Are you considering a move to the San Francisco Bay Area? The Bay Area is known for both indoor and outdoor activities that are perfect for all ages, being part of the tech headquarters, delicious wine, beautiful beaches, and breathtaking waterfront towns.
However, the cities near San Francisco are also known for how expensive they are. The cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area rises every year, and this can make people hesitant to move to the area. However, there are plenty of affordable places to live in the Bay Area if you know where to look. We’ll dive into the most affordable Bay Area cities so you can find your next home without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re looking for a place to settle down with your family, an area that’s close to San Francisco, affordable suburbs, or a neighborhood with stunning nature, we’ve got you covered. These are the most affordable Bay Area cities – and once you’ve picked your destination, trusted Bay Area movers can help you get settled with ease.
Richmond | One of the Most Affordable Bay Area Cities
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Richmond CA is one of the most affordable Bay Area cities and one of the most affordable places to live in California, making it a hidden gem for those looking to live near San Francisco without breaking the bank. Located in the East Bay, Richmond offers a great balance of both urban and suburban life and is known as one of the most affordable places to live in the Bay Area. Families love Richmond for its community vibe and access to parks and recreation like Point Isabel Regional Shoreline and Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park.
Richmond is only a short BART ride or drive away from San Francisco, making it a convenient option for commuters. Plus, there are plenty of local restaurants, farmers’ markets, and community events to enjoy in this San Francisco Bay Area city.
- Median Home Price in Richmond: $679,000
- Average Monthly Rent in Richmond: $2,801
- Population: 116,238
- Median Age: 37.1 years old
- Average Household Income: $86,618
- County: Contra Costa
- Crime Rate: 3,583 crimes per 100,000 people (26.0% higher than state average and 54.2% higher than national average)
Vallejo | One of the Most Affordable Places to Live
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When searching for the most affordable Bay Area cities, you can’t skip over Vallejo. Vallejo is easily one of the most affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco. This city in the San Francisco Bay area is one of the most affordable places to live, with a median home price of $525,000. This is well below the San Francisco average of $1.4 million. In addition to being one of the most affordable Bay Area cities, it’s also one of the most exciting. When living in this North Bay city, you’ll find shopping centers, cafes, and more.
Vallejo is an affordable and budget-friendly city in the Bay Area. There are plenty of family-friendly activities, such as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Glen Cove Waterfront Park, Children’s Wonderland Park, and Hanns Park. In addition to being a kid-friendly area, Vallejo is known for being a food scene. Some of the popular restaurants include Black Bear Diner Vallejo, House of Soul, The Sardine Can, Napoli Pizzeria & Italian Food, Gracie’s, and PHO#1 Noodle House.
- Median Home Price in Vallejo: $525,000
- Average Monthly Rent in Vallejo: $2,056
- Population: 125,839
- Median Age: 40.4 years old
- Average Household Income: $86,112
- County: Solano
- Crime Rate: 5,206 crimes per 100,000 people (83.1% higher than state average and 124.0% higher than national average)
San Pablo | Affordable, Diverse, an Friendly City
Known for being an old Spanish settlement, San Pablo is an affordable city that has great schools, job opportunities, and places to explore on the weekend. With a population of only 32,000, this is one of the best affordable small towns to live in. Some of the top places to visit are the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, San Pablo Reservoir, and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Then when it comes to restaurants, you need to try La Strada, Rockin Crawfish, Sukie’s Country Kitchen, and El Cuscatlan.
As one of the most affordable Bay Area cities, you’ll find very affordable real estate. The median home price is only $540,000, so you’re sure to find a great home for you and your family. San Pablo is known for having some of the cheapest rent in the Bay Area and is full of smaller, affordable neighborhoods. As one of the most affordable places to live in the Bay Area, San Pablo is a great way to live near San Francisco on a budget.
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- Median Home Price in San Pablo: $540,000
- Average Monthly Rent in San Pablo: $2,323
- Population: 32,050
- Median Age: 33.2 years old
- Average Household Income: $72,552
- County: Contra Costa
- Crime Rate: 3,159 crimes per 100,000 people (11.1% higher than state average and 35.9% higher than national average)
Concord | One of the Most Affordable Bay Area Cities With Top-Rated Public Schools
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Looking for an affordable place to live near San Francisco? Concord is northeast of San Francisco and is home to the well-known former-coal mining Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, which is 6,000 acres wide. As one of the cheapest places to live in California, it’s the 8th largest city in the Bay Area and welcomes everyone. As one of the most affordable Bay Area cities, you’ll find reasonable housing and rent prices as well as some of the best schools in the Bay Area.
Some of the most notable places to visit include Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord, Pixieland Amusement Park, Todos Santos Plaza, and Red Door Escape Room. Concord is not only one of the most affordable places to live in the Bay Area but also one of the best for foodies. Some of the best restaurants are Eureka, DJ’s Bistro, Luna Ristorante, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, and Digger’s Diner Concord.
