Fullerton 67 Good
Fullerton Livability #328 ranked city in California#11,149 ranked city in the USARanks better than 61% of areas
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Fullerton, CA - The Education Community

Fullerton, CA, known as 'The Education Community,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Orange County, Fullerton is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Anaheim (7 miles) and Santa Ana (10 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Fullerton's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Fullerton is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Fullerton Arboretum, the historic Fox Theatre, and the scenic Laguna Lake Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Hillcrest Park to the bustling Downtown Fullerton, known for its shopping and dining. Fullerton's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Fullerton Market and the Day of Music Fullerton highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Fullerton's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like California State University, Fullerton contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Fullerton is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center and the Fullerton Museum Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Fullerton provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Fullerton’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) and the Anaheim Ducks (NHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Fullerton include healthcare, education, and retail, with significant employers such as St. Jude Medical Center and Fullerton School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.

Pros and Cons of Living in Fullerton

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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.

  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in Fullerton?

Fullerton is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 146,103 residents. With a population density of 6,513 people per square mile, Fullerton is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Fullerton identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 24% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. 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 Fullerton entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 31 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Fullerton, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Fullerton, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, employment, housing and more.

Fullerton, CA receives 67/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #313 in California and #9,618 in the USA. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Fullerton ranks well for amenities (B-) and employment (A+). The bad news for Fullerton, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (D) and cost of living (F).

Assuming that Fullerton 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 Fullerton. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Fullerton are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Fullerton come in at $1,175,689, which is 60.7% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fullerton, the home price to income ratio is 9.4, which is 22.1% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fullerton

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      Fullerton transportation information

      Statistic Fullerton California National
      Average one way commute31min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.0%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.2%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.7%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.4%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home5.4%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Fullerton, 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.