Catalina 59 Below average
Catalina Livability #200 ranked city in Arizona#20,345 ranked city in the USARanks better than 30% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Catalina

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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Catalina?

Catalina, Arizona is a small city with a population of 6,915 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (90% White). Given that fact, Catalina could be considered less diverse than other cities. Based on an average age of 56, Catalina appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above the national average. 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 Catalina offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 34 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Catalina, Arizona could be a good 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. The best areas in Catalina and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from commute, health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Arizona and national averages.

Catalina, AZ receives 56/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #228 in Arizona and #22,148 in the USA. This is a lower than the national average livability score as Catalina does not rank well for most categories. For each of the livability categories, we know that Catalina ranks very well for cost of living (A-), employment (B-) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Catalina does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The unemployment rate in Catalina has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.6%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Catalina excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Catalina 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 Catalina. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Catalina are simply unattainable. The median home price for Catalina homes is $317,449, which is 1.9% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Catalina, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 12.2% lower than the Arizona average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Catalina

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Compare Catalina, AZ Livability

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      Catalina transportation information

      Statistic Catalina Arizona National
      Average one way commute34min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.7%76.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.7%10.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%2.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.9%2.0%2.8%
      Working from home7.9%5.7%4.6%
      Source: The Catalina, AZ 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.