California’s 11 Most Affordable Places to Live

California is undoubtedly unlike any other state, boasting pristine beaches, crashing surf, gorgeous mountains, numerous iconic cities, and year-round moderate temperatures. But residing in a place with such enticing features can come at a cost. A rising number of California cities are becoming increasingly expensive, and many Californians—especially aspiring millennial homebuyers and residents living in larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco—are certainly feeling the financial squeeze as the state’s housing and rent prices continue to climb but wages stay relatively stagnant. 

Despite its infamous reputation as the most expensive state in the country, California (believe it or not) still has several economically sound places to live. While some of the most affordable places to live are tucked away in the state’s inland regions, many of them are still within close driving distance to popular destinations—you can make a California road trip out of it and listen to a binge-worthy podcast on the way.

The 11 Cheapest Places to Live in California

So, if you want to live in one of America’s most exciting states but don’t want to deal with the high real estate prices (and still want to be close to famed attractions and bustling metropolitan areas), you’re going to need to make sacrifices. While these locales offer pretty great perks (the best of which is that they’re affordable places to live), you certainly cannot expect them to be cheaper replicas of S.F. or L.A. With that being said, here are the cheapest places to live in California that still have plenty to offer: