Best Places for Young Families in Northern California

• Methodology
• City Summaries
• Full Rankings

Northern California has a reputation for pricey living, but young families are still finding affordable homes and good public schools in the suburbs of Sacramento and Fresno, as well as areas east of San Francisco.

Half of the 10 best places for young families in Northern California are clustered in suburbs of the state capital, NerdWallet found. Three other communities in our top 10 are in the eastern part of the Bay Area, where the tech industry is booming, and two are farther south, in the Fresno area.

NerdWallet’s analysis

By statistically comparing such factors as home prices, education, income growth and a crime risk score, NerdWallet identified the best places to start your search for the Northern California community that’s right for you and your family. We crunched the data for 202 places in Northern California — cities, towns and census-designated places with at least 10,000 residents. Not every place got top marks in all the categories we looked at, and housing affordability is an issue in some places.

Key takeaways

Family-friendly places came in pairs: Three sets of spots on the top 10 list are neighboring places — Rocklin and Roseville; El Dorado Hills and Folsom; and Dublin and San Ramon.

Second “bests”: Half of the cities on this year’s top 10 list also appeared on NerdWallet’s lists of the Best Cities for Young Families in Northern California 2014 or the Best Cities for Young Families in California 2014.

Best places for young families in Northern California

1. El Dorado Hills

El Dorado Hills, just east of Sacramento, earned a crime risk score of “most safe,” the highest possible mark. Homes aren’t cheap here — the median home value is $472,000, compared with the Northern California median of $304,650 — but median family income here is high, too, at $129,292. El Dorado Hills students are served by Buckeye Union School District, Rescue Union School District and El Dorado Union High School District. Top community attractions include El Dorado Hills Town Center and the area’s more than 200 acres of parks and open space.

2. Folsom

Folsom’s claim to fame may be its prison, but this suburban Sacramento city has a lot to offer families as well. Median family income in Folsom is high at $116,527, and it’s a community with plenty of young families — 30% of families include at least one child under the age of 18. Folsom earns a “safe” crime score, and poverty rates are low. Folsom Cordova Unified School District serves students in the area. The city offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor recreation, and family attractions nearby include the historic district’s Sutter Street, the Folsom Railway Museum, Folsom’s Pioneer Village and the Harris Center for the Arts.

3. San Ramon

Living in San Ramon isn’t cheap; the San Francisco suburb’s median home value of $722,700 is the highest in our top 10. But families in the Contra Costa County city also earn a high median income of $151,494. San Ramon’s crime risk score is “most safe,” the highest possible, and 43% of families include at least one child under 18, the most in our top 10. Students here attend the award-winning San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Top attractions in San Ramon include the San Ramon Performing Arts Center, the San Ramon Art & Wind Festival as well as the city’s many trails and parks. San Ramon recently began a $4.45 million expansion and renovation of its main library, which will reopen in early 2017.

4. Dublin

Dublin, in Alameda County, is located on the BART train line, allowing for a car-free commute to San Francisco, and its crime risk score of “most safe” is the highest possible. Median family income grew 54.88% in Dublin from 1999 to 2014, the second-highest amount in our top 10. The Dublin Unified School District is expanding: A new kindergarten complex at James Dougherty Elementary School is scheduled to be completed in fall 2017, and a new K-8 school in the Jordan Ranch development is scheduled to open in fall 2018. Each year Dublin hosts Splatter, a popular food, art and wine festival for the whole family. The city is home to a wide range of parks and open space areas, including the 654-acre Dublin Hills Regional Park.

5. Kingsburg

Kingsburg, in Fresno County, has the lowest median home value in our top 10, at $219,700. Median income grew a whopping 57.15% on average from 1999 to 2014, the highest such jump in our top 10. Kingsburg is a “less safe” city according to its crime score, which is just under the state median. Elementary schools in Kingsburg operate on a charter system, which also includes one junior high school and Central Valley Home School. Kingsburg High School operates its own school district. Kingsburg pays homage to its heritage with its Swedish Village and annual events including the Kingsburg Swedish Festival and Julgransfest Christmas Tree Lighting.

6. Roseville

Roseville, northeast of Sacramento in Placer County, is one of the biggest cities on the list, with a population of 124,250. Median family income grew 43.28% from 1999 to 2014, but one in eight families in poverty includes young children. Roseville City School District maintains one preschool, 14 elementary schools and four middle schools, and the Roseville Joint Union High School District serves more than 10,000 students. Attractions in Roseville include Vernon Street Town Square and Roseville Theatre Arts Academy, as well as 72 developed parks and facilities for outdoor recreation.

