Gardena 60 Below average
Gardena Livability #604 ranked city in California#19,337 ranked city in the USARanks better than 33% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Gardena

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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Gardena?

Gardena, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 61,310 inhabitants. In Gardena, there are 10,518 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Gardena identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 33% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. 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 Gardena is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 29 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Gardena could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Gardena and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Gardena to California and the national average.

Using data and statistics Gardena has received a livability score of 62 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 44th percentile when compared to all other cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Gardena ranks very well for employment (A-) and housing (B-). Gardena does not rank well for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The unemployment rate in Gardena has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.4%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Gardena excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

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 Gardena is real estate affordability. The median home price for Gardena homes is $932,021, which is 27.4% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Gardena, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.8, which is 27.3% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Gardena

See all the best places to live around Gardena

How Do You Rate The Livability In Gardena?

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Compare Gardena, CA Livability

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      Gardena transportation information

      Statistic Gardena California National
      Average one way commute29min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.9%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.1%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Gardena, 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.