CA Community Ranked Nation's Best Place To Live For Older Adults

Several communities in California are among the best places to live for older adults, according to new analyses of factors affecting quality of life.

The AARP released its 2025 rankings of the top communities in the country for older adults, considering factors such as affordable housing, job market and walkability, and one unexpected California city was named the best large city for seniors nationwide.

In all, four California communities made this year's rankings, which were separated into four categories by population size.

The top spots for each category went to San Francisco; Arlington County, Virginia; Cliffside Park, New Jersey; and Great Neck Plaza, New York.

For each location, AARP's Livability Index platform measured 61 indicators across seven different categories of livability: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity.

"There isn't one size or one type of community that fits all," said Rodney Harrell, AARP's vice president of family, home and community, and one of the creators of the index. "It's about knowing how well your community will work for you today and into the future."

San Francisco topped the list in the very large communities category — places with a population of more than 5000,000, for the sixth year in a row. Even though the area's monthly housing costs are three times higher than the U.S. median, the community shines in other metrics, especially health, according to the report.

Also in the Golden State, San Mateo County ranked No. 24.

Marin County, also in the San Francisco Bay Area, ranked No. 12 in the large communities category — places with a population from 100,000 to 499,999.

No places in the Golden State made the list of midsize communities for places with a population from 25,000 to 99,999.

One area in California was represented in the small communities category for places with a population from 5,000 to 24,999. Fairfax, an incorporated town in Marin County, joined the top 25 list for the first time this year. The town ranked No. 22. No Southern California communities earned a spot on the top 100 list.

See the full rankings.