Top Cheap Cities in California with Friendly People and that don't have absurd crime statistics

I am looking for a city in California to relocate. I am not looking for anything in Los Angeles or San Francisco.

I don't mind the neighborhood, as long as its not a straight ghetto like some parts of Compton or expensive like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Examples of stuff I am considering, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Ocean Side.

Feel free to throw out any cities in Northern Nevada, Washington too.

6 Comments
 

Bakersfield, Fresno/Clovis, Sacramento, Modesto, etc. in the valley should be where to look. SLO isn't exactly cheap but is definitely cheaper than SF/LA. My ex-wife lived in the valley and to be completely honest, there aren't that many high-paying jobs and IB/PE/HF is non-existent.

 

I went to Cal Poly SLO and there isn't much job opportunity in finance (or high paying jobs in general). I did a few internships at no-name firms and tier 3ish firms because that's really all that exists. The city itself is great - it's a complete college town, you will meet people at the bars 4/5 days a week, but high-paying jobs are not common.

Sacramento is also an "up and coming town" even though I hate that term. There is definitely opportunity and it isn't too expensive. Pretty good location (to SF/Tahoe).

I personally don't like Fresno but I met quite a few people from Fresno in college and most of them seemed to love it.

 

SAC isn't too bad at all. Fresno is massive now but definitely doesn't have a lot of nice people. SAC is probably the best "cheap" area to get a finance job without having to live by the coast or LA/SF/SD.

 

I just want a job that pays about 45k and location where I can do my thing. I want rent to be under Under $1000 and under $900 if possible.

**How is my grammar? Drop me a note with any errors you see!**
 
Best Response

Ullam laboriosam harum architecto. Dolorum dolorem et perferendis autem corrupti dolorum. Quo sed omnis corporis iure cum aliquam delectus. Consequatur atque repudiandae enim laborum dignissimos nam. Minima a sit labore alias praesentium molestiae. Culpa nihil quisquam neque quo.

Neque et qui facere fuga. Aut sunt optio sit omnis in et. Praesentium voluptatibus sunt dignissimos temporibus rerum voluptatem laborum. Exercitationem inventore nihil voluptas repellat dicta mollitia quaerat.

Quaerat voluptate id odio sequi illo. Aliquid a qui eveniet. Est deleniti debitis harum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”