- Despite home price gains in the Bay Area and Sacramento, markets within these MSAs are cited as best for families.
- South Central LA is considered among the worst areas for families.
- Folsom and El Dorado Hills, Sacramento submarkets, have the second- and third-highest median family incomes in the state.
Boasting the largest economy in the U.S. and the seventh biggest globally, California has been cited in a recent report as a “great place for families.”
The report, released by WalletHub, analyzed 240 cities in the state and determined the best and worst locales for families.
Of the top 10 best cities, eight are located in either the San Francisco Bay Area or the Sacramento MSA. They include:
- Folsom
- San Ramon
- Dublin
- Pleasanton
- El Dorado Hills
- Danville
- Palo Alto
- Roseville
Two Southern California cities, Aliso Viejo and Eastvale, also snagged spots in the top 10.
A pair of Sacramento submarkets appear most ideal for families.
Folsom has the state’s most affordable housing and the second-highest median family income. Additionally, the city has the lowest percentage of families living below the poverty level.
Nearby El Dorado Hills has the third-highest median family income and the second-most-affordable housing in that state. It also ranks as having the third-lowest percentage of families in poverty.
Other cities mentioned as having the most affordable housing included Eastvale, Manhattan Beach and Bakersfield.
Six of the worst cities for California families comprise Los Angeles’ South Central:
- Huntington Park
- Bell
- Bell Gardens
- Inglewood
- Lynwood
- Compton.
Located in East Los Angeles, El Monte was also cited.
Filling out the top 10 worst cities were Oakland, San Bernardino and Calexico.
These “worst” cities have some of the highest violent crime rates, coupled with affordability issues and low median family incomes.
Calexico, Huntington Park and San Bernardino were cited as having a high percentage of families that live below the poverty level. El Monte, Bell Gardens, Bell and Huntington Park were all in the top five in terms of lowest median family income.
