Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, and Glendale all moved up HomeSnacks list of the top ten most expensive places to live in California for 2024; and surprisingly, none of these places hold the number one spot. So, the million dollar question, what California place earned this title? HomeSnacks knows and we’ve listed it below.
But, before you click that down arrow, you should probably know how we calculated this list. Yes, in order to determine the top ten most expensive places in California, we looked at the American Community Survey for data on cost of living in The Golden State: specifically, home to income ratio and rent to income ratio. And, folks, if you want to live in California’s most expensive places, you’re going to have to make at least $116,771/year. And if you want to live in the number one most expensive place, you might want to think about renting before you buy because its median home price is off the charts.
But, it’s worth it. Many of the most expensive places on this list are some of Califonia’s best places and that’s because these places have the funds to keep its residents happy, safe, and living their best life.
To see a list of the California places where the boulevards are paved in gold and you have to make Mark Zuckerberg’s salary to survive, keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In California For 2024
What’s the most expensive place to live in California? Well, HomeSnacks crunched the numbers and discovered that Atherton is the most expensive place to live in California.
Calipatria (the cheapest place to live in California) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.
And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out some more reading about California and the most expensive cities in the country:
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In California For 2024
/10
Population: 7,124
Cost Of Living Index: 344
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $7,732,900
Home Price To Income Ratio: 30.9x
More on Atherton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Atherton is 344. The median income in Atherton comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $7,732,900 for 2024.
/10
Population: 31,133
Cost Of Living Index: 342
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $4,060,663
Home Price To Income Ratio: 16.2x
More on Los Altos: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Los Altos is 342. The median income in Los Altos comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $4,060,663 for 2024.
/10
Population: 11,258
Cost Of Living Index: 342
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $5,101,758
Home Price To Income Ratio: 20.4x
More on Hillsborough: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Hillsborough is 342. The median income in Hillsborough comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $5,101,758 for 2024.
/10
Population: 8,441
Cost Of Living Index: 335
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $5,525,121
Home Price To Income Ratio: 22.1x
More on Los Altos Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Los Altos Hills is 335. The median income in Los Altos Hills comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $5,525,121 for 2024.
/10
Population: 5,256
Cost Of Living Index: 334
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $3,633,237
Home Price To Income Ratio: 14.5x
More on Woodside: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Woodside is 334. The median income in Woodside comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $3,633,237 for 2024.
/10
Population: 9,115
Cost Of Living Index: 321
Median Income: $200,886
Average Home Price: $2,963,608
Home Price To Income Ratio: 14.8x
More on Tiburon: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Tiburon is 321. The median income in Tiburon comes in at $200,886 and the average home value is $2,963,608 for 2024.
/10
Population: 32,406
Cost Of Living Index: 314
Median Income: $116,771
Average Home Price: $3,641,358
Home Price To Income Ratio: 31.2x
More on Beverly Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Beverly Hills is 314. The median income in Beverly Hills comes in at $116,771 and the average home value is $3,641,358 for 2024.
/10
Population: 10,698
Cost Of Living Index: 313
Median Income: $186,905
Average Home Price: $3,392,502
Home Price To Income Ratio: 18.2x
More on Malibu: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Malibu is 313. The median income in Malibu comes in at $186,905 and the average home value is $3,392,502 for 2024.
/10
Population: 30,771
Cost Of Living Index: 311
Median Income: $237,730
Average Home Price: $3,602,379
Home Price To Income Ratio: 15.2x
More on Saratoga: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Saratoga is 311. The median income in Saratoga comes in at $237,730 and the average home value is $3,602,379 for 2024.
/10
Population: 67,901
Cost Of Living Index: 302
Median Income: $214,118
Average Home Price: $3,220,174
Home Price To Income Ratio: 15.0x
More on Palo Alto: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The overall cost of living in Palo Alto is 302. The median income in Palo Alto comes in at $214,118 and the average home value is $3,220,174 for 2024.
Methodology: How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Golden State For 2024
The two most important things to think about when it comes to being able to afford a city in California are:
- How much money do I make?
- How much do I have to spend to live there?
