For college students, making a decision regarding where and what to spend your money typically involves costs vs. value. A beachfront apartment is expensive however it’s also near the beach! Living in California is the same like. California is a state that has a lot of money. Golden State is easily one of the most expensive states in America. It boasts:
- Mountains and beaches
- Restaurants, vineyards and wineries that are top of the line
- Disneyland and ski resorts,
Costs may be high but it’s also high on quality of living. This is why the West Coast will always be a top choice for students in college. This is why we’ve done our part by selecting the top 20 affordable towns for college in California by weighing both cost of living and quality of life.
Begin or complete your bachelor’s online with the University of London. Academic guidance from LSE is ranked as the top university globally for social Sciences and Management. Completion in as little as three years.
Methodology for Towns that are Most Affordable in California
Our editors first put together all the colleges in each town in California. Then, we used Sperling’s Best Places to rank each town based on its general affordability. To figure out which college towns are most affordable We looked at the cost for:
- housing
- food
- healthcare
- Transportation
- utilities
We compared them against the national and state averages.follow the link https://www.youngupstarts.com/2022/11/02/5-cheap-places-to-live-in-california-for-college-students/ At our site We also considered other features such:
- services
- crime rates
- public transport
- overall quality of life
Then, we narrowed our search down to the 20 most affordable colleges in California.
The Most Affordable College Towns in California
1. Merced
University of California Merced Cost of Living: 7.5% More than the National Average: 61.1% Below the State Average
With the cost of living greater than 60% lower than that the California standard, Merced can be considered the college town with the lowest cost in the Golden State. This is lower than the average for the nation are:
- grocery items
- healthcare
- entertainment
Average costs for housing amount as being around 24% greater than all of the other states. It was once an isolated community of farmers, Merced has grown rapidly over the past few years due to and the University of California, Merced. The present day, Merced offers a convenient, family-friendly college town , with:
- A complete calendar of community activities
- gorgeous natural scenery
- diversity
- an increasing number of companies for local development.
2. Fresno
Fresno State University
Cost of Living: 7.8 Points Higher Than the National Standard; 60.8 percent lower than the State Average
Fresno has a long history as a farming community. The city is currently a growing metropolis that includes:
- families
- college students
- affordable housing
- big businesses
There’s still plenty of farmland. One of the main attractions of Fresno’s is its extensive list of activities and events, which includes:
- art festivals
- car exhibits
- dozens of restaurants owned locally
- A Civil War reenactment
With lots to do, it’s a good thing Fresno is among the most affordable towns for college in California. Indeed, housing costs are 22% higher than that of the average across the country. They’re 171% lower an average for state (the state standard). Also, they’re lower than the norm. is the cost for typical services:
- grocery items
- healthcare
- utilities
- Transportation
- entertainment.
3. Arcata
Humboldt State University
The cost of living is 16.8% Higher than the National Standard; 51.8 percent Lower that the State Average.
Arcata is perhaps most well-known because of its off-gridders and hippie-types. It’s a special college town with an affordable price of living. That’s less expensive than the national average is:
- healthcare
- utilities
- transportation
Food and entertainment are slightly higher. Average housing prices are 71% greater than the norm in the country, but 122% lower than the norm for the state. The closest major city is about three hours away, entertainment typically refers to:
- colleges that are sponsored by the college
- an adventure in the mountains
- for a walk along the beach
4. Chico
California State University Chico
The cost of living is 21.1 percent more than National Standard; 47.5% lower that the State Average.
California State University, Chico is well-known as a major party school, which is why it should be no surprise that the town of Chico is often associated with a good time. Differently from other areas of California, Chico doesn’t vary substantially in climate. This is a great thing people who prefer a Mediterranean climate, which is essentially all year. Also, speaking of pleasant temperatures, Chico inhabitants love be outside, regardless of:
- going to a baseball game the impressive stadium of the university
- cycling on the century-old Honey Run Covered Bridge
- Involved in the arts-filled Festival that runs for a month Artoberfest.
