OC City Named 'Best Place To Live' In U.S., Per Money Report

IRVINE, CA — Two Southern California cities are some of the best places to settle down in the United States, according to a new report published by Money.

In the report, researchers scoured the country to find the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023, with two Southern California cities making the coveted list.

In Southern California, Irvine ranked as #13 followed by San Diego, which placed at #22.

The ranks were determined with a variety of factors in mind, including the number of economic opportunities, quality of life, overall diversity and the city's future trajectory.

According to the report, Irvine is a bustling community that offers an excellent range of job, school, community and entertainment opportunities. There's plenty for residents in the area to do, including world-class shopping and dining at nearby malls including the Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, the report said.

The city also has accessible access to over 60 public parks and 400 miles of bike trails.

According to Money researchers, Irvine's school system is ranked among the best in California thanks to its excellent universities, including UC Irvine, which ranked 5th on Money's list of the Best Colleges in California and 9th overall for the 25 Best Colleges in America.

Quick facts about Irvine, per Money's report:

• Median household income: $115,606.
• Median home price: $1,300,651.
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $4,345.
• Population – 268,777.
• Unemployment rate: 2.8%.

San Diego, known as "America's Finest City," boasts world-class beaches, a thriving downtown, temperate year-long weather and a laid-back lifestyle, the report said.

For residents in the area, there are countless things to do. From Balboa Park — the 1,000-acre complex that houses the San Diego Zoo, 15 museums, a horticultural center and more — to the city's coast, where locals can enjoy kayaking, fishing, surfing, whale watching and more, San Diego has no end of activities.

The city is home to an excellent school system, including the University of California San Diego, which was ranked 7th on Money’s list of the 10 Best Colleges in California and 12th for the 25 Best Colleges in America.

Quick facts about San Diego, according to Money:

• Median household income: $96,246
• Median home price: $963,261
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,113
• Population – 1,381,275
• Unemployment rate: 3.1%

To learn more about the top places to live in the United States, view the full report on Money's website.