Concord, CA, United States

With a population of 125,410, Concord is a sprawling suburban hub in the San Francisco Bay Area. The tax burden is heavy, as the median household income of $109,195 is offset by the region's sky-high cost of living. While the climate is pleasant, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, from the city's ongoing negotiations over the Concord Naval Weapons Station redevelopment to the challenges of public transit. For those seeking an affordable alternative to San Francisco's exorbitant rents, Concord offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle, but the tradeoffs in higher costs and administrative hassles may not suit all.