California, MD, United States

With a population of nearly 13,000, this Maryland town is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of its namesake West Coast counterpart. The median household income of $85,240 may seem impressive, but the trade-off is a daily traffic nightmare on the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge - a reality that commuters to Washington, D.C. must face. While the area boasts a growing technology and defense sector, the community's historic roots in farming and fishing have given way to a rising class of long-distance city workers. If you can stomach the bureaucracy and congestion, California, MD might work for those seeking a more affordable alternative to the nation's capital.