Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Mill Valley, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 14,823 people. In Mill Valley, there are 3,112 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Mill Valley is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. The Mill Valley population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 48, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Mill Valley offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 35 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Mill Valley, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Mill Valley, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, housing and more.
The livability score in Mill Valley is 87 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 99th percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Mill Valley would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Mill Valley ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Mill Valley has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A+), crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (B-). The bad news for Mill Valley, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (F).
Living in Mill Valley offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Mill Valley provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Mill Valley has a violent crime rate of 95 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
The Mill Valley unemployment rate of 1.4% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Mill Valley schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 79%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Mill Valley an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Mill Valley has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Mill Valley is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Mill Valley come in at $2,877,059, which is 293.2% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Mill Valley, the home price to income ratio is 11.2, which is 45.5% higher than the California average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Mill Valley | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 35min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 59.9% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 4.5% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 9.2% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.7% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.9% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 21.4% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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