You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make.
For example, if the median household earns $100,000 and spends $40,000 on housing, it’s actually cheaper to live there than a place with a median income of $50,000 and housing costs of $21,000. You might spend more on housing, but you have more money overall to play with.
With that example in mind, we derived several statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2018-2022 around incomes and costs. They are:
- Overall Cost Of Living Index
- Median Home Price / Median Income (lower is better)
- Median Income / Median Rent (Higher is better)
- Median Home Price
You can then compare these metrics in each of the places in California to figure out which is the most expensive.
You are left with a “Cost of Living Index” by taking the average rank of each of these metrics for each city.
So we used that cost of living index to rank all of the 426 places in California that have more than 5,000 people.
The place with the highest cost of living in California according to the data is Atherton. We updated this article for 2024. This article is our tenth time ranking the most expensive places to live in California.
Summary: Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck In California For 2024
Well, there you have it, the places in California that have the highest cost of living, with Atherton ranking as the most expensive city in the Golden State.
The most expensive cities in California are Atherton, Los Altos, Hillsborough, Los Altos Hills, Woodside, Tiburon, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Saratoga, and Palo Alto.
Here’s a look at the most affordable cities in California according to the data:
- Calipatria
- Holtville
- El Centro
For more California reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In California
- Cheapest Places To Live In California
- Most Dangerous Cities In California
- Best Places To Raise A Family In California
- Safest Places In California
- Worst Places To Live In California
Most Expensive Cities In California
| Rank | City | Cost Of Living | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Home/Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atherton | 344 | 7,124 | $250,001 | $7,732,900 | 30.9x |
| 2 | Los Altos | 342 | 31,133 | $250,001 | $4,060,663 | 16.2x |
| 3 | Hillsborough | 342 | 11,258 | $250,001 | $5,101,758 | 20.4x |
| 4 | Los Altos Hills | 335 | 8,441 | $250,001 | $5,525,121 | 22.1x |
| 5 | Woodside | 334 | 5,256 | $250,001 | $3,633,237 | 14.5x |
| 6 | Tiburon | 321 | 9,115 | $200,886 | $2,963,608 | 14.8x |
| 7 | Beverly Hills | 314 | 32,406 | $116,771 | $3,641,358 | 31.2x |
| 8 | Malibu | 313 | 10,698 | $186,905 | $3,392,502 | 18.2x |
| 9 | Saratoga | 311 | 30,771 | $237,730 | $3,602,379 | 15.2x |
| 10 | Palo Alto | 302 | 67,901 | $214,118 | $3,220,174 | 15.0x |
| 11 | Palos Verdes Estates | 289 | 13,219 | $224,766 | $2,717,769 | 12.1x |
| 12 | Piedmont | 289 | 11,161 | $250,001 | $2,521,288 | 10.1x |
