The Golden State doesn’t come cheap — but these 10 cities come closer.

As the cost of living soars and residents flee for places like Tennessee or Texas, cities all across California are becoming a bit more affordable. The Post recently reported that the state’s luxury housing saw million-dollar homes flying off the market.

Last month, the report from Realtor.com found that four California metros topped charts with the largest year-over-year drops in luxury home prices.

Well, another new report is in and making those sticking around the Bear State even happier as it has revealed 10 of the cheapest cities in California that won’t entirely break your wallet. 

The report from Houzeo, a home buying and selling platform, proved the California dream might be easier to achieve than you think.

The data comes from analyzing hundreds of cities and comparing them with the median home prices, median rent and overall cost of living.

Six spending categories were covered, according to the site: housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

1. Porterville

Taking the top spot for the most affordable city in California to live in is a place you might not have heard of — Porterville. The city is the primary economic hub of the Southern Sierra foothills and a gateway to the Sequoia National Forest. 

The average home price in this charming area is $325,000 while the median rent price is just $1,358. Data found that Porterville is 12% less costly than the state’s average.

Residents are along Highway 65 and near Highway 99 — which runs 425 miles long through the Central Valley and connecting Bakersfield to Red Bluff. It also offers easy access to the neighbouring towns like Tulare County.

Jobs are largely driven service and community rather than industrial which means folks typically make a steady income by working in agriculture, healthcare and education.

2. Fresno

Coming in at number two is Fresno. The average home price here is $388,567 while the median rent price is $1,975. One of the big inland cities in the state, residents are close to tons of nature like Woodward Park and Roeding Park, farms and mountain views.

It’s also located on Highway 99 and is close to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

The job market is diverse and very much powered by tech, agriculture and healthcare. Some of the major employers found here are Apple, Kaiser Permanente and the University of California system.

3. Bakersfield

Bakersfield secured the third spot as the average home prices are a steady $441,009. Rent is typically $1,995 and considered to be a super affordable area.

Popular neighborhoods like Seven Oaks are modern and upscale with spiffy golf courses and great schools. Stockdale Estates is another nice spot to reside as residents can easily score large lots and beautifully old trees.

The job market is quite steady also with some of the larger employers including Chevron, Grimmway Farms, and Kern Medical.

4. Tulare

Taking the fourth spot is Tulare where the average home prices are not far behind Bakersfield at $458,693. The median rent is actually cheaper, coming in at just $1,650. 

The affordable city is in the Central Valley with a small-town feel. Each February, the city holds the World Ag Expo for farmers across the country where 1,200 exhibitors show off their cutting-edge technology and equipment.

Residents can find a quieter place in Alpine Vista or Del Lago where the job market caters to agriculture, food processing and retail.

5. Eureka

Coming in at number five is Eureka where folks can get an average home for $418,081 and rent is just $1,600. The city is close enough to gorgeous beaches like King Salmon Beach just five short miles away. 

The Samoa Dunes Recreation Area is also nearby, spanning 300-acres across the bridge on the Samoa Peninsula.

Residents have a stable job market with careers in healthcare, schools and government as big employers include St. Joseph Hospital and Humboldt County.

The last five of the list topping the 10 most affordable cities in California:

• Visalia – average home price at $511,736
• Stockton – average home price at $317,272
• Chico – average home price at $340,290
• Sacramento – average home price at $385,163
• Clovis – average home price at $479,880

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