Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your California home? If you’re considering a job change, understanding the local job market is crucial. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of California cities with the lowest unemployment rates, indicating strong job availability in 2026.
Many residents end up in their current locations due to job opportunities, and for those looking to relocate to California, the strength of the job market is a significant factor. Whether you’re pursuing a fresh start or a new job within your community, knowing where the job opportunities are can make all the difference.
We analyzed data from the Census Bureau to identify cities with robust employment rates. We focused on cities with populations exceeding 10,000 to ensure relevance and reliability in our findings.
- Palos Verdes Estates(Jobs)
- Mill Valley(Jobs)
- Los Altos(Jobs)
- San Marino(Jobs)
- La Ca単ada Flintridge
- Piedmont(Jobs)
- Rancho Santa Margarita(Jobs)
- Burlingame(Jobs)
- Dublin(Jobs)
- Menlo Park(Jobs)
For employers, a low unemployment rate signals a thriving community, making Palos Verdes Estates the top choice in California for job seekers and businesses alike.
Continue reading to learn how we identified these cities with the healthiest job markets in California.
For more comprehensive job information in California, check out:
How We Determined the Cities in California with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To pinpoint California’s most employed cities, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000 and reviewed the latest unemployment data from the American Community Survey.
We analyzed 375 locations, ranking them based on their unemployment rates to identify the top contenders for low unemployment. This ranking reflects the job market’s potential for individuals considering local, interstate, or intercity job transfers.
In cases of ties, preference was given to the larger city. If your city isn’t among the top ten, scroll to the end of this post for a detailed list.
1. Palos Verdes Estates
Population: 13,568
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%
Palos Verdes Estates leads our list with an impressive unemployment rate of 2.1%, showcasing its strength as a top contender in the job market.
Its residents enjoy the perks of consistent job opportunities and community stability.
2. Mill Valley
Population: 14,178
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Mill Valley comes in second with a solid unemployment rate of 2.9%, proving it’s a reliable place for job seekers.
3. Los Altos
Population: 29,762
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
Los Altos rounds out the top three with a competitive unemployment rate of 4.0%, making it an attractive option for those seeking employment.
4. San Marino
Population: 13,294
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
San Marino ties with Los Altos at a 4.0% unemployment rate, solidifying its status as a desirable location for job seekers in California.
5. La Ca単ada Flintridge
Population: 20,477
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
La Ca単ada Flintridge secures the fifth spot with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, a testament to its thriving job market.
6. Piedmont
Population: 10,957
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
Piedmont also boasts a 4.2% unemployment rate, making it a strong contender for those looking to settle in a supportive job market.
7. Rancho Santa Margarita
Population: 48,758
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Rancho Santa Margarita arrives at the seventh position with a 4.3% unemployment rate, indicating a healthy job environment.
8. Burlingame
Population: 29,618
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
Burlingame follows closely with a matching unemployment rate of 4.3%, offering ample opportunities for job seekers.
9. Dublin
Population: 49,694
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Dublin maintains a solid unemployment rate of 4.5%, ensuring a vibrant job market for its residents.
10. Menlo Park
Population: 32,792
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Menlo Park, also at 4.5%, rounds out the top ten list, showcasing its competitive job market.
Even at the bottom of this list, Menlo Park is among the top 375 cities for employment in California.
Summary of Unemployment Across California
In conclusion, these ten cities in California present the lowest unemployment rates, reflecting strong job opportunities and community health. If you’re contemplating a move to California, these cities are excellent choices for job seekers.
For those looking for further insights on employment in various cities and states across the U.S., visit Zippia for all your questions. Recent graduates exploring relocation should also check out which states college grads tend to stay in.
