For college students, the decision about where and how to allocate money boils down to costs vs. value. The house close to the beach comes at a high cost however it’s on the beach! Living in California is similar in this in this way. The Golden State is easily one of the most expensive states in the world. It’s home to:

• beaches and mountains
• wineries and top-of-the-line restaurants
• Disneyland along with ski resorts

There are some costs, but it’s also very high in quality of living. A trip to the West Coast will always be an extremely popular destination for college students. We’ve made it easier for them by finding the 20 most affordable colleges in California considering the cost of living as well as quality of life.

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Methodology for Most Affordable Towns in California

Our editors first compiled a list of every college towns in California. Then, we employed Sperling’s Best Places to rank each town’s general affordability. To figure out which colleges are the most affordable we assessed costs for:

• housing
• food
• healthcare
• Transportation
• utilities

They were compared to norms for the national as well as state levels. We also considered other features such:

• services
• crime rates
• public transport
• the overall quality of life

We narrowed it down to the 20 most affordable college towns in California.follow the link https://www.youngupstarts.com/2022/11/02/5-cheap-places-to-live-in-california-for-college-students/ At our site

Reviewing the Colleges with the Best Value Towns in California

1. Merced

University of California Merced Cost of Living: 7.5% more than National Average: 61.1% lower than the State Average

With a cost of living that’s over 60% lower than by 60% than the California state average, Merced may be the most budget-friendly college city in Golden State. The only costs that are lower than the national norm are costs for:

• groceries
• healthcare
• entertainment

The cost of housing averages approximately 24% more than those in the United States. As a once-secluded community, Merced has grown rapidly in recent years because of and the University of California, Merced. Presently, Merced remains a friendly campus town.

• an extensive calendar of community activities
• gorgeous natural scenery
• Diversity
• increasing numbers of businesses for local development.

2. Fresno

Fresno State University

Cost of Living: 7.8% Higher than the National Average 60.8 per cent lower the State Average

Fresno has a rich history as a town that was a farm. Today , it’s a fast 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. Some of them include:

• art festivals
• car displays
• numerous local restaurants
• A Civil War reenactment

With numerous things to do it’s good that Fresno is one of the most affordable towns for college in California. Indeed, housing averages only 22% higher than their national mean. They’re 171% lower than an average for state (the state standard). Also, they’re less expensive 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 15% higher than National average; 51.8 percent more affordable than the State Average

Arcata may be best known for its off-gridders and hippie types. It’s a college town that is unique with an affordable cost of living. The lowest cost of living compared to the national average is:

• healthcare
• utilities
• transportation

Entertainment and food averages only marginally higher. Housing prices are 71% higher than the norm in the country, but is still 122% below the state norm. Because the closest town is about three hours away, the term “entertainment” in this region typically means something like:

• University sponsored
• A mountain hike
• A stroll along the beach

4. Chico

California State University Chico

Cost of Living: 21.1 per cent higher than National Average 47.5 percent Lower the State Average

California State University, Chico is widely known as a major parties institution, and so it shouldn’t come as no surprise that the city of Chico is often associated with good times. Unlike some other parts of California, Chico doesn’t vary drastically in temperatures. This is a great thing to those who want a Mediterranean climate practically year round. For those who love good the weather Chico natives love to get outdoors and enjoy nature, whether:

• catching a baseball game at the university’s impressive stadium
• cycling to the century old Honey Run Covered Bridge
• participating in the art-filled, month-long festival of Artoberfest.

5. Redlands

University of Redlands

Cost of Living: 36.4% more expensive than National Cost of Living; 32.2 percent lower than the State Average

Although it is located in Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area, Redlands is far from the glitz and glamour that is La La Land or even coastal California. It’s actually one of several towns which constitute the Inland Empire, a patchwork of cities that are developed and stretch to the east, all the way to the desert. But, Redlands has its charm and is a good value compared to the rest California. Healthcare and entertainment costs are the most affordable of the needs in Redlands. About a little more than then the national average.

• grocery items
• utilities
• transportation.

6. Riverside

University of California Riverside

Cost of Living: 47.2 percent higher than National Average; 21.4% less than the State Average

Riverside is the best place to get to these days! That’s according to Forbes that has recently ranked Riverside the eighth “coolest” City in United States. Riverside is a step ahead of nearby Los Angeles. The reasons are numerous, but some of them are:

• The town’s growing population of the 20-to-30-year olds
• An increasing diversity of ethnicities
• There are a lot of local, family-owned local restaurants and businesses

And the cost of living is pretty nice, too! The average cost of living in Riverside is 21% cheaper than living in the majority of other cities in California. The lowest cost is:

• healthcare
• utilities
• entertainment
• Food items

However, you must act quickly. While Riverside is still “affordable” by California standards, its cost of living has more than doubled in a relatively short period.

7. Seaside

California State University Monterey Bay

Cost of Living: 51.3 19% higher than National Standard; 17.3 percent less than the State Average

High-income retirees and students constitute the bulk of the people who live in Seaside. It’s not an easy living situation for those living on a budget. The costs for housing are three times of what the average national cost. Transportation and entertainment costs exceed the standard for the country as well. However, at par with standard for this gorgeous resort town.

• food
• healthcare
• utilities

Access to the best beaches in California makes a day near the water easy. The main reason to travel through Monterey is the vast network of:

• trails for hiking
• walking paths
• cycling paths.

8. Rohnert Park

Sonoma State University

In the Cost of Life: 65% More by comparison with average National average; 3.6 percent less than what the average is.

In a blink, you may skip the picturesque town of Rohnert Park, which is located in Sonoma County and home to Sonoma State University. The town is known for its long history with a very communal atmosphere. It’s proud to be an environment where everyone seems to be familiar with everyone. Rohnert Park’s cost of living is about 4% less than the state average. A large part of the reason is to do with the cost of housing. The affordability of housing is still a matter of degree. Rohnert Park remains one of some of the places in area of San Francisco Bay Area where one can purchase a house for less than $550,000.

9. Anaheim

Bethesda Christian University

The cost of living is 70.5 percentage points higher than National Average; 1.9% Higher than the State Average

When people are thinking of Anaheim they picture:

• Angel Stadium
• the Honda Center
• the huge Anaheim Convention Center
• Disneyland

However, there’s Bethesda Christian University, a university that is for profit, and a few of the most sought-after community colleges within the region. Anaheim has a large student of population with a vibrant young vibe. Anaheim’s housing costs are 215% more than the national average. Other costs are also similar to the national average, for example:

• food
• healthcare
• utilities
• entertainment (Disneyland Anyone?)

This allows Anaheim one among the most budget-friendly locations located in Southern California.

10. San Marcos

California State University San Marcos, Palomar College, San Elijo College

Cost of Living: 72.8% higher than National Standard; 4.2 percent more than the State Average

As with many other towns in San Diego County, San Marcos is the perfect spot for those who love both cities and the outdoors. Enjoying the outdoors is both enjoyable and easy with access to the extensive network of

• Trails and parks
• Lakes and beaches
• numerous community recreation activities

While the costs of living are around 73% higher over the median for the country, San Marcos is still one of the more affordable places in and around desirable San Diego. The commuter rail line as well as buses with excellent service are good options to save money on transport. Many housing options and a large student population can mean that deals can be sought when finding a good place to live.

Nearly every kind of international food can be located within Berkeley city boundaries. And if Berkeley doesn’t have it? Well, San Francisco is just across the bridge.