7. Rocklin

Directly adjacent to Roseville is Rocklin, one of the smallest cities in our top 10 — and also one of the safest. Although family income growth in Rocklin from 1999 to 2014 was a relatively low 27.27%, the city’s $92,000 median income is well above Northern California’s median. Students here attend the Rocklin Unified School District, and the city maintains an abundance of outdoor areas including 30 parks and 200 acres of open space. Events in Rocklin include a Mini Maker Faire, the Rocklin Fall Festival and Woofstock Weekend. Community involvement is a priority in Rocklin: The city offers two annual sessions of the Rocklin Citizens Academy, a community education program providing insight into the inner workings of the local government.

8. Elk Grove

Elk Grove is the largest community in our top 10, with 158,455 residents. The city’s median home value of $269,600 is affordable compared to both Northern California at large and to other Sacramento-area communities in our top 10. Elk Grove Unified School District is one of the largest in the state, covering 320 square miles and serving more than 62,000 students. The city is home to over 90 parks, the Emerald Lakes Golf Course, an aquatic complex and swim center and trails for recreation. Annual events in Elk Grove include the Giant Pumpkin Festival, the Elk Grove Multicultural Festival, Elk Fest and the Art Americana Faire.

9. Clovis

Clovis, in the San Joaquin Valley near Fresno, is known as the “gateway to the Sierras.” Although median family income of $74,201 is above the Northern California median, more than one-quarter of families in poverty include young children, and the city’s crime score is “less safe.” Clovis Unified School District serves students in the area, and the Clovis Chamber of Commerce hosts a Young Entrepreneurs Academy for middle and high school students with business aspirations. Family-friendly activities and destinations include 285 acres of parks and trails, Wild Water Adventure Park, MB2 Raceway, a citywide rodeo and a hot air balloon festival.

10. Clayton

Clayton, in Contra Costa County, is the smallest city in the top 10 with a population of 11,328. Situated at the base of Mount Diablo, Clayton’s crime score rates “most safe,” the highest possible. The city’s proximity to San Francisco helps drive up both home prices and family incomes to roughly double the Northern California median in each category. Students in Clayton attend schools within the Mount Diablo Unified School District or Clayton Valley Charter High School in nearby Concord. Nearby Mount Diablo State Park is a popular destination among equestrians, cyclists and hikers. Popular events include the Clayton Classic Golf Tournament, the Art and Wine Festival and Oktoberfest.

