![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/depressed-senior-mature-retiree-woman-leans-head-on-window_iStock-1295813924.jpg\")
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GOBankingRates’ editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines<\/a> and our products and services review methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n 20 Years<\/strong> Trusted by<\/strong> California offers a lot to like, from mild weather to wild nature, hiking to beaches to wine. But the Golden State isn\u2019t all sunshine and rainbows for retirees<\/a>, either.\u00a0<\/p>\n Claire Kramer, who retired and moved to California a year ago, puts it succinctly: \u201cThe cost of living here is outrageous.\u201d Sure enough, U.S. News and World Report<\/a> ranks California worst in the country for cost of living.\u00a0<\/p>\n All too many retirees regret moving to California, for some compelling reasons<\/a>.<\/p>\n High Housing Costs<\/p>\n It comes as no surprise that housing costs so much<\/a> in California, with Zillow<\/a> reporting the average home price at $775,058.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n That statewide average masks the huge variance between cities however. Stockton homes average $440,749, while San Jose homebuyers pay an average of $1,414,393. Even that \u201caffordable\u201d example of Stockton costs 20% more than the national average.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel sorry for younger adults trying to afford a home here,\u201d adds Kramer. \u201cI don\u2019t know how they can afford to live here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n High Taxes<\/p>\n California imposes notoriously high taxes<\/a>, including income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes. In fact, WalletHub<\/a>\u2018s 2025 state tax rankings put California fourth highest in the nation.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs if the sky-high real estate prices weren\u2019t enough, the high property taxes make California housing even less affordable,\u201d notes financial planner Stuart Schiffman of Compound Wealth Advisors<\/a>, who helped Kramer plan her move to California.<\/p>\n High Homeowners Insurance Premiums<\/p>\n Moti Gamburg works with retirees in southern California through his company CARE Homecare<\/a>. Many of his clients end up moving back to lower-cost states, priced out by soaring homeowners insurance premiums<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOne retired couple I worked with had moved here to be closer to their adult children and bought a modest house outside of Los Angeles,\u201d Gamburg noted. \u201cUnfortunately, their homeowner\u2019s insurance doubled in two years.\u201d<\/p>\n High Crime Rate<\/p>\n For the high cost you pay to live there, you\u2019d expect low crime rates. And you\u2019d be wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n In fact, California ranks 45th in the nation for violent crime rates, according to U.S. News and World Report<\/a>. Worse, the Council for State Governments<\/a> reports that violent crime rates continue rising in California, even as nationwide rates are dropping.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Real estate expert Orin Sofrin of Eagle Cash Buyers<\/a> works with retirees both moving to and leaving California. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.gobankingrates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/icon-20.svg?webp=1&quality=75\"){kind=icon}
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