Livability Score

71
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (8) B
South Pine Cafe
Coffee Shop
Carolines Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
Unknown Name
Coffee Shop
Fabble Coffee
Coffee Shop
Durga's Divine Café
Coffee Shop
Valentina's Organic Bistro & Bakery
Coffee Shop
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Unknown Name
Coffee Shop
Broad Street Bistro & Gallery
Coffee Shop
Elixart
Coffee Shop
Java John's
Coffee Shop
The Curly Wolf Espresso House
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (8) A+
Sierra Cinemas
Cinema
Art Gallery & Photo Restoration
Art Gallery
Prosperity Lanes
Bowling Alley
Del Oro Theater
Cinema
Litton Building
Theatre Arts
Bourn Cottage
Attraction
Unknown Name
Cinema
North Star Museum
Museum
Unknown Name
Theatre Arts
Unknown Name
Museum
Nevada County Narrow Guage Railroad Museum
Museum
Deer Creek Suspension Bridge
Attraction
American Victorian Museum
Museum
Nevada Theatre
Theatre Arts
Unknown Name
Theatre Arts
Bandshell Amphitheater
Theatre Arts
Firehouse Number 1 Museum
Museum
Food and Drink (19) D-
Big A's Drive In
Fast Food
Grass Valley Brewing
Bar
Long's Bottle Shop
Alcohol
Unknown Name
Fast Food
Gary's Place
Bar
Pine Street Burgers
Fast Food
Domino's
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
El Favorito Taqueria
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
Panda Express
Fast Food
Taco Bell
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
KFC
Fast Food
Jamba Juice
Fast Food
Carl's Jr.
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Little Caesars
Fast Food
Unknown Name
Fast Food
Jernigan's Tap House & Grill
Bar
Bonanza Market
Alcohol
McGees
Bar
Nevada City Chocolate Shoppe
Sweets
National Bar
Bar
Treats
Sweets
Fitness (3) F
Unknown Name
Gym
Anytime Fitness
Gym
Training Zone
Gym
Unknown Name
Gym
Banner Grange
Community Centre
Seaman's Lodge
Community Centre
Groceries (13) A+
Natural Selection
Grocery Store
Emily's Catering & Cakes
Bakery
BackPorch Market
Grocery Store
Corvus Gluten Free Bakery
Bakery
Safeway
Grocery Store
Flour Garden Bakery - Neal Street
Bakery
Briar Patch Food Co-Op
Grocery Store
Grocery Outlet
Grocery Store
Dollar General Market
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Raley's
Grocery Store
Target
Grocery Store
SPD Market
Grocery Store
California Organics
Grocery Store
SPD
Grocery Store
Spring Street Market
Bakery
Parks (9) B
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Memorial Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Devere Mautino Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Condon Park
Park
Empire Mine State Historic Park
Park
Empire Mine State Historic Park
Park
Empire Mine State Historic Park
Park
Watt Park
Park
Nevada County Fairgrounds
Park
Hirschman's Pond
Park
Calanan Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Pioneer Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Tobiassen Park
Park
Sugarloaf Mountain
Park
Shops (58) A+
Robinson
Convenience Store
Hills Flat Lumber
Home Improvement
Remax Gold
Hairdresser
Sunchild's Parlour
Fashion
RE/MAX
Books
his + hers
Fashion
Tribal Weaver
Fashion
Unknown Name
Books
76
Convenience Store
Forever Vivid Salon
Beauty
Tess' Kitchen Store
Houseware
Mill Street Sock Company
Fashion
Booktown Books
Books
Serendipity
Fashion
Empire Shoes
Shoes
Yuba Blue
Clothing
Unknown Name
Gift Shop
Junk in the Trunk
Gift Shop
Bamboo Home Store
Clothing
La Te Da
Clothing
Salon 174
Beauty
Christian Science Reading Room
Books
Mint
Clothing
Stucki Jewelers Inc.
Fashion
Lost and Found
Fashion
See more Grass Valley amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 0.0% take public transportation in Grass Valley.
Public Transit Stops (9)
Stops & Stations A+
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Tinloy Transfer Station
Bus Station
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Route 7
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
0.0% F
See more Grass Valley commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in Grass Valley is 127/100 - which is 9% lower than California.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax F
See more Grass Valley cost of living data