Best places for young families in Northern California

Rank	Place	Population	SchoolDigger percentile rating	2014 median home value	Selected monthly owner costs	2014 median family income	1999-2014 income growth	Residents who are married with children	Families in poverty with young children	Crime risk rating	Final score
1	El Dorado Hills	43,862	92.57	$472,000	$3,014	$129,292	32.32%	35.7%	3.6%	Most Safe	68.49
2	Folsom	73,334	82.4	$393,600	$2,381	$116,527	41.33%	30%	3.8%	Safe	67.28
3	San Ramon	73,826	94.91	$722,700	$3,498	$151,494	42.49%	43.6%	0%	Most Safe	66.9
4	Dublin	49,694	86.31	$588,100	$3,083	$128,737	54.88%	32%	2.9%	Most Safe	66.72
5	Kingsburg	11,582	57.83	$219,700	$1,634	$70,305	57.15%	27.9%	10.6%	Less Safe	66.65
6	Roseville	124,250	76.53	$317,800	$2,159	$94,461	43.28%	26.2%	12.5%	Safe	65.31
7	Rocklin	59,002	82.21	$336,900	$2,261	$91,946	27.27%	28%	6.4%	Most Safe	65.1
8	Elk Grove	158,455	72.9	$269,600	$2,034	$84,732	32.25%	31.3%	11.2%	Safe	64.75
9	Clovis	98,815	72.23	$247,400	$1,918	$74,201	45.90%	25.6%	25.9%	Less Safe	64.6
10	Clayton	11,328	88.09	$583,300	$2,942	$141,623	31.81%	27.2%	0%	Most Safe	64.24
11	Salida	14,509	47.83	$187,900	$1,681	$80,594	34.07%	41.5%	9.8%	Most Safe	64.21
12	Susanville	16,537	58.49	$166,200	$1,538	$69,871	54.53%	18.1%	31.7%	Less Safe	63.92
13	Country Club	10,018	94.91	$126,100	$1,278	$50,168	16.36%	14.9%	53.5%	Least Safe	63.82
14	Sanger	24,587	49.19	$156,600	$1,244	$50,206	51.14%	27.8%	22.4%	Less Safe	63.77
15	Vineyard	25,640	72.9	$266,000	$1,945	$78,987	18.02%	33.1%	7.8%	Most Safe	63.51
16	Lincoln	44,397	54.76	$328,300	$2,075	$79,017	54.43%	21.3%	8.7%	Most Safe	63.22
17	Benicia	27,450	73.09	$424,000	$2,369	$113,235	45.22%	20.5%	21.4%	Most Safe	63.08
18	McKinleyville	16,448	74.53	$293,000	$1,925	$60,833	41.72%	18.1%	23.2%	Safe	62.93
19	Orinda	18,390	99.18	$987,200	$3,966	$213,021	60.73%	31.1%	0%	Most Safe	62.86
20	Discovery Bay	14,315	77.65	$386,500	$2,688	$114,085	26.38%	30.5%	12.3%	Most Safe	62.82
21	Ripon	14,645	71.11	$301,000	$2,231	$88,176	40.87%	25.3	16.6	Safe	62.8
22	Hercules	24,596	66.14	$372,900	$2,486	$113,447	37.99%	26	0	Most Safe	62.77
23	Truckee	16,191	77.83	$440,400	$2,609	$82,356	31.25%	26.7	0	Most Safe	62.6
24	Livingston	13,461	33.23	$164,600	$1,464	$51,912	52.96%	40.4	29.2	Most Safe	62.6
25	Soquel	10,275	74.44	$513,300	$2,763	$95,208	55.65%	21.4	6.6	Most Safe	62.45
26	American Canyon	20,089	58.59	$315,400	$2,371	$89,954	46.18%	35.8	0.5	Safe	62.4
27	Pacifica	38,283	81.09	$613,700	$2,811	$113,750	45.16%	22.7	0	Most Safe	61.93
28	Davis	66,093	82.91	$532,800	$2,500	$110,692	49.48%	19.8	8	Less Safe	61.92
29	Cameron Park	18,831	72.71	$336,900	$2,247	$86,690	30.80%	21.9	3.1	Most Safe	61.82
30	Winton	11,774	44.81	$96,900	$1,118	$41,203	38.11%	36.4	35.6	Less Safe	61.7
31	Orangevale	34,449	65.57	$262,000	$1,847	$80,068	31.64%	19.1	2.9	Safe	61.69
32	Cupertino	59,787	98.46	$1,000,000	$3,796	$158,053	44.40%	42	1	Most Safe	61.58
33	Fremont	221,654	78.56	$614,500	$2,753	$112,347	36.68%	36.5	2.6	Most Safe	61.27
34	Albany	19,020	91.99	$639,500	$3,042	$91,967	43.10%	33	15	Less Safe	61.14
