Metro areas in California: income, rent and home values
California has 25 metropolitan areas with annual Census data, led by Los Angeles, CA with 12.8 million residents. Household incomes are highest in San Jose, CA ($166,364). Renters spend the smallest share of income in San Jose, CA (27.4%) and the largest in Fresno, CA (37.7%). The fastest-growing metro since 2021 is Fresno, CA (+18.7%).
| Metro area | Population | Median income | Median rent | Home value | Rent / income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 12,844,441 | $100,145 | $2,170 | $925,900 | 33.5% |
| Riverside, CA | 4,769,007 | $94,933 | $2,041 | $587,200 | 35.5% |
| San Francisco, CA | 4,630,041 | $136,020 | $2,480 | $1,152,400 | 28.5% |
| San Diego, CA | 3,282,248 | $110,941 | $2,416 | $927,700 | 35.1% |
| Sacramento, CA | 2,477,274 | $102,327 | $1,929 | $594,600 | 34.3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,984,473 | $166,364 | $2,889 | $1,605,600 | 27.4% |
| Fresno, CA | 1,203,383 | $74,752 | $1,550 | $416,600 | 37.7% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 927,068 | $74,621 | $1,491 | $369,800 | 36.3% |
| Oxnard, CA | 830,851 | $113,344 | $2,375 | $860,200 | 35.8% |
| Stockton, CA | 823,815 | $95,680 | $1,815 | $544,000 | 32.5% |
| Modesto, CA | 557,719 | $84,432 | $1,792 | $479,900 | 34.3% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 486,444 | $104,477 | $2,204 | $819,200 | 32.9% |
| Visalia, CA | 485,146 | $75,307 | $1,314 | $369,200 | 32.6% |
| Vallejo, CA | 455,376 | $101,985 | $2,155 | $620,900 | 36.5% |
| Santa Maria, CA | 442,065 | $102,279 | $2,283 | $857,900 | 36.9% |
| Salinas, CA | 433,729 | $103,771 | $2,027 | $862,000 | 28.6% |
| Merced, CA | 297,260 | $74,487 | $1,498 | $423,700 | 33.8% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 282,367 | $97,393 | $2,194 | $877,800 | 34.1% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 258,852 | $111,563 | $2,257 | $1,082,200 | 32.2% |
| Chico, CA | 209,211 | $70,117 | $1,457 | $417,900 | 31.7% |
| Yuba City, CA | 187,478 | $74,595 | $1,563 | $441,100 | 37.0% |
| Redding, CA | 181,648 | $73,050 | $1,380 | $394,300 | 33.8% |
| El Centro, CA | 181,411 | $66,517 | $981 | $342,800 | 28.5% |
| Hanford, CA | 154,327 | $77,703 | $1,530 | $341,700 | 29.7% |
| Napa, CA | 132,949 | $124,372 | $2,357 | $858,700 | 33.1% |
Compare Los Angeles with another metro ↗ See national rankings ↗
California at a glance
What is the most affordable metro area in California for renters?+
San Jose, CA, where renters spend a median 27.4% of household income on rent (2025 Census data).
Which metro area in California has the highest income?+
San Jose, CA, with a median household income of $166,364 in 2025.
How many metro areas are in California?+
25 metropolitan statistical areas in California have annual Census estimates (population 65,000+).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year estimates (released September 2026), with 2024 and 2021 for trends. Figures are survey estimates with margins of error; small differences between metros may not be meaningful. Metro areas use the official Metropolitan Statistical Area boundaries. Compiled and analyzed by Metro Research. Methodology.