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Chula Vista, CA

Population: 260,598
livability score shield 67

Key findings

  • Chula Vista has a Livability Score of 67/100, which is considered average
  • Chula Vista crime rates are 42% lower than the California average
  • Cost of living in Chula Vista is equal to the California average
  • Chula Vista real estate prices are 2% lower than the California average
  • Rental prices in Chula Vista are 4% higher than the California average

Best Places to Live in and Around Chula Vista

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Compare Chula Vista, CA Livability

      vs

      What do the locals think about Chula Vista?

      64%Family friendly 64%Public transit is accessible 18%Walkable to grocery stores 64%Yards are well-kept 73%Lots of parks 27%Walkable to restaurants 36%Friendly neighbors 55%Safe at night 73%Pet friendly 64%Streets have sidewalks 64%A quiet area 45%Sense of community
      Based on 11 votes from AreaVibes users. See all Chula Vista poll results.

      Chula Vista Real estate & Rental prices

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      Chula Vista Demographics

      Population260,598 Median Age34.1 Have Kids (under 18)52%
      See more Chula Vista demographic data

      Chula Vista, CA

      Chula Vista is a city that has enjoyed significant growth in the recent past, and the city is currently home to over 270,000. This population size makes it one of the largest cities in San Diego County, and it gives the city a vibrant economy that is also blessed with rich soil for agricultural production. Chula Vista is a short 15 minute drive from San Diego making it a great option for those who work in the city but are looking for more affordable housing.

      Sharp Chula Medical Center is a world-class treatment center that employees a lot of local area residents. Scripps Memorial Hospital is another top area employers that is known for the quality of life that they provide to their workforce. Southwestern College is one of the city's top institutions of higher education, and they provide jobs to a large number of professors and staff. The average median income in Chula Vista is pretty high thanks to the large number of professionals that call the area home.

      As mentioned earlier, home prices in Chula Vista are cheaper than they are in other parts of San Diego County, but someone who is moving into the area from out of state may experience a little bit of sticker shock when they see the price to buy or rent a home. Eastlake, Eastlake Vistas, and Rancho Del Rey are a few of the nicest areas in town that most residents recommend to newcomers who are looking to put down roots. All of them offer easy access to shopping, transit, and entertainment.

      Speaking of transit, one of the nice parts about living in Chula Vista is the quick drive to San Diego via Interstate 5. Those who are looking to head south of the border down into Mexico can do so as well. In general, traffic is much lighter in Chula Vista than it is in other areas of California. Those who want to get around by bus or shuttle can do so on the public transit service that is operated by San Diego County.

      The San Diego Bay is the top attraction for those who are living in Chula Vista, and the Gas Lamp District is within easy driving or taxi distance from the city. In that area, you will find an amazing collection of fine dining, eclectic shops, and hip bars. Aquatica San Diego is a fun place to take the kids to escape the heat of the San Diego summers. The Living Coast Discovery Center lets you get up close and personnel with some of the underwater animals who call the area home. In general, Chula Vista offers California residents a high quality of life.

      Top Rated Schools in Chula Vista

      Name Grades Students Proficiency
      Salt Creek Elementary SchoolKG - 6945n/a
      Diego Springs AcademyKG - 122n/a
      Hawking S.T.E.A.M. CharterKG - 12460n/a
      San Diego VirtualKG - 12458n/a
      Rancho Del Rey Middle7 - 81,708n/a
      Pilgrim Lutheran SchoolPK - 886n/a
      Liberty Elementary SchoolKG - 6729n/a
      Kellogg (Karl H.) Elementary SchoolKG - 6327n/a
      See all Chula Vista schools

      The best places in California

      Here are the best places to live in CaliforniaTop 10 best public schools in Chula VistaThese are the 10 most affordable cities in CaliforniaTop 10 cities in California with the best education system

      Chula Vista Reviews

      Write a review about Chula Vista Tell people what you like or don't like about Chula Vista…
      Too crowded
      Attractions1/10
      Community3/10
      Nightlife1/10
      Dining1/10
      Shopping1/10
      Too crowded, bad traffic and road infrastructure, low flying air traffic from airport and the navy. Overbuilding with no planning. No employment. Bedroom community to San Diego. Goods and services subpar. Dangerous at night.
      • Stageld
      • Mar 05, 2017
      2 -1
      Chula Vista, California: Hip, Upbeat, and Fun
      Attractions7/10
      Community8/10
      Nightlife9/10
      Dining9/10
      Shopping6/10
      Out of all the California cities I visited when I worked there, Chula Vista was one of my favorite. The city is rich with diverse restaurants, offering everything you can imagine. The natural beauty surrounding the area is also breath-taking. I was fortunate to go on a bike ride on one of the trails in Chula Vista and fell in love. My friends and I also went kayaking at San Diego Bay and had some of the best times of our lives.

      I have visited other California cities, like San Bernadino and Santa Ana and have at times felt very unsafe. To be honest, I felt very safe in Chula Vista. I didn't see any random sketchy people, and overall I found people we dealt with to be very friendly. Now, that being said, some of my friends said all the crime happens at night in Chula Vista. But I suppose that could be with any state that has large metropolitan areas and cities.

      Overall, there is a very "environmental" and "open" feel to Chula Vista. Even with over 250,000 people, the community seems to care about the environment and it shows in the cleanliness of the city buildings and streets. I would not mind visiting the city of Chula Vista again.
      • Anonymous
      • May 05, 2010
      1 -1
      Source: The Chula Vista, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the 2016 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
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