35	Pleasanton	73,164	91.17	$732,100	$3,266	$140,311	36.49%	35.5	9.2	Most Safe	60.89
36	Pacific Grove	15,365	81.83	$673,900	$2,729	$93,302	56.63%	13.7	0	Safe	60.2
37	Windsor	27,113	53.61	$385,700	$2,277	$93,921	38.14%	30	0	Most Safe	60.01
38	Castro Valley	62,363	75.13	$539,200	$2,506	$97,572	33.55%	26.1	3.1	Most Safe	59.96
39	Brentwood	54,062	66.42	$365,300	$2,581	$100,925	33.23%	33.9	6.3	Safe	59.91
40	San Anselmo	12,527	94.08	$837,900	$3,437	$122,857	41.99%	24.3	0	Most Safe	59.59
41	Scotts Valley	11,711	91.3	$607,100	$3,120	$115,324	30.20%	28.7	0	Safe	59.53
42	West Sacramento	49,946	40.7	$248,000	$1,970	$62,905	72.95%	22.4	16.2	Less Safe	59.36
43	San Carlos	29,166	93.93	$939,600	$3,691	$158,853	52.79%	26.4	4.3	Most Safe	59.31
44	Kerman	14,110	38.2	$171,600	$1,470	$48,822	43.09%	38.9	30.1	Less Safe	59.3
45	Vacaville	93,994	59.21	$275,100	$2,004	$85,931	34.37%	20.7	8.5	Safe	59.05
46	Hanford	54,523	43.32	$171,600	$1,503	$59,543	43.84%	26.1	15.3	Least Safe	58.93
47	Sunnyvale	145,921	76.77	$748,700	$2,898	$117,982	44.53%	29.4	2.9	Most Safe	58.83
48	Piedmont	10,957	89.04	$1,000,000	$4,000	$247,171	64.94%	37.3	0	Less Safe	58.77
49	Belmont	26,503	92.4	$910,600	$3,626	$142,446	48.81%	27	0	Most Safe	58.58
50	Hillsborough	11,148	98.91	$1,000,000	$4,000	$250,000	25.00%	37.6	0	Most Safe	58.44
51	Chico	87,517	61.37	$263,100	$1,691	$60,195	39.74%	15.2	22.9	Less Safe	58.28
52	Shasta Lake	10,143	34.5	$160,100	$1,319	$50,343	52.51%	16.4	8.6	Less Safe	58.2
53	Livermore	83,901	72.37	$490,700	$2,717	$111,950	35.83%	26.3	5.4	Safe	58.18
54	Foster City	31,809	95.44	$850,800	$3,274	$130,566	23.06%	27.2	5.1	Most Safe	57.96
55	Yuba City	65,141	43.11	$188,500	$1,569	$56,734	44.06%	24.8	22.6	Less Safe	57.96
56	Anderson	10,066	42.11	$156,900	$1,178	$45,599	55.85%	15.8	38.1	Least Safe	57.88
57	Lafayette	24,685	96.67	$999,100	$4,000	$176,250	46.43%	32.6	0	Most Safe	57.59
58	Galt	24,280	47.38	$195,900	$1,780	$62,452	30.53%	30	17.4	Safe	57.48
59	Alum Rock	10,992	57.17	$395,000	$2,209	$71,050	31.89%	33.3	0	Safe	57.47
60	Live Oak	17,494	65.79	$524,800	$2,452	$82,611	54.10%	18.7	7.2	Less Safe	57.43
61	Soledad	26,008	38.74	$199,400	$1,738	$46,651	13.26%	44.7	4.1	Most Safe	57.34
62	Lemoore	24,788	55.24	$192,200	$1,751	$56,775	29.02%	22	19.7	Safe	57.32
63	Capitola	10,043	77.28	$477,200	$2,306	$81,133	36.42%	16.1	0	Least Safe	57.26
64	Reedley	24,858	45.34	$164,600	$1,339	$45,891	23.94%	31.5	26.3	Safe	57.19
65	Linda	18,634	35.08	$136,200	$1,365	$37,872	51.94%	27.8	47.3	Less Safe	57.17
66	Paradise	26,246	48.43	$201,800	$1,349	$56,119	36.12%	12.6	22.3	Safe	57.07
67	Saratoga	30,627	96.99	$1,000,000	$4,000	$197,332	27.11%	34.7	0	Most Safe	57.02
68	Stanford	13,506	96.2	$1,000,000	$4,000	$173,750	96.11%	17.9	13.6	Safe	56.94
69	Danville	42,891	90.13	$852,400	$3,640	$157,842	25.40%	33	0	Most Safe	56.92
70	Walnut Creek	65,923	87.84	$591,700	$2,897	$112,114	33.80%	17.3	5.5	Less Safe	56.91
71	Eureka	27,039	49.37	$240,900	$1,446	$50,807	51.94%	11	21.1	Least Safe	56.79
72	Placerville	10,415	62.41	$238,700	$1,818	$59,158	26.20%	16.7	10	Less Safe	56.77