| 13 | San Marino | 288 | 12,442 | $174,253 | $2,524,471 | 14.5x |
| 14 | Menlo Park | 284 | 33,324 | $198,273 | $2,574,718 | 13.0x |
| 15 | Newport Beach | 282 | 85,159 | $149,471 | $3,132,424 | 21.0x |
| 16 | Manhattan Beach | 277 | 35,123 | $187,217 | $2,990,671 | 16.0x |
| 17 | Burlingame | 273 | 30,995 | $165,940 | $2,516,360 | 15.2x |
| 18 | Laguna Beach | 261 | 22,943 | $141,875 | $2,817,490 | 19.9x |
| 19 | Los Gatos | 257 | 33,093 | $198,117 | $2,554,492 | 12.9x |
| 20 | Coronado | 254 | 18,871 | $125,558 | $2,474,258 | 19.7x |
| 21 | Cupertino | 249 | 59,763 | $223,667 | $2,701,204 | 12.1x |
| 22 | Mill Valley | 247 | 14,199 | $202,986 | $2,043,408 | 10.1x |
| 23 | Sausalito | 240 | 7,233 | $163,170 | $1,538,563 | 9.4x |
| 24 | Orinda | 239 | 19,477 | $250,001 | $2,000,722 | 8.0x |
| 25 | San Carlos | 235 | 30,490 | $219,413 | $2,206,123 | 10.1x |
| 26 | Hermosa Beach | 235 | 19,551 | $149,500 | $2,169,343 | 14.5x |
| 27 | Larkspur | 235 | 12,969 | $147,772 | $2,123,779 | 14.4x |
| 28 | Rolling Hills Estates | 234 | 8,214 | $179,917 | $1,986,586 | 11.0x |
| 29 | Lafayette | 232 | 25,310 | $219,250 | $1,924,093 | 8.8x |
| 30 | Corte Madera | 232 | 10,155 | $210,560 | $1,760,932 | 8.4x |
| 31 | Belmont | 229 | 27,820 | $185,944 | $2,118,293 | 11.4x |
| 32 | Villa Park | 228 | 5,814 | $189,306 | $2,030,498 | 10.7x |
| 33 | Millbrae | 227 | 22,825 | $146,649 | $1,927,421 | 13.1x |
| 34 | Santa Monica | 221 | 92,168 | $106,797 | $1,685,607 | 15.8x |
| 35 | Foster City | 221 | 33,215 | $191,267 | $1,799,252 | 9.4x |
| 36 | Rancho Palos Verdes | 219 | 41,805 | $166,747 | $1,836,118 | 11.0x |
| 37 | Mountain View | 217 | 82,132 | $174,156 | $1,845,861 | 10.6x |
| 38 | Solana Beach | 217 | 12,946 | $137,647 | $2,030,109 | 14.7x |
| 39 | Danville | 216 | 43,449 | $209,518 | $1,861,576 | 8.9x |
| 40 | Moraga | 216 | 16,859 | $193,707 | $1,737,291 | 9.0x |
| 41 | San Anselmo | 211 | 12,761 | $165,366 | $1,659,899 | 10.0x |
| 42 | Calabasas | 209 | 23,106 | $154,079 | $1,667,987 | 10.8x |
| 43 | Redwood City | 208 | 83,077 | $145,620 | $1,706,486 | 11.7x |
| 44 | Sunnyvale | 205 | 154,573 | $174,506 | $1,875,596 | 10.7x |
| 45 | San Mateo | 204 | 104,165 | $149,152 | $1,510,087 | 10.1x |
| 46 | La Habra Heights | 204 | 5,599 | $179,990 | $1,294,550 | 7.2x |
| 47 | San Francisco | 201 | 851,036 | $136,689 | $1,254,436 | 9.2x |
| 48 | San Ramon | 201 | 86,119 | $190,829 | $1,550,726 | 8.1x |
| 49 | Arcadia | 201 | 56,181 | $108,214 | $1,326,864 | 12.3x |
| 50 | St. Helena | 200 | 5,426 | $135,781 | $1,750,362 | 12.9x |
| 51 | Half Moon Bay | 199 | 11,633 | $148,702 | $1,510,034 | 10.2x |
| 52 | Pleasanton | 198 | 78,691 | $181,639 | $1,582,884 | 8.7x |
| 53 | Westlake Village | 198 | 7,948 | $188,681 | $1,444,578 | 7.7x |
| 54 | Campbell | 197 | 43,464 | $141,794 | $1,652,630 | 11.7x |
| 55 | Santa Barbara | 196 | 88,640 | $98,346 | $1,766,791 | 18.0x |
