San Francisco has been named one of the most livable metropolitan areas in America, and the most livable in California, according to a new national survey.
Despite its sky‑high housing costs and ongoing affordability concerns, San Francisco landed No. 3 nationwide for quality of life in RentCafe’s 2026 ranking of 150 U.S. metro areas. That boost helped push the region to 33rd overall in the nation — the strongest showing among California metros in the survey.
The survey found that eight of California’s 16 metro areas scored well on quality-of-life measures, including access to health care, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and availability of healthy food options.
It’s a reminder that while the Golden State continues to grapple with cost-of-living pressures, livability isn’t solely defined by affordability.
RentCafe’s annual analysis evaluates metro areas across 17 indicators tied to socioeconomic conditions, quality of life, and community characteristics, helping movers identify regions that best match their needs.
Topping this year’s list: Washington, D.C., praised for its “focus on wellness, revitalization efforts, and unmatched professional networking opportunities.”
Here’s what to know about the RentCafe survey.
Why is San Francisco the most livable metro in California?
The quality-of-life category is where San Francisco stood out, with the survey finding residents are healthier both mentally and physically.
With a diverse food scene, from North Beach’s Italian eateries to fresh seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf and more than 20 farmers’ markets, it may come as no surprise that San Francisco scored the highest of all 16 California metros in food quality.
San Franciscans also fare well in health and wellness, ranking highest for the number of healthcare providers per 10,000 residents. With more than 230 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces in the city, plus two outside city limits, RentCafe also ranked San Francisco first for access to places for physical fitness.
Salinas, Central Valley areas suprsingly make top 150 list
RentCafe’s annual rankings highlight some interesting findings about the 16 California metro areas it analyzed.
Fresno has the lowest cost of living (8.1% above the national average), while San Jose in Silicon Valley and Salinas, the “salad bowl of the world,” have the highest, at 103.3% above the national average.
Salinas also has the lowest income growth at 0% and the lowest unemployment rate at 4.1%, so if you want to move to the region, be prepared to work a lot to afford it. Salinas ranked near the bottom at 149 (out of 150 nationwide) for both socioeconomics and community and location.
Another agricultural metro, Visalia, located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, had the highest unemployment rate and the least access to outdoor fitness areas of all the California metros analyzed.
Where do other California metros rank?
RentCafe ranked 16 California metros in its 2026 Most Livable Cities survey.
Top 10 metro areas in United States
RentCafe’s latest national livability survey identifies the top 10 U.S. metro areas that offer the strongest combination of affordability, quality of life, and community well‑being.
1. Washington, D.C.: Driven by exceptional quality of life, diverse healthcare access, a highly educated population, strong community networks, and abundant arts and entertainment offerings. [newslink.mba.org]
2. Portland, Maine: Down from first last year—thanks to robust access to fresh food, higher‑education opportunities, a strong healthcare network, and rich cultural and recreational amenities.
3. Kansas City, Missouri: Buoyed by affordability, steady income growth, short commute times, and a lively tech‑ and culture‑driven social scene.
4. Des Moines, Iowa: “Punching above its weight” with strong affordability, growing social vibrancy, and balanced performance across socioeconomics, quality of life, and community measures.
5. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Based on its strong overall performance across RentCafe’s three core categories—socioeconomics, quality of life, and community engagement—though no city‑specific details were highlighted.
6. Albany, New York: Performing well across the report’s 17 metrics, with no single factor singled out by analysts as the primary driver.
7. Columbus, Ohio: Columbus lands at No. 7 with solid standings across socioeconomic, quality‑of‑life, and community metrics, though the report did not provide additional city‑specific drivers.
8. Asheville, North Carolina: Supported by strong cumulative scores across RentCafe’s major categories, despite the absence of a highlighted city‑specific factor.
9. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Propelled by well‑balanced performance across socioeconomic conditions, quality of life, and community indicators, with no individually cited ranking rationale.
10. Boise, Idaho: Based on its overall strength across the 17 measures RentCafe uses to evaluate livability, although the report did not specify individual factors behind its placement.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: San Francisco ranked most livable metro in California, survey finds
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