While Concord is considered wealthy compared to the rest of the United States, it’s actually one of the most affordable cities in the Bay Area.
- Median Home Price in Concord: $780,000
- Average Monthly Rent in Concord: $2,288
- Population: 125,176
- Median Age: 38.8
- Average Household Income: $107,789
- County: Contra Costa
- Crime Rate: 3,444 crimes per 100,000 people (21.1% higher than state average and 48.2% higher than national average)
San Jose | One of the Most Affordable Bay Area Cities and the Capital Of Silicon Valley
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San Jose is home to top financial and tech companies and has quickly become known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” one of the most bustling metropolitan areas in the state and one of the cheapest places to live in the Bay Area. San Jose is one of the most affordable places to live in the Bay Area and is often a place where young professionals strive to live.
With beautiful parks, kid-friendly attractions, museums, and historical sites, San Jose is known as one of the most affordable cities near San Francisco as well as a place for all ages.
Whether you’re visiting or a full-time resident, some of the best attractions to check out include Happy Hallow Park & Zoo, the San Jose Museum of Art, Municipal Rose Garden, Raging Waters San Jose, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, Kelley Park, and OMESCAPE San Jose. You can also enjoy easy access to other cities like San Francisco and Vallejo.
Although San Jose is on the expensive end when it comes to real estate, it’s still very affordable compared to many other cities in the Bay Area.
- Median Home Price in San Jose: $1,400,000
- Average Monthly Rent in San Jose: $3,022
- Population: 1.011 million
- Median Age: 37.8
- Average Household Income: $136,010
- County: Santa Clara
- Crime Rate: 3,178 crimes per 100,000 people (11.8% higher than state average and 36.7% higher than national average)
Walnut Creek | Best Suburb and One of the Most Affordable Bay Area Cities
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When looking for the most affordable Bay Area cities, make sure you check out Walnut Creek. Walnut Creek is often considered to be the cheapest city in the Bay Area, with some of the cheapest homes in California. Known as one of the best suburbs to live in the Bay Area, Walnut Creek is on a mission to provide affordable rental housing to help create a safe place where individuals can settle down and call a place home.
As one of the most affordable places to live in the Bay Area, Walnut Creek is a great place to live for families on a budget. It’s also near San Francisco, making it the perfect area for commuters.
Walnut Creek is known for its beautiful destinations to explore, diverse culture, and thriving economy. Areas such as the Old Borges Ranch, Civic Park, Crown Memorial State Beach, Diablo Foothills Regional Park, and Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area are often the go-to places to explore on the weekend.
Local activities aren’t the only thing that attracts people to Walnut Creek, it’s also their delicious restaurants. Teleferic Barcelona Walnut Creek, Sauced BBQ & Spirits Walnut Creek, II Fornaio Walnut Creek, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Broderick Roadhouse, and True Food Kitchen are just a few examples of the top-rated restaurants in Walnut Creek.
- Median Home Price in Walnut Creek: $766,000
- Average Monthly Rent in Walnut Creek: $2,595
- Population: 69,974
- Median Age: 47.2 years old
- Average Household Income: $129,971
- County: Contra Costa
- Crime Rate: 1,725 crimes per 100,000 (39.3% lower than state average and 25.8% lower than national average)
Dublin | One of the Safest and Affordable Places to Live in the Bay Area
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Looking for affordable suburbs of San Francisco? Known as the “crossroads of the San Francisco Bay Area,” Dublin is a perfect place to live and one of the most affordable Bay Area cities. Parks are a huge commodity here in Dublin, CA, due to being a family-friendly community.
In addition to being one of the most affordable cities, it’s also one of the safest cities in the Bay Area. The crime rate is 54% lower than the state average and 44% lower than the national average. It’s a safe area to call home and has plenty of fun activities to do, such as Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl, The Wave Waterpark, Dublin Iceland Ice Skating, Emerald Glen Park, and Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park.
- Median Home Price in Dublin: $1,500,000
- Average Monthly Rent in Dublin: $2,787
- Population: 72,312
- Median Age: 37.1
- Average Household Income: $191,039
- County: Alameda
- Crime Rate: 1,308 crimes per 100,000 people (54% lower than state average and 44% lower than national average)
Map of Bay Area Suburbs
Check out this map for the best and most affordable Bay Area cities.
Finding a budget-friendly suburb in the Bay area doesn’t have to feel impossible anymore. Now that you know all of the affordable places to live in the Bay Area, where will you move to? Any one of these most affordable cities would be a great choice. And when you’re ready to move, AMS Relocation can help!
As agents of Bekins, and with our 65+ years of experience, our dedicated team of Bay Area movers will help make this transition seamless. Call us today at (650) 284-2931 for a free quote!
