California 56 Below average
California Livability #1,648 ranked city in Pennsylvania#22,817 ranked city in the USARanks better than 22% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in California

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in California?

California, Pennsylvania is a smaller city with a population of 6,484 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 85% of California residents are White, 10% Black and 0% Asian. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all California residents is 23. California is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 32% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in California. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in California, Pennsylvania could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in California and in the areas around California is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 57 out of 100, California is ranked #21,328 in the United States and #1,572 in Pennsylvania. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in California may not be a pleasant experience. For each of the livability categories, we know that California ranks very well for crime (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (B+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in California. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F), education (D) and employment (F).

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, California has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in California. 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 California are affordable. Median real estate prices in California come in at $201,811, which is 31.9% lower than the Pennsylvania average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In California, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.7% lower than the Pennsylvania average.

Best Places to Live in and Around California

See all the best places to live around California

How Do You Rate The Livability In California?

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Compare California, PA Livability

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      California transportation information

      Statistic California Pennsylvania National
      Average one way commute20min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work63.7%76.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.2%8.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.8%5.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk19.6%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.6%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The California, PA 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.