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    Neighborhoods/California

    Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in California (2026 Rankings)

    Retirement is about finding the right balance of safety, affordability, and quality of life. We analyzed 25 neighborhoods in California to find the best areas for retirees, focusing on low crime rates and reasonable cost of living.

    IrvineCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $950,000
    Population: 307,670
    Walk Score: 61/100
    AQI: 58
    Long BeachCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $680,000
    Population: 466,742
    Walk Score: 97/100
    AQI: 52
    OxnardCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $565,000
    Population: 202,063
    Walk Score: 95/100
    AQI: 15
    4
    Santa BarbaraCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $1,100,000
    Population: 88,665
    Walk Score: 99/100
    AQI: 33
    5
    San JoseCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $1,100,000
    Population: 1,021,795
    Walk Score: 97/100
    AQI: 52
    6
    San DiegoCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $725,000
    Population: 1,423,851
    Walk Score: 99/100
    AQI: 51
    7
    FresnoCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $315,000
    Population: 542,107
    Walk Score: 93/100
    AQI: 56
    8
    Santa AnaCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $610,000
    Population: 309,441
    Walk Score: 99/100
    AQI: 58
    9
    Silver LakeLos Angeles, CA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $1,050,000
    Population: 37,000
    Walk Score: 88/100
    AQI: 55
    10
    MontereyCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $850,000
    Population: 30,267
    Walk Score: 89/100
    AQI: 58
    11
    Lake TahoeCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $580,000
    Population: 21,403
    Walk Score: 65/100
    AQI: 6
    12
    NapaCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $680,000
    Population: 79,068
    Walk Score: 98/100
    AQI: 17
    13
    SOMASan Francisco, CA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $950,000
    Population: 28,000
    Walk Score: 95/100
    AQI: 55
    14
    BakersfieldCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $295,000
    Population: 403,455
    Walk Score: 82/100
    AQI: 64
    15
    Carmel-by-the-SeaCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $1,650,000
    Population: 3,897
    Walk Score: 90/100
    AQI: 58
    16
    Los AngelesCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $750,000
    Population: 3,979,576
    Walk Score: 96/100
    AQI: 55
    17
    Nob HillSan Francisco, CA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $1,050,000
    Population: 22,000
    Walk Score: 98/100
    AQI: 55
    18
    San BernardinoCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $340,000
    Population: 222,101
    Walk Score: 69/100
    AQI: 54
    19
    Chula VistaCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $595,000
    Population: 274,492
    Walk Score: 91/100
    AQI: 56
    20
    AnaheimCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $650,000
    Population: 350,365
    Walk Score: 94/100
    AQI: 5
    21
    San FranciscoCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $1,200,000
    Population: 873,965
    Walk Score: 99/100
    AQI: 55
    22
    StocktonCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $370,000
    Population: 320,804
    Walk Score: 91/100
    AQI: 49
    23
    SacramentoCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $420,000
    Population: 524,943
    Walk Score: 98/100
    AQI: 55
    24
    OaklandCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $780,000
    Population: 433,031
    Walk Score: 100/100
    AQI: 70
    25
    RiversideCA
    Violent Crime Rate: 5.0 per 1K
    Home Value: $480,000
    Population: 314,998
    Walk Score: 90/100
    AQI: 62

    More California Guides

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    Most Walkable Neighborhoods in California

    ranked by Walk Score

    Most Affordable Neighborhoods in California

    ranked by affordability index

    Best Neighborhoods for Families in California

    ranked by safety, walkability, and homeownership

    Neighborhoods with the Cleanest Air in California

    ranked by Air Quality Index

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