| 56 | South Pasadena | 196 | 26,583 | $127,882 | $1,650,214 | 12.9x |
| 57 | Berkeley | 194 | 121,385 | $104,716 | $1,400,497 | 13.4x |
| 58 | Sierra Madre | 192 | 11,151 | $128,056 | $1,347,845 | 10.5x |
| 59 | Santa Clara | 191 | 128,058 | $165,352 | $1,524,900 | 9.2x |
| 60 | San Rafael | 191 | 60,891 | $113,839 | $1,346,362 | 11.8x |
| 61 | Fairfax | 191 | 7,567 | $126,034 | $1,234,232 | 9.8x |
| 62 | El Segundo | 190 | 17,081 | $142,596 | $1,606,335 | 11.3x |
| 63 | Dublin | 188 | 71,068 | $191,039 | $1,293,624 | 6.8x |
| 64 | Encinitas | 188 | 61,942 | $142,506 | $1,808,679 | 12.7x |
| 65 | Dana Point | 188 | 33,025 | $119,632 | $1,541,691 | 12.9x |
| 66 | Pacifica | 187 | 38,048 | $151,849 | $1,246,502 | 8.2x |
| 67 | Fremont | 186 | 228,795 | $169,023 | $1,413,076 | 8.4x |
| 68 | San Clemente | 186 | 64,232 | $134,730 | $1,564,490 | 11.6x |
| 69 | Irvine | 184 | 304,527 | $122,948 | $1,331,528 | 10.8x |
| 70 | Redondo Beach | 184 | 70,620 | $134,033 | $1,379,761 | 10.3x |
| 71 | Santa Cruz | 184 | 61,367 | $105,491 | $1,318,776 | 12.5x |
| 72 | Albany | 183 | 20,027 | $124,469 | $1,208,704 | 9.7x |
| 73 | San Bruno | 182 | 43,218 | $131,669 | $1,253,713 | 9.5x |
| 74 | Laguna Niguel | 181 | 64,259 | $135,822 | $1,312,612 | 9.7x |
| 75 | Scotts Valley | 181 | 12,239 | $136,867 | $1,261,441 | 9.2x |
| 76 | Clayton | 181 | 11,070 | $164,899 | $1,066,247 | 6.5x |
| 77 | San Jose | 180 | 1,001,176 | $136,010 | $1,330,692 | 9.8x |
| 78 | Milpitas | 180 | 79,092 | $166,769 | $1,346,828 | 8.1x |
| 79 | Alameda | 180 | 77,565 | $129,917 | $1,192,032 | 9.2x |
| 80 | South San Francisco | 180 | 65,596 | $127,062 | $1,191,225 | 9.4x |
| 81 | Walnut Creek | 179 | 69,809 | $129,971 | $1,086,764 | 8.4x |
| 82 | Yorba Linda | 179 | 68,035 | $148,325 | $1,245,181 | 8.4x |
| 83 | Pacific Grove | 179 | 15,098 | $102,553 | $1,365,557 | 13.3x |
| 84 | Novato | 178 | 53,055 | $110,948 | $1,071,686 | 9.7x |
| 85 | Walnut | 178 | 28,212 | $130,444 | $1,093,688 | 8.4x |
| 86 | Agoura Hills | 178 | 20,088 | $157,930 | $1,186,593 | 7.5x |
| 87 | Monterey | 176 | 30,007 | $98,003 | $1,156,507 | 11.8x |
| 88 | El Cerrito | 176 | 25,869 | $120,414 | $1,162,177 | 9.7x |
| 89 | Daly City | 175 | 103,648 | $114,910 | $1,122,306 | 9.8x |
| 90 | Culver City | 175 | 40,357 | $114,429 | $1,318,480 | 11.5x |
| 91 | Sonoma | 175 | 10,702 | $96,090 | $977,618 | 10.2x |
| 92 | Cerritos | 174 | 49,016 | $124,460 | $1,003,485 | 8.1x |
| 93 | Huntington Beach | 173 | 197,481 | $114,747 | $1,206,669 | 10.5x |
| 94 | Carlsbad | 173 | 114,745 | $134,139 | $1,449,918 | 10.8x |
| 95 | Los Alamitos | 173 | 11,728 | $100,987 | $1,427,481 | 14.1x |
| 96 | Torrance | 172 | 145,454 | $109,554 | $1,140,607 | 10.4x |
| 97 | Livermore | 172 | 87,154 | $152,590 | $1,087,248 | 7.1x |
| 98 | Laguna Hills | 172 | 31,170 | $122,902 | $1,076,942 | 8.8x |
| 99 | Thousand Oaks | 171 | 126,532 | $125,399 | $1,001,691 | 8.0x |
| 100 | Costa Mesa | 171 | 111,490 | $104,981 | $1,211,464 | 11.5x |