California
California ranks #40 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 43.6/100 and a C grade. Its strongest category is Health (69/100) and its weakest is Affordability (7/100).
How Does California Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in California
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 196 | Irvine | A | 60.2 | 314,615 | $127,989 | 88.9 | 115.5 |
| 211 | Fremont | B+ | 59.8 | 226,211 | $170,934 | 220.1 | 118.2 |
| 391 | San Jose | B | 55.5 | 969,615 | $136,229 | 634.7 | 112.9 |
| 425 | San Diego | B | 54.7 | 1,388,312 | $105,780 | 424.8 | 111.5 |
| 431 | San Francisco | B | 54.6 | 808,988 | $126,730 | 710.2 | 118.2 |
| 443 | Santa Clarita | B | 54.2 | 224,039 | $118,489 | 178.4 | 113.5 |
| 463 | Chula Vista | B | 53.8 | 274,344 | $106,623 | 351.2 | 111.5 |
| 479 | Fontana | B | 53.4 | 215,485 | $100,890 | 282.2 | 107.9 |
| 615 | Santa Ana | C+ | 50.4 | 310,523 | $85,914 | 566.8 | 113.5 |
| 712 | Anaheim | C | 48.1 | 340,505 | $84,872 | 592.8 | 115.5 |
| 753 | Sacramento | C | 46.8 | 526,383 | $85,928 | 806 | 108.9 |
| 770 | Riverside | C | 46.2 | 318,855 | $88,175 | 550 | 107.9 |
| 838 | Los Angeles | D | 44.0 | 3,820,963 | $79,701 | 820.1 | 115.5 |
| 850 | Oakland | D | 43.4 | 436,508 | $96,828 | 3640.6 | 118.2 |
| 855 | Long Beach | D | 43.0 | 449,496 | $81,606 | 636.6 | 115.5 |
| 856 | Bakersfield | D | 43.0 | 413,376 | $79,355 | 651.7 | 102.2 |
| 860 | Modesto | D | 42.9 | 218,909 | $80,471 | 651.1 | 105 |
| 903 | Fresno | D | 41.4 | 545,717 | $67,603 | 748.6 | 104 |
| 954 | Stockton | F | 38.5 | 319,537 | $76,191 | 1153.6 | 107.4 |
| 955 | San Bernardino | F | 38.5 | 223,706 | $63,328 | 1071.2 | 107.9 |
Best Cities in California for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Irvine | 56.6 | 47.3 | 89.9 | 18.9 |
| 2 | Fontana | 54.2 | 58.7 | 79.0 | 40.1 |
| 3 | Santa Clarita | 53.8 | 52.5 | 86.6 | 28.1 |
| 4 | Fremont | 53.0 | 47.0 | 71.8 | 18.3 |
| 5 | San Diego | 52.2 | 54.4 | 66.7 | 26.7 |
More West States
California Rankings Overview
California earns an overall grade of C with a composite score of 43.6 out of 100, ranking #40 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Health (69/100) while its biggest challenge is Affordability (7/100).
Economy & Employment in California
With an unemployment rate of 5.4% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), California performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $91,905, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in California
California's violent crime rate of 440 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in California
California ranks #16 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #27 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in California is 79.8 years, and the high school graduation rate is 85%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in California
California's total tax burden is 11% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 14.4%. The effective property tax rate is 0.71% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.99%.
Housing & Affordability in California
The median home price in California is $833,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 113 (where 100 equals the national average), placing it among the more expensive states. The price-to-income ratio is 9.1x.
Environment in California
California has a median air quality index of 48 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 52% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 56.3 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in California
California's population growth rate is +0.2% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -6.1 per 1,000 residents, indicating significant outward migration. 95.9% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in California
The top-ranked cities in California based on our composite scoring are Irvine, Fremont, and San Jose. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is California's overall ranking?
California ranks #40 out of 50 states with a composite score of 43.6/100 and a grade of C.
Is California a good place to live?
California scores 43.6/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in California?
The violent crime rate in California is 440 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does California's economy compare?
California's median household income is $91,905 with an unemployment rate of 5.4%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in California?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in California are Irvine, Fremont, and San Jose.
How does California rank for families?
California ranks #41 of 50 states for families with a score of 43.3/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does California rank for retirees?
California ranks #47 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 44.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does California rank for remote workers?
California ranks #50 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 29.9/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.