wins hands down. Median home prices are at $457,500, and median rent is just $1,645, making this the most budget-friendly option on the entire list. For retirees who need their savings to stretch, few places in California give you this much financial breathing room.
That said, only 16.2% of residents are 65 or older; additionally, a 12% poverty rate suggests that the area is facing some economic challenges that could impact everything from public services to long-term stability. But if your priority is making your retirement dollars go as far as possible, Modesto deserves serious consideration.
7. Santa Rosa, California
- Share of population 65+: 20.6%
- Median home sale price: $745,000
- Median rent price: $2,072
- Poverty rate: 11.4%
- Sales tax: 10%
Santa Rosa’s natural beauty and creative local culture give it a lived-in charm that many retirees find themselves drawn to.
Seniors make up 20.6% of the population here, ranking it second-highest among the 75 cities we analyzed. That usually means better healthcare options and more activities designed with your age group in mind.
Median home sale costs are around $745,000, and median rent is $2,072; not cheap, but reasonable considering what you’re getting and where you are in Northern California.
However, the 11.4% poverty rate is on the higher end, and the 10% sales tax (the second-highest on our list) is going to add up quickly. It may affect how well local infrastructure is maintained or how much your monthly expenses increase over time.
8. Thousand Oaks, California
- Share of population 65+: 20.6%
- Median home sale price: $1,107,500
- Median rent price: $2,743
- Poverty rate: 6.4%
- Sales tax: 7.25%
Backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, Thousand Oaks offers a rare sense of space and quiet that’s almost impossible to find in California.
The senior population is strong at 20.6% (tied for second highest), which means you’ll find plenty of retiree-focused services and social opportunities. The financial picture looks promising, with a relatively low 6.4% poverty rate and a manageable 7.25% sales tax. Your day-to-day costs should be pretty predictable, which is important when you’re on a fixed income.
The hurdle here is housing. The median home price is over $1.1 million, and the median rent is $2,743, the highest on the list. For most people, making these numbers work requires serious financial planning or possibly downsizing from what they’re used to.
9. Simi Valley, California
- Share of population 65+: 18.2%
- Median home sale price: $855,000
- Median rent price: $2,406
- Poverty rate: 7.7%
- Sales tax: 7.25%
Surrounded by the Santa Susana Mountains and Simi Hills, Simi Valley gives you that peaceful, scenic setting that feels like a real escape from the California hustle.
Financially, it holds steady. The 7.25% sales tax is among the lowest on this list, and the 7.7% poverty rate suggests the local economy is solid enough to support decent public services.
About 18.2% of residents are 65 or older, creating a nice balance where you’ll have fellow retirees around while still enjoying a diverse, multi-generational community.
The sticking point is housing costs. With homes at $855,000 and rent at $2,406, you’re definitely paying a premium. Whether that makes sense depends on how much those low taxes and beautiful setting matter to your lifestyle.
10. Vallejo, California
- Share of population 65+: 18.3%
- Median home sale price: $537,500
- Median rent price: $1,981
- Poverty rate: 12.3%
- Sales tax: 9.26%
Vallejo sits about 30 miles north of San Francisco, giving you waterfront living without the San Francisco price tag.
Median home prices are around $537,500, and median rent is about $1,981, giving your retirement savings much more room to breathe compared to most California options. About 18.3% of residents are seniors, so you’ll find a welcoming community of people in similar life stages.
The challenge here is that Vallejo has the highest poverty rate on this list at 12.3%, which could mean less reliable public services or infrastructure issues down the line. That 9.26% sales tax will also add up over time, quietly eating into your monthly budget.
Methodology
To identify the top cities for retirement in California, we reviewed places with populations over 100,000 and focused on factors that matter most to retirees. Each metric was weighted according to its influence on retirement decision-making.
Our analysis relies on credible data sources. Population size, median rent, and poverty rates were taken from the 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Median home sale prices reflect data from Redfin (as of April 2025), and sales tax rates were gathered using information from Avalara.
Here’s how each factor was used to determine the final rankings:
- Percentage of Population 65+: 30%
- Median Home Sale Price: 20%
- Median Monthly Rent: 20%
- Poverty Rate: 20%
- Sales Tax: 10%
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Article Sources
- 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
- Redfin
- Avalara