73	Novato	53,451	74.04	$554,400	$2,757	$97,081	30.43%	22.9	6.1	Most Safe	56.49
74	Pleasant Hill	33,842	70.61	$513,000	$2,531	$108,900	37.85%	22.6	3.3	Least Safe	56.34
75	Oakley	37,391	45.85	$249,200	$2,108	$83,803	21.65%	29.9	1	Most Safe	56.15
76	Exeter	10,468	45.77	$159,500	$1,263	$46,295	25.01%	27.5	41.1	Safe	56.15
77	Tulare	60,663	40.45	$157,000	$1,393	$50,690	37.24%	27.8	32.7	Least Safe	55.82
78	Tamalpais-Homestead Valley	10,331	96.01	$976,200	$3,593	$162,628	33.15%	26.9	0	Most Safe	55.68
79	Redding	90,725	52.8	$221,800	$1,588	$56,506	37.27%	15.2	25.4	Least Safe	55.49
80	Greenfield	16,715	18.33	$174,200	$1,468	$49,544	39.48%	41.6	18.2	Safe	55.49
81	North Auburn	14,011	49.47	$248,400	$1,804	$60,637	30.63%	17.7	0	Safe	55.4
82	Los Altos	29,762	98.62	$1,000,000	$4,000	$190,938	28.84%	33.8	10.3	Most Safe	55.36
83	El Cerrito	24,136	68.55	$589,100	$2,776	$104,524	50.62%	19.8	0.6	Least Safe	55.34
84	Palo Alto	65,998	97.4	$1,000,000	$4,000	$167,440	42.41%	28.7	0	Safe	55.29
85	Alamo	15,639	97.02	$1,000,000	$4,000	$171,633	16.25%	36.2	8.4	Most Safe	55.25
86	Woodland	56,390	45.2	$254,200	$1,816	$66,901	37.40%	25	16	Less Safe	55.19
87	Petaluma	58,912	63.23	$438,100	$2,398	$89,400	25.64%	23.6	7.3	Most Safe	55.14
88	Milpitas	69,346	76.21	$547,100	$2,748	$102,005	20.25%	30.9	4.3	Less Safe	55.05
89	Oakdale	21,260	42.3	$199,000	$1,690	$60,861	38.25%	22.6	17.7	Least Safe	55.04
90	Diamond Springs	12,105	20.86	$235,100	$1,898	$68,474	67.69%	18.2	12.6	Safe	54.91
91	Mill Valley	14,178	96.01	$1,000,000	$4,000	$167,061	39.60%	26.2	0	Most Safe	54.89
92	Olivehurst	13,928	28.46	$135,000	$1,216	$44,394	38.42%	22.4	16.5	Less Safe	54.79
93	Riverbank	23,310	30.77	$173,500	$1,606	$62,366	31.54%	34.6	11.5	Less Safe	54.74
94	Santa Clara	119,525	65.26	$633,600	$2,833	$109,672	42.08%	26.4	4	Safe	54.47
95	Turlock	69,875	42.17	$197,700	$1,702	$59,645	34.03%	24.9	18.9	Least Safe	54.37
96	Berkeley	115,688	71.27	$719,500	$2,851	$114,720	62.88%	12.6	7.6	Least Safe	54.32
97	Mountain View	76,741	76.07	$807,100	$3,180	$119,081	48.15%	21.6	2.4	Safe	54.18
98	Marysville	12,144	41.7	$122,700	$1,163	$45,274	35.25%	16.5	41.1	Least Safe	54.14
99	Fair Oaks	31,256	59.15	$350,000	$2,144	$91,885	22.74%	18	16	Most Safe	54.13
100	Lathrop	19,163	45.59	$196,800	$1,817	$64,136	11.89%	33.3	10.8	Safe	53.97
101	Rohnert Park	41,352	62.17	$308,300	$1,982	$71,590	16.56%	17.7	15.9	Safe	53.83
102	La Riviera	11,529	60.28	$208,300	$1,554	$62,952	8.93%	15.9	8.1	Least Safe	53.82
103	Tracy	84,573	46	$273,300	$2,195	$80,439	19.23%	36.5	7.2	Less Safe	53.53
104	Dixon	18,718	41.91	$264,800	$1,865	$71,994	22.34%	31.1	15.6	Safe	53.53
105	San Lorenzo	24,563	46.92	$350,700	$2,132	$80,149	29.72%	23.6	0	Safe	53.52
106	Parlier	14,750	26.72	$112,600	$1,163	$30,729	26.59%	35	30.6	Less Safe	53.51
107	Alameda	75,763	73.26	$628,500	$2,829	$93,427	36.14%	21.1	9.9	Safe	53.42
108	Visalia	126,942	45.69	$172,800	$1,534	$56,766	23.86%	23.6	29.7	Least Safe	53.26
109	Arcata	17,679	63.72	$319,200	$1,392	$45,728	24.55%	7.8	24.5	Least Safe	53.24
110	Rio Linda	14,581	38.85	$174,100	$1,517	$55,063	21.63%	21.4	15.4	Safe	53.2
