A beautiful skyline view of Irvine, California, highlighting its livability and modern amenities.
Irvine has been recognized as the top city for renters in Southern California by WalletHub, outperforming 182 cities nationwide in affordability and livability. The analysis reveals that while Irvine costs an average of $2,390 in rent, it secures high ranks in both categories. Other cities like Huntington Beach and San Diego follow closely. However, challenges remain for renters in this region due to the upscale rental prices. Overall, Southern California cities are facing distinct hurdles when it comes to affording housing while maintaining quality of life.
Irvine has been recognized as the best city for renters in Southern California, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub. This ranking stems from a comprehensive evaluation of 182 large cities across the United States, including 20 cities within the Southern California region.
The analysis focused on two primary components: affordability and livability. Affordability was assessed using 13 benchmarks that compared local rent prices against income levels and tenant-friendly laws. Conversely, livability was evaluated through eight indicators reflecting regional quality of life, which included aspects such as school quality, safety, and weather conditions.
Irvine emerged as the second-best city in Southern California regarding affordability, while securing the third position in livability. Nationally, the city ranked No. 26 out of the 182 cities analyzed. Rental costs in Irvine average approximately $2,390, making it one of the pricier options in the region.
Following Irvine, Huntington Beach was ranked as the second-best city for renters in Southern California, achieving fourth place in affordability and first in livability, with a national ranking of No. 35. San Diego ranked third regionally, scoring seventh in affordability and fifth in livability, which translates to a national ranking of No. 63. Out of these cities, rental costs are also relatively high, contributing to the ongoing challenges faced by renters in Southern California.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, San Bernardino was identified as the worst city for renters in Southern California, with the lowest scores in both affordability (No. 18) and livability (No. 20). Nationally, San Bernardino ranked No. 174, only outperforming eight other cities. The typical rent in San Bernardino is reported at $1,327, which is significantly lower—about 45%—than the typical rent in Irvine.
Just above San Bernardino, Moreno Valley holds the second-lowest rank in the region, with an affordability rank of No. 20 and livability at No. 13, leading to a national placement of No. 165. Ontario, another city in the region, is positioned at No. 18 with affordability and livability ranks of No. 19 and No. 10, respectively, and a national ranking of No. 156.
In summary, Southern California cities averaged a livability ranking of No. 51, positioned better than the typical No. 97 for cities outside of California. However, concerning affordability, the average rank among Southern California cities was No. 154, in stark contrast to the No. 82 average for regions beyond California. This data illustrates the unique challenges faced by renters in this densely populated area, where the cost of living continues to rise.
Some notable rankings among other Southern California cities include: Garden Grove at No. 4 (No. 10 affordability, No. 2 livability, and No. 68 nationally), Santa Clarita at No. 5 (No. 11 affordability, No. 4 livability, and No. 79 nationally), and Bakersfield at No. 9 (best in affordability, No. 19 livability, and ranked No. 109 nationally). Overall, the average rental costs in the best-ranked Southern California cities are estimated at around $2,186, which is $236 greater than the lower-ranked alternatives, averaging $1,950.
With these insights, it is evident that while some cities in Southern California excel in providing favorable conditions for renters, the high cost of living remains a considerable barrier for many seeking affordable housing in the region.
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