5. Redlands
University of Redlands
The Cost of Living is 36.4 percentage points higher than National Average; 32.2 lower that the State Average
While it’s situated at the foot of Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area, Redlands isn’t as glamorous and glamour in La La Land or even coastal California. Rather, it’s one of the many towns in smaller sizes that comprise the Inland Empire, a patchwork of communities developed that stretch from east to desert. Yet, Redlands is charming and is relatively affordable compared to the rest California. Healthcare and entertainment costs are the most affordable of the needs in Redlands. Only slightly more expensive than the national norm are:
- Food items
- utilities
- transportation.
6. Riverside
University of California Riverside
The cost of living is 47.2 percent higher than National Average, 21.4 Inflation lower than the State Average.
Riverside is the place to be these days! As per Forbes who recently ranked Riverside the eighth “coolest” city in the United States. It’s quite a bit cooler than Los Angeles. The reasons vary, which include
- the town’s increasing population of 20-30-year-olds.
- An increasing diversity of ethnicities
- there are many local family-owned, local restaurants and businesses
The cost of living is pretty well too! In general, living in Riverside costs just 21% less than most other places in California. The lowest prices are:
- healthcare
- utilities
- entertainment
- Food items
However, it is imperative to act quickly. Although Riverside remains “affordable” in California standards, the price of living has nearly increased by a quarter in the shortest two-year time span.
7. Seaside
California State University Monterey Bay
Cost of Living 51.3% Higher than the National Average 17.3% lower that the State Average
Students from colleges and wealthy retirees constitute the bulk of the population in Seaside. It’s a difficult location for people in a tight-knit budget. Costs for housing are almost triple that of the national average. Entertainment and transportation costs are much higher than the average national cost as well. However, the only thing that is to the average in this beautiful resort town.
- food
- healthcare
- utilities
An easy access to the best beaches in California makes a day near the water a breeze. While passing through Monterey is the extensive network of:
- hike trails
- walking trails
- cycling paths.
8. Rohnert Park
Sonoma State University
COST OF LIVING: 55% greater then average National average; 3.6 Percent lower that the state average.
Blink and you might skip the picturesque town of Rohnert Park, which is located in Sonoma County and home to Sonoma State University. The town has a long tradition of being a kind of commune-like atmosphere. It’s proud to be the place where everyone seems to know everyone. The cost of living at Rohnert Park is about 4% lower than the state average. It’s mostly to be due to the price of housing. However, affordability is a matter of perspective. Rohnert Park remains one of the few areas in the greater San Francisco Bay Area where it is possible to purchase a home at less than $550,000.
9. Anaheim
Bethesda Christian University
Cost of Living 70.5 This is higher than National Standard; 1.9 percent greater than that of the State Average.
When people are thinking of Anaheim they immediately think of:
- Angel Stadium
- the Honda Center
- the massive Anaheim Convention Center
- Disneyland
However, there’s Bethesda Christian University, a university that is for profit, as well as some of the most popular community colleges in the region. Anaheim is home to an impressive student community and has a jolly and youthful atmosphere. Costs for housing are on average 215% more than the national average. Other costs are at par with that of the nation, including:
- food
- healthcare
- utilities
- entertainment (Disneyland is anyone else?)
This means that it makes Anaheim one of the most affordable cities to be found in Southern California.
10. San Marcos
California State University San Marcos, Palomar College, San Elijo College
Cost of Living 72.8% more expensive than National average; 4.2 percent more than the State Average
Like so many other towns in San Diego County, San Marcos is the ideal spot for those who appreciate both cities and the outdoors. The outdoors can be enjoyable and simple with easy access to the extensive network of
- Trails and parks
- beaches and lakes
- myriad community recreation programs
Even though the cost of living is around 73% higher than that of the rest of the US, San Marcos is still one of the more affordable cities in and around San Diego. The commuter rail line as well as buses with excellent service are good options to save money on transport. An array of housing options and a huge student pool can mean that deals can be discovered when it comes to finding a good place to live.
Just about every type of international food item can be found within Berkeley city boundaries. And if Berkeley isn’t home to it? It’s okay, San Francisco is just across the bridge.