111	Manteca	70,693	41.14	$217,900	$1,819	$67,043	29.96%	26.2	16.5	Least Safe	53
112	Suisun City	28,627	41.87	$215,800	$1,854	$76,051	19.55%	24.3	7.7	Safe	52.9
113	Grass Valley	12,861	67.92	$246,800	$1,732	$40,591	22.19%	10.4	37.2	Least Safe	52.82
114	Merced	80,490	34.93	$148,100	$1,382	$43,809	34.92%	22.1	34.7	Least Safe	52.67
115	Rancho Cordova	67,167	38.33	$195,600	$1,674	$58,979	36.49%	19.7	22.8	Least Safe	52.67
116	Farmersville	10,675	23.71	$105,500	$981	$34,538	16.57%	31.8	8.3	Less Safe	52.63
117	Madera	62,559	28.98	$147,400	$1,331	$43,600	36.56%	27.5	37.2	Less Safe	52.6
118	Fairfield	107,983	42.13	$262,400	$2,125	$75,091	35.29%	25	18.4	Less Safe	52.34
119	South Lake Tahoe	21,394	51.09	$322,400	$1,829	$52,885	30.35%	15.6	13.2	Less Safe	52.31
120	Union City	71,675	58.08	$484,300	$2,621	$93,050	24.22%	30.8	4.4	Safe	52.3
121	Monterey	28,053	64.13	$615,900	$2,141	$80,615	37.20%	14.9	0.6	Least Safe	52.3
122	King City	13,171	22.71	$160,300	$1,612	$41,087	21.74%	42	18.7	Safe	52.28
123	Patterson	20,736	34.08	$164,400	$1,671	$58,184	13.15%	39	13.4	Less Safe	52.07
124	Red Bluff	14,069	51.22	$144,100	$1,103	$37,926	15.63%	19.5	50	Least Safe	52.05
125	Millbrae	22,177	89.98	$915,400	$3,513	$106,051	29.23%	23.8	0	Most Safe	52.05
126	Burlingame	29,618	93.64	$1,000,000	$4,000	$132,210	44.79%	22.9	5.3	Safe	51.97
127	Oroville	16,015	23.02	$157,800	$1,254	$42,551	53.80%	13.9	24.8	Least Safe	51.87
128	Napa	78,511	50.88	$412,600	$2,252	$74,981	27.54%	23.6	14.1	Safe	51.85
129	Garden Acres	11,172	31.13	$91,300	$1,057	$39,460	26.01%	22.8	40.1	Least Safe	51.76
130	Newark	43,635	54.33	$455,500	$2,463	$91,103	27.68%	25	4.6	Safe	51.71
131	Florin	50,791	38.16	$143,800	$1,402	$44,694	24.41%	21.5	31.7	Less Safe	51.62
132	South San Francisco	65,537	57.62	$589,100	$2,698	$89,186	33.92%	23.7	5.9	Most Safe	51.58
133	Gilroy	50,776	58.96	$458,500	$2,830	$86,098	31.79%	29.4	12.9	Less Safe	51.54
134	Morgan Hill	39,875	68.14	$587,900	$3,101	$108,037	19.86%	29.4	9.6	Most Safe	51.51
135	North Highlands	44,899	34.72	$146,500	$1,289	$43,243	31.62%	21.3	46.6	Least Safe	51.32
136	San Mateo	100,114	67.64	$736,600	$3,092	$106,876	40.21%	21.5	2.8	Safe	51.27
137	Atwater	28,686	38.77	$134,900	$1,263	$45,281	13.80%	29.2	32	Least Safe	51.25
138	Martinez	36,876	48.64	$407,600	$2,276	$100,577	29.93%	20.5	14.5	Safe	51.17
139	Los Gatos	30,163	93.11	$1,000,000	$3,987	$157,796	32.39%	24.4	4.2	Most Safe	51.13
140	Lindsay	12,688	20.97	$121,300	$1,261	$30,466	22.19%	36.8	28.3	Safe	51.07
141	Ceres	46,570	39.78	$154,100	$1,459	$48,964	12.34%	29.2	25.7	Least Safe	51.04
142	Sacramento	476,075	38.16	$228,400	$1,704	$57,200	36.03%	16.9	23.5	Least Safe	50.76
143	Hollister	36,067	43.91	$300,700	$2,110	$66,363	15.43%	31.3	20.4	Safe	50.76
144	El Sobrante	13,122	53.77	$291,800	$2,039	$66,806	12.58%	19.4	13	Safe	50.75
145	Porterville	54,949	24.78	$146,300	$1,235	$43,657	24.25%	29.4	30.8	Less Safe	50.58
146	San Bruno	42,090	61.24	$602,300	$2,575	$89,805	27.83%	22.1	7	Safe	50.28
147	Seaside	33,729	40.43	$343,800	$2,034	$53,926	24.66%	27.6	18.3	Safe	50.25
