Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
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.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
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
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
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.
Located in the state of California, Cottonwood is a smaller city with a population of 5,564 people. At 87%, the majority of the Cottonwood population is White; this is followed by 2% Asian and 2% American Indian and Alaskan. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Cottonwood your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 27 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Cottonwood is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great 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. Finding the best places to live in Cottonwood and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, health & safety, education and other important metrics.
Cottonwood, CA receives 64/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #420 in California and #12,962 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Cottonwood ranks well for employment (A-) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Cottonwood ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Cottonwood has an unemployment rate of 0.9% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
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, Cottonwood has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Cottonwood are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Cottonwood come in at $381,003, which is 47.9% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Cottonwood, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 49.4% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Cottonwood | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 86.9% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.6% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.5% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.7% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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