Fountain Valley 64 Good
Fountain Valley Livability #397 ranked city in California#13,477 ranked city in the USARanks better than 54% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Fountain Valley

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Fountain Valley?

Located in the state of California, Fountain Valley is a medium-sized city with a population of 57,666 people. With a population density of 6,356 people per square mile, Fountain Valley is well above the nation's average density level. Individuals of White (51%) and Asian (37%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of Fountain Valley. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Fountain Valley is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 27 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Fountain Valley 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Fountain Valley and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Fountain Valley to California and the national average.

Fountain Valley has a livability score of 65 out of 100 and is ranked #397 in California and #12,351 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Fountain Valley ranks very well for crime (B), education (A) and employment (A+). On a more negative note, Fountain Valley does not have favorable ranks for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Fountain Valley, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 178 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Fountain Valley is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Fountain Valley come in at $1,390,451, which is 90% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fountain Valley, the home price to income ratio is 10.6, which is 37.7% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fountain Valley

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Fountain Valley?

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Compare Fountain Valley, CA Livability

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      Fountain Valley transportation information

      Statistic Fountain Valley California National
      Average one way commute27min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.1%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.4%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.4%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home6.7%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Fountain Valley, 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.