148	Rosemont	22,824	38.16	$184,500	$1,564	$59,959	24.53%	17.5	34.2	Less Safe	49.94
149	Modesto	205,984	40.9	$171,200	$1,607	$55,289	21.03%	20.3	26.5	Least Safe	49.84
150	Coalinga	17,235	30.77	$157,200	$1,578	$53,750	30.44%	23.8	42.1	Less Safe	49.71
151	Fortuna	11,863	33.52	$258,900	$1,536	$51,213	31.76%	24.2	33.6	Least Safe	49.71
152	Newman	10,553	28.36	$142,200	$1,313	$46,780	10.01%	24	9	Safe	49.7
153	Selma	23,808	36.02	$155,400	$1,507	$44,226	21.13%	26.3	39.3	Least Safe	49.39
154	Auburn	13,690	49.47	$347,400	$1,902	$77,027	23.74%	12.7	30.5	Safe	49.32
155	Healdsburg	11,466	60.99	$488,900	$2,400	$65,375	18.04%	18.1	12.6	Safe	49.22
156	Foothill Farms	33,024	41.6	$158,600	$1,412	$45,764	10.06%	20	33.4	Less Safe	49.05
157	Magalia	11,467	23.04	$149,900	$1,203	$43,457	12.43%	11.2	14.3	Most Safe	49.02
158	Sonoma	10,818	43.85	$541,000	$2,638	$96,064	46.44%	13.1	0	Safe	48.95
159	Daly City	103,897	55.65	$564,000	$2,570	$83,096	21.55%	23.4	9.3	Most Safe	48.84
160	Santa Rosa	170,782	48.11	$370,100	$2,090	$69,921	17.20%	20.2	15.6	Safe	48.81
161	Lodi	63,158	39.73	$228,400	$1,701	$54,740	16.42%	23.9	21.7	Least Safe	48.75
162	San Jose	986,320	57.17	$579,500	$2,805	$92,379	23.48%	28.2	6.8	Safe	48.36
163	Chowchilla	18,411	38.23	$132,800	$1,257	$38,180	6.82%	22.2	45.7	Less Safe	48.09
164	Ashland	23,360	46.92	$286,300	$2,049	$48,571	12.43%	22.1	6.7	Less Safe	48.06
165	Carmichael	63,314	45.88	$282,400	$1,902	$70,783	19.97%	14.5	29.9	Less Safe	48
166	Fresno	506,132	30.77	$175,600	$1,505	$45,554	26.92%	20.8	36.8	Least Safe	47.82
167	Campbell	40,327	63.84	$681,300	$3,029	$103,539	31.62%	22.5	4.1	Least Safe	47.71
168	Stockton	297,223	31.13	$166,800	$1,592	$50,166	24.07%	22.6	30.1	Least Safe	47.68
169	Concord	125,017	40.63	$368,900	$2,251	$78,218	25.97%	23.9	12	Less Safe	47.61
170	Ukiah	15,956	41.22	$280,100	$1,871	$53,145	34.46%	12.6	41	Least Safe	47.47
171	Citrus Heights	84,678	33.49	$191,100	$1,601	$59,355	15.91%	17.2	14.8	Less Safe	47.33
172	Marina	20,198	32.57	$359,200	$2,260	$63,477	37.58%	16.6	5.3	Less Safe	47.01
173	Half Moon Bay	11,803	65.51	$696,500	$3,268	$108,700	17.89%	22	12.3	Most Safe	46.99
174	Pittsburg	65,761	32.54	$228,600	$1,956	$64,521	18.45%	24.4	19.9	Less Safe	46.76
175	Los Banos	36,626	29.28	$152,200	$1,451	$46,748	3.19%	30.4	25.8	Less Safe	46.62
176	Pinole	18,754	43.12	$346,800	$2,199	$82,679	17.82%	18.8	10.1	Least Safe	46.22
177	Avenal	14,553	12.61	$115,100	$1,106	$29,932	6.83%	31.7	43.9	Most Safe	46.17
178	Dinuba	22,828	22.63	$142,700	$1,258	$37,478	10.98%	28.6	23.7	Least Safe	46.16
179	Santa Cruz	62,045	65.61	$645,600	$2,657	$79,431	27.64%	15.1	16	Least Safe	45.91
180	Hayward	149,596	33.57	$339,700	$2,241	$69,415	26.87%	23.3	16.1	Less Safe	45.64
181	Mendota	11,360	16.43	$105,200	$1,114	$26,250	14.21%	24.9	38.4	Less Safe	45.4
182	San Rafael	58,588	62.27	$691,400	$3,154	$96,660	29.92%	19.9	16.7	Less Safe	44.81
183	Richmond	106,469	28.58	$271,300	$1,956	$59,976	28.54%	18.6	23.6	Least Safe	44.43
184	San Leandro	87,159	31.27	$372,600	$2,256	$76,781	27.40%	21.5	5.5	Least Safe	44.42
