Montecito 69 Good
Montecito Livability #260 ranked city in California#8,487 ranked city in the USARanks better than 71% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Montecito

PROS
  • Commute 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 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 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Cost Of Living 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Montecito?

Montecito is a small city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 8,465 people. According to the most recent Census, 87% of Montecito residents are White, 4% Asian and 1% Black. The Montecito population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 52, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Montecito is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Montecito is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in California, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like commute, education, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Montecito and in the areas around Montecito is a much easier task.

Montecito, CA receives 68/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #280 in California and #8,452 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Montecito has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A), education (B-) and employment (A+). The bad news for Montecito, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and housing (D).

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Montecito is real estate affordability. The median home price for Montecito homes is $3,640,995, which is 397.6% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Montecito, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 13.6, which is 76.6% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Montecito

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Montecito?

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Compare Montecito, CA Livability

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      Montecito transportation information

      Statistic Montecito California National
      Average one way commute18min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work56.2%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.4%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk13.1%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home22.4%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Montecito, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.