California City 44 Poor
California City Livability #1,337 ranked city in California#26,687 ranked city in the USARanks better than 8% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in California City

PROS
  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

  • Schools Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

What's it like Living in California City?

California City, California is a mid-sized city with a population of 14,506 inhabitants. With a population density of 71 people per square mile, California City is about average when compared to the nation's average density level. California City is mostly populated by White (52%) and Black or African American (26%) ethnic groups. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of California City are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 24% of the population also speak Spanish. In California City, only 49% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. An important consideration when living in California City 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 43 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in California City is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around California City, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, housing and more.

California City has a livability score of 46/100 and is ranked #1,287 in California and #26,475 in the USA. This is a lower than the United States average livability score as California City does not rank well for most categories. This city has also earned the dubious distinction of of being ranked among the bottom 10 percent of all US cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, California City has received high marks for housing (A+). On a less positive note, California City does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The California City market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that California City meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in California City. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in California City are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in California City come in at $282,447, which is 61.4% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In California City, the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 48.1% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around California City

See all the best places to live around California City

How Do You Rate The Livability In California City?

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      California City transportation information

      Statistic California City California National
      Average one way commute43min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.9%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.8%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.9%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home11.0%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The California City, 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.