Clearlake 60 Average
Clearlake Livability #574 ranked city in California#18,756 ranked city in the USARanks better than 35% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Clearlake

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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

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 Clearlake?

Clearlake, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 15,774 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (67% White). Given that fact, Clearlake could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Clearlake are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 19% of the population also speak Spanish. Clearlake is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 42% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Clearlake entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 31 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Clearlake 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Clearlake, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, employment, housing and more.

The livability score in Clearlake is 62 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 45th percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Clearlake ranks very well for cost of living (B) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Clearlake ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Clearlake apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Clearlake real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Clearlake. The median home price for Clearlake homes is $229,886, which is 68.6% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Clearlake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 44.2% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Clearlake

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      Clearlake transportation information

      Statistic Clearlake California National
      Average one way commute31min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work67.0%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.1%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home13.1%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Clearlake, 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.