Grass Valley 73 Excellent
Grass Valley Livability #152 ranked city in California#5,079 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Grass Valley

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

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

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

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 Grass Valley?

Grass Valley is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 13,311 residents. The majority of Grass Valley residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Grass Valley is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 45%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Grass Valley offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Grass Valley could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to search. 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 amenities, commute, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Grass Valley and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Grass Valley to California and the national average.

Using data and statistics Grass Valley has received a livability score of 71 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 79th percentile when compared to all other cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Grass Valley ranks very well for amenities (A+). Grass Valley does not score well for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Living in Grass Valley offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Grass Valley provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale.

The unemployment rate in Grass Valley has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.4%. 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.

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 Grass Valley is real estate affordability. The median home price for Grass Valley homes is $607,905, which is 16.9% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Grass Valley, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.7, which is 26% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Grass Valley

See all the best places to live around Grass Valley

How Do You Rate The Livability In Grass Valley?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Grass Valley, CA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Grass Valley transportation information

      Statistic Grass Valley California National
      Average one way commute16min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.4%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.0%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk6.2%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home8.3%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Grass 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.