Amazing mountain ranges, some of the best beaches in the world, stunning deserts, endless sunshine … you may think that Southern California, with its palatial estates perched on cliffs overlooking the ocean, is only for wealthy celebrities, but there are several affordable cities in SoCal so you can stop dreaming about that laid-back, beachy lifestyle and start enjoying it.
What Is Southern California?
Southern California is considered a "megapolitan" region -- basically, it is all of California's southern section (considered everything south of the Sierra Nevada Mountains). The area includes eight counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Imperial. The major cities include Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Palm Springs, Malibu, and Long Beach. It is home to many tourist destinations, including Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, and the San Diego Zoo. It is also the epicenter of the movie industry, and it is home to nearly 23 million people.
Life in Southern California Is Beachy
The beaches in SoCal are legendary: Catalina Island, La Jolla, Venice Beach, Newport Beach, Coronado, Laguna Beach … each offers something different, from the quirky and fun Venice Beach to the stunning cliffs and elegance of El Matador Beach. The shopping is as legendary as the beaches -- Rodeo Drive, Union Square, South Coast Plaza, El Paseo, Ghirardelli Square … no matter where in SoCal you choose to live, you'll be near some seriously impressive shops and restaurants.
What Does It Cost to Live in Southern California?
From its diverse landscape to its movie stars to its shopping, SoCal is a truly one-of-a-kind location. And that, naturally, comes with a price. Of course, much depends on which SoCal city you choose. Here are some terrific Southern California cities and the current average rent for each:
Irvine
If you want to rent in Irvine, you’ll pay an average rent around $2,865, which is slightly higher than the average rent in Los Angeles, which is currently $2,805.
While it is slightly more expensive, Irvine is home to the University of California-Irvine, Concordia University, and Pepperdine University. This award-winning city tops the best-places lists, with one of the highest quality of life ratings in the country. As for safety, Irvine has earned the “safest city” award 15 years in a row.
Cypress
If you want a city that’s a bit more affordable, you'll find apartments in Cypress, California for around $2,215 a month. Cypress is slightly northeast of Seal Beach and directly west of Disneyland Park. Once a leader in the dairy industry, this former rural area of about 1,600 residents has grown into a thriving city of nearly 50,000. With its award-winning schools, Cypress is a terrific location for those with kids. The city is between California State University-Long Beach on the west side and Knott's Berry Farm to the east.
Goleta
A studio apartment in Goleta is about $1,317, making this seaside city as affordable as it is beautiful. To the north, you'll find the vast mountains of Los Padres National Forest. To the south, the coast -- including Goleta Beach Park. You'll also find the University of California-Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Airport. Goleta is in Santa Barbara County and features a population of about 30,000. Goleta means "Good Land," and the name fits. This is the birthplace of singer Katy Perry and it is the location of Deckers Outdoor Corporation (the parent company for UGG Australia).
Monrovia
You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in Monrovia for about $1,730 a month -- not bad, considering your backyard is the San Gabriel Mountains. The palm trees and mountains make for stunning views -- and the hiking is amazing. It is so beautiful, in fact, that the landscape is often used as the background for movie and television productions. Monrovia is part of Los Angeles County and features its very own tech corridor.
Palm Springs
Perhaps you would prefer a desert landscape to the ocean. Your idea of fun is off-roading through miles of barren sand -- not surfing the waves. In that case, consider Palm Springs -- even if you want to occasionally cool off at the beach or go hiking in the mountains, this handy location puts you near it all. In about two hours, you could be surfing. In less than an hour, you could be exploring Joshua Tree National Park. Palm Springs became famous as a movie-star retreat in the 1930s, with stars like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Frank Sinatra all owning hideaways in Palm Springs. Even with its desert landscape and historic sites, apartments in Palm Springs are surprisingly affordable -- you can find one-bedroom apartments renting for around $1,673 a month.
If you want to live in sunny Southern California, start by looking at these and other affordable locations. Additional cities to keep in mind include Costa Mesa, Newport, Redondo Beach, Oxnard, Camarillo, Seal Beach, Westminster, Aliso Viejo, San Luis Obispo, San Gabriel, and South Pasadena. Apartments.com can help you find the perfect location in SoCal. Start on the Rent Market Trends page for Los Angeles. Scroll down to the comparison tool, and type in the California cities you want to compare. We’ll help you make that California dream a reality!
