With so many cities in Northern California, how are you supposed to know which ones are the best? If you are relocating to Northern California, but aren’t sure where to start, this post is perfect for you. In this post, we highlight some of the best cities, plus we talk about what makes them such great places to live. You might be surprised at some of the information you find.

Best Northern California Cities to Live

Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA a great city to live! With abundant opportunities for employment and higher education, the State’s capital is a very popular Northern California city. Sacramento is home to some of the top employment opportunities in the state, which include government, technology, and healthcare. Top universities and community colleges can be found within a 30-mile radius of the city including UC Davis, California State University, Sacramento, and American River College.

Love the great outdoors? Sacramento is centrally located to hiking trails, mountains, rivers, lakes and beaches.

Lincoln, CA
If you’re looking to put roots down in a Northern California city, consider Lincoln, CA. With many technology start-ups and quick access to Sacramento, Lincoln is a popular choice for young families. Cost of living is lower than other surrounding suburbs, making it a great place to land!

Don’t like the idea of living in the suburbs? Although there is quite a bit of new development and modern amenities in Lincoln, it still has abundant farmland and programs like 4H. Rated the 8th safest city to live in CA, we think Lincoln is a great choice if you’re relocating to the Sacramento area.

Roseville, CA
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Roseville, CA is one of the most beautiful suburbs in California to live. With meticulously landscaped streets and businesses, Roseville’s vibe matches its upscale price tag. Many families choose to relocate to Roseville because the city is home to some of the top-rated schools in the state. Amenities are abundant from running trails to high-end shopping malls, and congestion is minimal.

Redding, CA
The small city of Redding, CA is home to approximately 91,000 people and is the county seat of Shasta County. Redding is the largest California city located north of Sacramento, so it is considered a central hub for the most northern part of the state. Home prices are well below the state average, making it an affordable city to live. Residents enjoy access to several outdoor activities, including hiking trails (like the Pacific Crest Trail), rivers, multiple lakes, camping, and even caverns!

Concord, CA
Concord, CA is an average sized city located in the San Francisco Bay Area with a population of about 125,000 residents. What makes Concord, CA such a great city to live is its beautiful weather, not too hot or too cold. Concord, CA also offers a stable housing market with home prices being just a little below the average price for the state. Like many Bay Area cities, the public transportation system in Concord, which includes BART, is easy to use and can get you just about everywhere you need to go. The best part about Concord, CA, like many other Bay Area cities, is how much stuff there is to do in the city, including theme parks.

Stockton, CA
Many people hear “Stockton” and think high crime, but Stockton can actually be a great place to live. Stockton is home to over 300,000 residents and you can easily find anything you need within the city limits, whether it is a Sikh temple (1st one in the US) or a Japanese grocery store, Stockton is one of the most diversified areas in CA. Stockton is centrally located in Northern California, which means you have easy access to everything the Northern cities offer, plus its low cost of living makes it affordable for most residents.