Where are best cities to move in California? 2 Fresno-area spots made the list
Planning a move? Two Fresno-area cities are among the best destinations for folks looking to relocate in California, according to Consumer Affairs.
The consumer review website recently ranked the 75 largest cities in the Golden State based on affordability, safety, job growth and other factors.
“California remains one of the most popular places to move to in 2025,” Consumer Affairs said in an April 7 article. “While the rising cost of living and climate risks can make finding the right city to call home a challenge, many people are still drawn to the state’s diverse landscapes, strong local economies and vibrant culture.”
According to Consumer Affairs, Roseville was the No. 1 city to move to in California, thanks to its high quality of life, strong job growth and low poverty and unemployment rates.
“This, along with decent affordability and a relatively low climate risk, helps the city appeal to families, retirees and young professionals,” Consumer Affairs said in its study.
Two cities in the San Joaquin Valley — Visalia and Clovis — came in second and third place, respectively.
Why is Visalia one of the best cities to move to?
What makes Clovis a top destination?
“From its humble beginnings as another San Joaquin Valley town, Clovis has transformed into a thriving community” with an estimated population of 125,826 people, Consumer Affairs said.
The Fresno County city offers the “best affordability ratio for homeowners” in California, the study said, with a median home sale price of $384,335 and a median annual income of $100,360.
“Many prospective movers are drawn to this region for its combination of affordability, economic security and relative safety,” Consumer Affairs said, noting that Clovis boasts relatively low crime rates and poverty and unemployment rates below state averages.
It’s not the first time Clovis has been lauded for its livability.
The city took the top spot on Niche’s list of Best Places to Live in the Fresno Area in 2024, and was named one of the 50 Safest and Most Affordable U.S. Cities to Live In by personal finance website GoBankingRates.
What are best cities to move in California?
These were the top 10 cities to move in to in the state, according to Consumer Affairs:
- Roseville
- Visalia
- Clovis
- Elk Grove
- Murrieta
- Modesto
- Corona
- Temecula
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Moreno Valley
What are worst California cities for relocation?
These California cities ranked at the bottom of the list in terms of the best places to move in the Golden State, according to Consumer Affairs:
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- Lancaster
- El Monte
- Los Angeles
- Palmdale
- East Los Angeles
- Inglewood
- Richmond
- San Francisco
How did Consumer Affair come up with rankings?
Consumer Affairs’ research team looked at California’s 75 largest cities based on five key factors: affordability, safety, economic strength, quality of life and climate risk.
Each factor was given a point value ranging from 10 points at the lowest to 30 points at the highest.
In each category, the city that performed the best was given the highest possible score, with others getting relative scores, Consumer Affairs said.
Consumer Affairs used data from sources including the California Employment Development Department, U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Zillow.
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