San Marino 76 Excellent
San Marino Livability #101 ranked city in California#3,563 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in San Marino

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • 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
  • 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 Marino?

San Marino, California is a mid-sized city with a population of 13,535 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,593 people per square mile, San Marino is well above the nation's average density level. If finding a family friendly city is important to you, look no further. With more than 71% of the population considered married and 42% with kids under the age of 18, San Marino could be considered a very suitable city for families. 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 San Marino offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in San Marino is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating 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. The best areas in San Marino and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

Using data and statistics San Marino has received a livability score of 75/100. This score is ranked in the 88th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, San Marino is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. San Marino scores well for crime (A+) and education (A+) San Marino does not do well for the following: amenities (D) and cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. San Marino gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 34 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that San Marino has an unemployment rate of 1.3% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that San Marino 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 88%, 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 San Marino an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in San Marino. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in San Marino are affordable. Median real estate prices in San Marino come in at $3,513,267, which is 380.2% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In San Marino, the home price to income ratio is 14.6, which is 89.6% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around San Marino

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      San Marino transportation information

      Statistic San Marino California National
      Average one way commute30min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.6%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.2%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.1%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home16.0%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The San Marino, 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.