San Clemente 63 Average
San Clemente Livability #464 ranked city in California#15,766 ranked city in the USARanks better than 46% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in San Clemente

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in San Clemente?

San Clemente, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 66,681 residents. With a population density of 3,633 people per square mile, San Clemente is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of San Clemente residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. An important consideration when living in San Clemente is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 30 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in San Clemente could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in San Clemente and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, commute, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

The livability score in San Clemente is 63 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 49th percentile of all cities across America. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that San Clemente has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A-) and education (A-). On a less positive note, San Clemente does not have favorable ranks for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of San Clemente, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 183 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

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 San Clemente is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in San Clemente come in at $1,678,025, which is 129.3% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In San Clemente, the home price to income ratio is 10.3, which is 33.8% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around San Clemente

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How Do You Rate The Livability In San Clemente?

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Compare San Clemente, CA Livability

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      San Clemente transportation information

      Statistic San Clemente California National
      Average one way commute30min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.9%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home16.0%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The San Clemente, 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.