Is California a good state for retirees?

The high quality of life, prolific job opportunities and top-rated health care options make California a desirable place to retire, according to a recent U.S. News
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analysis of the 150 largest U.S. metropolitan areas as potential retirement spots.
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Why is California not a good place to retire?

Drawbacks are high cost of living (estimated to be the second largest in the country behind Hawaii), lack of affordable housing, and a wide variety of taxes (retirement income is fully taxed, and California imposes the highest state income tax rates in the nation).
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Where is the most affordable place to retire in California?

Affordable Places to Retire in California
  • Sacramento Is One of the Cheapest Places to Live in Northern California. ...
  • Redding Is One of the Best Places to Live in Northern California. ...
  • Eureka Has Some of the Most Affordable Homes in California. ...
  • Rio Vista Has a Low Cost of Living and a California Small Town Vibe.
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How much do I need to retire in California?

To retire comfortably in the state of California starting today, you will need to have saved at least $65,000.
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Is California a good place to retire for taxes?

Overview of California Retirement Tax Friendliness

California fully taxes income from retirement accounts and pensions at some of the highest state income tax rates in the country. Social Security retirement benefits are exempt, but California has some of the highest sales taxes in the U.S.
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Is it too expensive to retire in California?

With the second highest cost of living of any state, California is not a cheap place to retire. On average, a 65 year old will need about $1.4 million for a comfortable retirement, about $271,100 more than what the typical retiree nationwide will need and the second highest retirement cost of all states.
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Why is it so expensive to retire in California?

Retirees on a fixed income should also be aware that California fully taxes most forms of retirement income at high rates. Additionally, retirees might find California's sales taxes too steep. California's high cost of housing is also a concern, for workers and retirees alike.
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Where is the cheapest and safest place to live in California?

Long Beach is one of the cheapest and safest places to live in California. You can live on a monthly budget of $2,400 per month.
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Where is the most affordable place to live in California?

7 cheapest places to live in California (that are actually cool)
  • Eureka.
  • Oxnard.
  • Redlands.
  • Chico.
  • Temecula.
  • Clovis.
  • Vacaville.
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What is the most affordable city to live in in California?

Bakersfield is arguably the cheapest city to live in California, with many neighborhoods having available housing stock under $200,000.
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Where are retired Californians moving?

Many retirees have historically chosen to leave California for states with a lower cost of living and a more relaxed, “retirement-friendly” reputation. Foremost among these retirement states are Florida, Texas and Arizona. Those with lower retirement pensions may relocate to Mexico.
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Does California tax Social Security?

California does not tax social security income from the United States, including survivor's benefits and disability benefits. Social security income may be partially taxable under federal law.
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What is the cheapest and safest state to live in?

Here are the 10 most affordable states in the U.S.:
  • Indiana. Average cost of living index: 90.57. ...
  • Michigan. Average cost of living index: 90.40. ...
  • Missouri. Average cost of living index: 89.75. ...
  • Tennessee. Average cost of living index: 89.49. ...
  • Georgia. Average cost of living index: 89.30. ...
  • Arkansas. ...
  • Alabama. ...
  • Oklahoma.
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What is the best area to live in California?

Here are the best places to live in California:
  • San Francisco.
  • San Jose.
  • San Diego.
  • Sacramento.
  • Santa Barbara.
  • Santa Rosa.
  • Los Angeles.
  • Vallejo and Fairfield.
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What are the benefits of retiring in California?

Benefits of Retiring in California
  • Financial opportunity. For seniors wishing to continue working in retirement, this is the place to be. ...
  • Income Tax. There's no question that California residents bear a heavy tax burden. ...
  • Ocean Vibes. ...
  • An Abundance of Culture. ...
  • Focus on Local, Seasonal Nutrition. ...
  • Recreational Opportunities.
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What is the best city in California to live in?

Here are the top 10 California cities to live in, according to Niche:
  • San Francisco (ranked no. ...
  • Sunnyvale (ranked no. ...
  • Torrance (ranked no. ...
  • Santa Clara (ranked no. ...
  • Carlsbad (ranked no. 30 in the U.S.)
  • Pasadena (ranked no. 46 in the U.S.)
  • Thousand Oaks (ranked no. 51 in the U.S.)
  • San Diego (ranked no. 55 in the U.S.)
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What is the best small town to live in California?

  • Ojai. Ojai Valley View from Mountains. ...
  • Sausalito. Aerial View of Sausalito and Marina on a Golden morning. ...
  • Solvang. Town of Solvang in California. ...
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel By The Sea, CA. ...
  • St. Helena. ...
  • Calistoga. Old buildings on main street of Calistoga. ...
  • Sonoma. ...
  • Pismo Beach.
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Where is the safest place to live in California?

Danville

It is located in the San Ramon Valley and was named the safest town in California in 2020. The violent crime rate falls at . 05 per 1,000 residents and 6.6 property crimes per 1,000 residents.
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What is the best state to move to from California?

1 Washington state, it's a mix of beauty and money. The state ranked fourth-best for livability and No. 6 for wealth and popularity. The Evergreen State also offers the 16th-best nurturing and 22nd-best foundation to those considering a move.
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Where is the safest place to live in California from natural disasters?

BestPlaces ranked Sacramento as the safest place to live in California from natural disasters. A group of experts recently concluded that residents living in California's capital are more likely to avoid climate change effects that include hurricanes, sea-level rise, and droughts.
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How much do I need to make to live in California?

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, an adult with no children in California requires a living wage of $38,823 before taxes. Of that annual income, food expenses account for $3,792, or 9.8%.
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Is it affordable to retire in California?

California can be quite pricey. However, it is still possible to find decently priced housing for your retirement, with the benefit of great living standards. California, the Golden State!
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Is California a good place to live?

Better Quality of Living – Overall, living in California is a positive experience for most. If you're willing to deal with the higher costs of living and drop a few extra 100ks on a house, then the golden state lifestyle exceeds that of many other places in the world.
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How much do you need to retire at 55 in California?

Experts say to have at least seven times your salary saved at age 55. That means if you make $55,000 a year, you should have at least $385,000 saved for retirement.
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