14 CA Cities Among Best Places To Live In America, U.S. News Says

CALIFORNIA — A total of 14 cities in California ranked among the top 150 places to live, according to a new ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report. That ties with Florida for the most top cities on the list

The cities in California added to the 2024-2025 Best Places to Live in the U.S. report and their national rankings include:

• 22: San Francisco
• 46: San Diego
• 70: San Jose
• 71: Santa Barbara
• 110: Visalia
• 116: Sacramento
• 121: Bakersfield
• 127: Santa Rosa
• 130: Los Angeles
• 131: Fresno
• 133: Salinas
• 139: Modesto
• 143: Vallejo
• 144: Stockton

Naples, Florida, topped the list due to its strong job market and high quality of life, U.S. News said. A change in data collection, including a shift from metropolitan area-based data to city-based data — brought some new appearances in the top 25 from the Midwest and South.

“The incorporation of city-based data further localizes the Best Places to Live rankings, empowering those looking for a place to call home to consider factors directly impacting the livability and overall experiences associated with a given place,” Erika Giovanetti, a loans expert and reporter for U.S. News, said in a news release.

The top 10 places to live in the United States, according to the U.S. News methodology, are:

1. Naples, Florida
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
4. Greenville, South Carolina
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
6. Raleigh, North Carolina
7. Huntsville, Alabama
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
9. Austin, Texas
10. Boulder, Colorado

This year, U.S. News also adjusted its scoring weights for stronger consideration of a city’s value and job market.

“Rising concerns about career prospects, housing affordability and increased cost of goods and services are reflected in this year’s rankings,” Giovanetti said. “While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans, a city’s value and job market are becoming increasingly important for those looking for a place to live.”

U.S. News takes into consideration the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. The measures were weighted, in part, based on a public survey of thousands of people to find out what qualities they think are important in deciding where to live.

Data and information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Sharecare, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other U.S. News rankings were also used in the rankings.