185	Arden-Arcade	92,844	38.16	$279,500	$1,909	$60,601	18.47%	14.9	30.1	Least Safe	44.37
186	Antioch	105,630	33.49	$240,000	$2,147	$73,023	12.82%	24.2	16.5	Least Safe	44.24
187	San Francisco	829,072	59.65	$765,700	$3,206	$93,391	46.97%	12.4	6.6	Least Safe	44.12
188	San Pablo	29,516	29.28	$183,300	$1,666	$47,666	13.38%	23.7	41.7	Least Safe	43.91
189	Watsonville	52,085	27	$325,500	$2,093	$48,957	21.50%	29.7	29.2	Less Safe	43.81
190	Cherryland	15,244	33.57	$287,300	$1,898	$50,537	14.03%	20.3	27.6	Less Safe	43.64
191	Salinas	154,077	26.02	$262,000	$1,916	$51,426	15.13%	28.2	24.3	Least Safe	43.41
192	Redwood City	79,736	51.21	$795,000	$3,242	$98,149	33.00%	26	2.5	Safe	43.39
193	Larkspur	12,131	82.43	$1,000,000	$3,643	$115,363	10.90%	19.1	4.4	Most Safe	43.24
194	Prunedale	18,574	26.02	$364,900	$2,339	$79,802	15.09%	20.3	2.6	Most Safe	43.19
195	Emeryville	10,497	23.67	$317,200	$2,210	$84,688	48.41%	7.1	28.8	Least Safe	42.73
196	North Fair Oaks	15,181	69.17	$558,700	$2,435	$53,176	-2.75%	22.8	31.1	Least Safe	42.54
197	Oakland	402,339	34.46	$435,000	$2,440	$60,472	36.25%	14.7	20.2	Least Safe	41.88
198	Vallejo	118,078	25.39	$222,100	$1,917	$67,543	18.90%	16.2	29.4	Least Safe	41.63
199	East Palo Alto	28,920	23.71	$386,100	$2,481	$53,094	19.74%	29.6	2.9	Less Safe	41.44
200	Clearlake	15,121	15.56	$88,500	$1,193	$30,772	20.66%	9.9	73.2	Least Safe	40.6
201	Menlo Park	32,792	37.73	$1,000,000	$4,000	$156,439	48.21%	26	0.6	Most Safe	38.09
202	Bay Point	21,586	8.34	$158,000	$1,547	$42,983	-10.16%	22.3	24.6	Less Safe	35.88

Methodology

We analyzed 202 places in Northern California with populations of 10,000 or more. Northern California was defined as all counties in California, excluding the 10 southernmost counties of Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Certain places were excluded because of missing data. Our methodology focused on four factors:

Home affordability. Home affordability, 30% of the total score, was calculated by averaging index scores for median home value and median selected monthly owner costs. The lower the costs, the higher the score. Data came from the American Community Survey, a division of the U.S. Census.

Growth and prosperity. Growth and prosperity are 20% of the total score. The two metrics were growth in family income from 1999 to 2014, and median family income in 2014. Data are from the American Community Survey.

Family friendliness. To measure whether an area is a good place for families, which is 20% of our total score, we looked at the percentage of married couples with at least one child under age 18, the average crime score as provided by NeighborhoodScout, and the percentage of families in poverty with at least one child under age 5.

Educational quality. Using data from SchoolDigger.com, every place was given a percentile score relative to other places in the state. Education is 30% of the total score.

Anna Helhoski is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. NerdWallet’s Kamran Rosen conducted data gathering and analysis for this study.

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