crime F

Grass Valley crime rates are 4,196 per 100k, which is 48% higher than California
Property Crime
2,951 crimes per 100k F
Violent Crime
1,245 crimes per 100k F
See more Grass Valley crime data

employment D+

The median income in Grass Valley is $42,477 - which is 33% lower than California.
Med. Household Income
$42,477 F
Unemployment Rate
1.3% A+
See more Grass Valley employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (13)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
Grass Valley Police Department
Police
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
Hospital
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
Hospital
LHI COVID Testing
Clinic
Unknown Name
Dentist
Station 2
Fire Station
Grass Valley Extended Care
Doctor
Grass Valley Fire Station #2
Fire Station
Training Area
Fire Station
Rite Aid
Pharmacy
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Yubadocs Urgent Care
Clinic
GNC
Pharmacy
Unknown Name
Fire Station
Unknown Name
Fire Station
Unknown Name
Police
Air Quality
Median Air Quality C
See more Grass Valley health & safety data

housing C+

Grass Valley home prices are $343,300 - which is 16% lower than California
Home Price
$343,300 A+
Home Appreciation Rate
26% A+
Home Affordability
8.1x (home price to income ratio) F
See more Grass Valley housing data

schools C

The Grass Valley graduation rate is 86% - which is 8% higher than California
School Test Scores
47% F
High School Grad. Rates
86% B-
Elementary Schools (19) F
Bell Hill Academy
Grass Valley Charter
Mount St Marys Academy
Early Childhood Education
Lyman Gilmore Middle
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary
Grass Valley Preschool
Echo Ridge Christian School
Union Hill Elementary
Deer Creek Elementary
Seven Hills Intermediate
Nevada County Special Education
Nevada City Preschool
Nevada City Charter
Twin Ridges Home Study Charter
Forest Charter
Sugarloaf Mountain Juvenile Hall Program
Yuba River Charter
Oakhaven Montessori School
High Schools (11) C-
Charis Youth Center
William & Marian Ghidotti High
Sierra Academy Of Expeditionary Learning
Bitney Prep High
Silver Springs High (Continuation)
Nu Tech High
Nevada Union High
North Point Academy
Earle Jamieson Educational Options
Nevada County Special Education
John Muir Charter
John Muir Charter
Forest Charter
Sugarloaf Mountain Juvenile Hall Program
Sierra Academy Of Expeditionary Learning
See more Grass Valley education data

ratings B-

Grass Valley has an overall rating of 68% from 20 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes B
User Surveys (17)
From AreaVibes D+
See more Grass Valley user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Grass Valley, CA Area Guide

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Photo of Grass Valley, CA
( 20 Ratings )

Living in Grass Valley, CA

Ranks better than 71% of areas Follow

Grass Valley Area Facts

  • Grass Valley has a Livability Score of 71/100, which is considered excellent
  • Grass Valley crime rates are 48% higher than the California average
  • Cost of living in Grass Valley is 9% lower than the California average

What do the locals think about Grass Valley?

Based on 17 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll
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Grass Valley Reviews

Write a review about Grass Valley Tell people what you like or don't like about Grass Valley…
A Wonderful School 5 rating By Anonymous ( Sep 22, 2022) Everything and everyone here is amazing. This article is bs. I don't know what you are talking about. Some of my classmates are taking 11th grade math as 9th graders. Our classes are AP level and we take college classes. ...Read More Read Less
Not what it used to be.... 2.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 01, 2021) My husband and I always camped up in the town of Washington, just outside of Grass Valley. Our family enjoyed many trips and all seasons coming up here from the East Bay Area. Both my husband and I were born and raised in the East Bay, and wanted a slower pace of life, better sch ...Read More ools and a smaller community. We literally planned to retire here.
Fast forward to 2013, he was given a transfer position to the area. We were so excited. I was able to telecommute so it worked out perfectly. Magnolia Middle School was where our daughter began attending and she loved it. She really excelled there! And once she entered Bear River High she really enjoyed it.
Even though our home is located in south Alta Sierra neighborhood, we have 6+ acres, beautiful custom homes and great neighbors. But after having lived here, we are noticing this idyllic town is no longer what it used to be. Crime is rising, the amount of homeless population is growing, and we’ve lost so many wonderful family owned businesses to the pandemic. In order to do any ‘real’ shopping, it’s always a trip into Auburn, Rocklin or Roseville. There are no home improvement stores here, unless you want to pay a mint to go to Hills Flat Lumber or B&C. No real clothing stores, just boutiques that again, can be expensive. And gas and fast food is noticeably higher here than in Auburn.
I can say that our home location puts us exactly in the same distance to north Auburn or downtown Grass Valley. However, we cannot get good internet, any type of food delivery or good takeout.
We have now decided to leave the area (and the state) altogether. Read Less
Nice City Full Of Diversity 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 23, 2018) Living in Grass Valley, CA was a great experience for my family and I. This city falls between Sacarmento and Reno, NV, which is a city full of fun and casinos, we were able to travel back and forth in between cities. We had family in Sacramento and we travel to Reno, NV for fun. ...Read More For some reason this city has a higher than average cost of living compared to many other cities around California. There is also a wide range of diversity within the city.

