13 Richest Retirement Towns in California

It probably comes as no surprise that California hosts some of the richest retirement towns in America.

Based on new research from GOBankingRates, in fact, 13 of the 50 richest retirement towns are in the Golden State. No. 1 on the entire list is Saratoga, California, where the median income is $241,348.

Check out the rest of the California cities on the list of the richest retirement towns.

• Population 65+ (%): 25.9%
• Median household income: $241,348
• Livability: 81

• Population 65+ (%): 26.0%
• Median household income: $175,307
• Livability: 58

• Population 65+ (%): 27.8%
• Median household income: $140,508
• Livability: 66

• Population 65+ (%): 29.0%
• Median household income: $135,665
• Livability: 77

• Population 65+ (%): 25.3%
• Median household income: $133,953
• Livability: 74

• Population 65+ (%): 25.5%
• Median household income: $111,332
• Livability: 57

• Population 65+ (%): 49.9%
• Median household income: $109,943
• Livability: 49

• Population 65+ (%): 27.2%
• Median household income: $108,108
• Livability: 67

• Population 65+ (%): 28.9%
• Median household income: $105,568
• Livability: 84

• Population 65+ (%): 26.5%
• Median household income: $103,504
• Livability: 66

• Population 65+ (%): 25.7%
• Median household income: $103,258
• Livability: 77

• Population 65+ (%): 25.3%
• Median household income: $97,786
• Livability: 56

• Population 65+ (%): 31.1%
• Median household income: $97,628
• Livability: 57

Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities to find the richest retirement towns. First, GOBankingRates found cities with populations above 15,000 and population percentages for 65+ age range of 25% or higher, as sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. With these 142 cities isolated, the total households, population ages 65 and higher and household median income were also sourced from the American Community Survey for each location. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes. The cities were sorted to show the highest median household income, representing the “richest” cities. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Feb. 4, 2025.