Additionally, here’s a glance at areas in California with the highest unemployment rates:
- Mendota
- California City
- Adelanto
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in California
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Palos Verdes Estates | 1 | 2.1% |
| Mill Valley | 2 | 2.9% |
| Los Altos | 3 | 4.0% |
| San Marino | 4 | 4.0% |
| La Ca単ada Flintridge | 5 | 4.2% |
| Piedmont | 6 | 4.2% |
| Rancho Santa Margarita | 7 | 4.3% |
| Burlingame | 8 | 4.3% |
| Dublin | 9 | 4.5% |
| Menlo Park | 10 | 4.5% |
| Atascadero | 11 | 4.7% |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | 12 | 4.7% |
| Palo Alto | 13 | 5.0% |
| Manhattan Beach | 14 | 5.1% |
| Monterey | 15 | 5.1% |
| Livermore | 16 | 5.1% |
| San Ramon | 17 | 5.1% |
| Los Gatos | 18 | 5.1% |
| Campbell | 19 | 5.1% |
| Pacific Grove | 20 | 5.2% |
| Saratoga | 21 | 5.3% |
| Redwood City | 22 | 5.3% |
| Hercules | 23 | 5.3% |
| Ripon | 24 | 5.3% |
| Hermosa Beach | 25 | 5.4% |
| Orinda | 26 | 5.4% |
| Arroyo Grande | 27 | 5.5% |
| Coronado | 28 | 5.5% |
| Pleasanton | 29 | 5.5% |
| Cypress | 30 | 5.5% |
| Scotts Valley | 31 | 5.5% |
| Solana Beach | 32 | 5.6% |
| Lafayette | 33 | 5.6% |
| Poway | 34 | 5.6% |
| Moraga | 35 | 5.6% |
| Goleta | 36 | 5.6% |
| Seal Beach | 37 | 5.7% |
| Sierra Madre | 38 | 5.7% |
| San Rafael | 39 | 5.7% |
| Lake Forest | 40 | 5.7% |
| Larkspur | 41 | 5.8% |
| Hillsborough | 42 | 5.9% |
| Millbrae | 43 | 5.9% |
| San Clemente | 44 | 6.0% |
| Pacifica | 45 | 6.0% |
| Santa Barbara | 46 | 6.0% |
| Mountain View | 47 | 6.1% |
| San Marcos | 48 | 6.1% |
| Capitola | 49 | 6.1% |
| South El Monte | 50 | 6.1% |
| Laguna Woods | 51 | 6.1% |
| Calabasas | 52 | 6.2% |
| Buena Park | 53 | 6.2% |
| San Luis Obispo | 54 | 6.2% |
| Santa Clara | 55 | 6.2% |
| Davis | 56 | 6.3% |
| Irvine | 57 | 6.4% |
| Santa Fe Springs | 58 | 6.4% |
| Healdsburg | 59 | 6.4% |
| Newark | 60 | 6.4% |
| Folsom | 61 | 6.4% |
| Pinole | 62 | 6.4% |
| Albany | 63 | 6.4% |
| Fremont | 64 | 6.4% |
| Emeryville | 65 | 6.5% |
| Pleasant Hill | 66 | 6.5% |
| Cerritos | 67 | 6.5% |
| San Mateo | 68 | 6.5% |
| Artesia | 69 | 6.5% |
| Madera | 70 | 6.5% |
| Vista | 71 | 6.5% |
| Walnut Creek | 72 | 6.6% |
| Danville | 73 | 6.6% |
| Redondo Beach | 74 | 6.6% |
| San Bruno | 75 | 6.6% |
| Novato | 76 | 6.6% |
| Belmont | 77 | 6.6% |
| Arcadia | 78 | 6.6% |
| Aliso Viejo | 79 | 6.6% |
| Alhambra | 80 | 6.7% |
| El Segundo | 81 | 6.7% |
| Newport Beach | 82 | 6.7% |
| San Carlos | 83 | 6.8% |
| Encinitas | 84 | 6.8% |
| Loma Linda | 85 | 6.8% |
| San Francisco | 86 | 6.8% |
| Laguna Niguel | 87 | 6.8% |
| Foster City | 88 | 6.8% |
| Camarillo | 89 | 6.9% |
| Laguna Beach | 90 | 6.9% |
| Yorba Linda | 91 | 6.9% |
| Morro Bay | 92 | 6.9% |
| Sunnyvale | 93 | 6.9% |
| Petaluma | 94 | 6.9% |
| Walnut | 95 | 7.0% |
| Cupertino | 96 | 7.0% |
| Torrance | 97 | 7.0% |
| Mission Viejo | 98 | 7.1% |
| Carlsbad | 99 | 7.2% |
| Roseville | 100 | 7.2% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