The best places in Grass Valley, CA was the diverse range of restaurants offered. Some of my favorite places were South Pine Cafe service American Traditional Foods, Diego’s Restaurant and Ramen On Main Street. Most of the restaurants are found on or around Main Street. I thought the weather was nice, but some days it was hotter than others and very dry. If you don’t mind the heat than this city is very tolerable. Read Less
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Nice City Full Of Diversity 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 23, 2018) Living in Grass Valley, CA was a great experience for my family and I. This city falls between Sacarmento and Reno, NV, which is a city full of fun and casinos, we were able to travel back and forth in between cities. We had family in Sacramento and we travel to Reno, NV for fun. ...Read More For some reason this city has a higher than average cost of living compared to many other cities around California. There is also a wide range of diversity within the city.

The best places in Grass Valley, CA was the diverse range of restaurants offered. Some of my favorite places were South Pine Cafe service American Traditional Foods, Diego’s Restaurant and Ramen On Main Street. Most of the restaurants are found on or around Main Street. I thought the weather was nice, but some days it was hotter than others and very dry. If you don’t mind the heat than this city is very tolerable. Read Less

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Compare Grass Valley, CA Livability

      vs

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Grass Valley? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name
      Memorial Park
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name
      Devere Mautino Park
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name

      Entertainment

      Sierra Cinemas
      Art Gallery & Photo Restoration
      Prosperity Lanes
      Del Oro Theater
      Litton Building
      Bourn Cottage
      Unknown Name
      North Star Museum

      Food & Drink

      Big A's Drive In
      Grass Valley Brewing
      Long's Bottle Shop
      Unknown Name
      Gary's Place
      Pine Street Burgers
      Domino's
      Jack in the Box

      B+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Grass Valley? Of all people who commute, 0.0% take public transportation in Grass Valley.
      Drive to Work
      71%

      5% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      0%

      5% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      6%

      3% higher than the US average

      F Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Grass Valley? The cost of living in Grass Valley is 127/100 - which is 9% lower than California.
      Grass Valley
      127

      27% more expensive than average

      California
      140

      40% more expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      F Crime

      What is the crime rate in Grass Valley? Grass Valley crime rates are 4,196, which are 48% higher than California
      Total Crime
      4,196 per 100k people

      81% higher than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 24

      81% higher than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      19%

      Year over year crime is up

      D+ Employment

      What is the median income in Grass Valley? The median income in Grass Valley is $42,477 which is 33% lower than California.
      Median household income
      $42,47723% lower than the US average
      Income per capita
      $31,5096% higher than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      1%

      72% lower than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Grass Valley a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
      Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      Rite Aid
      GNC

      Doctors

      Grass Valley Extended Care

      C+ Housing

      What are Grass Valley home prices? Grass Valley home prices are $343,300 - which is 16% lower than California
      Median home value
      $343,30086% higher than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,04610% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      38%

      39% lower than the US average

      C Schools

      Does Grass Valley have good schools? The Grass Valley graduation rate is 86% - which is 8% higher than California
      High school grad. rates
      86%

      4% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      47%

      3% lower than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      18:1

      13% higher than the US average

      B- User Ratings

      Is Grass Valley a good place to live? Grass Valley has an overall rating of 68% from 20 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      68%

      20 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      73%

      3 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      57%

      17 total surveys

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