10 'Best' CA Cities To Move To In 2025

CALIFORNIA — As home prices continue to soar across much of California, a new ConsumerAffairs report spotlighted 10 cities that stand out as top destinations for first-time homebuyers, offering affordability, economic opportunity and quality of life.

The report ranked cities based on metrics like housing costs, population trends, crime rates and employment opportunities.

While many of California’s coastal towns have become increasingly out of reach, these inland and suburban areas are gaining attention from prospective movers.

Of the 10 best cities, five are in the Riverside metro, two are in the Sacramento area, and the remaining three are scattered across the Central Valley.

Here are the best cities to move to in California, according to ConsumerAffairs:

1. Roseville – Topping the list, this Sacramento suburb offers low crime rates, solid schools and a thriving local economy, making it a top pick for young families.
2. Visalia — This town is the oldest in the San Joaquin Valley and ranks as the most affordable place to buy a home on the list. The city is also known as a "gateway" to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
3. Clovis — This San Joaquin Valley city has doubled in population since 1985. The community features a historic downtown and is relatively safe.
4. Elk Grove — The second-largest city in the Sacramento area, this community offers an abundance of affordable attractions, festivals and more recreation. Low crime rates and a strong economy have driven up population rates in recent years.
5. Murrieta — This Southwest Riverside County city holds the title of having "the best economy," according to Consumer Affairs. It has had the second-highest job growth from 2019 to 2023. Its population has also boomed from a modest 2,200 in 1980 to 112,000 in 2023.

Other cities that followed on that list were Modesto, Corona, Temecula, Rancho Cucamonga and Moreno Valley.

Meanwhile, Oakland ranked as the worst place to move in California since it has the highest crime rates and major challenges in affordability, economy and climate risk, according to the report. What's more, no cities in the Los Angeles metro area made the top 25.

To identify the best cities to move to in California, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team said it evaluated the state’s 75 most populous cities across five weighted categories: affordability, safety, economy, quality of life and climate risk.

Check out the full report here.