Hesperia 52 Poor
Hesperia Livability #1,024 ranked city in California#24,883 ranked city in the USARanks better than 15% of areas
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Hesperia, CA - The High Desert City

Hesperia, CA, known as 'The High Desert City,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in San Bernardino County, Hesperia is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like San Bernardino (35 miles) and Los Angeles (80 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Hesperia's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Hesperia is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Hesperia Lake Park, the historic Route 66 Museum, and the scenic Mojave River Forks Regional Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Silverwood Lake to the bustling Hesperia Civic Plaza Park, known for its community events. Hesperia's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Hesperia Days Parade and the High Desert Pirate Renaissance Faire highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Hesperia's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Victor Valley College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

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

Hesperia’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) in nearby Los Angeles, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Hesperia include retail, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as St. Mary Medical Center and the Hesperia Unified School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and rail services, making commuting convenient and accessible...

Pros and Cons of Living in Hesperia

PROS
  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • 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
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Hesperia?

Located in the state of California, Hesperia is a mid-sized city with a population of 98,419 residents. According to the most recent Census, 76% of Hesperia residents are White, 4% Black and 3% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Hesperia are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 31% of the population also speak Spanish. Hesperia could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 33 years old is below the nation’s average. An important consideration when living in Hesperia is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 42 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Hesperia 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. The best areas in Hesperia and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

With a livability score of 52/100, Hesperia is ranked #24,607 in the United States and #1,001 in California. This is a lower than the United States average livability score as Hesperia does not rank well for most categories. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Hesperia has higher than average scores for the following: housing (A+). Hesperia does not score well for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-), cost of living (F), education (F) and employment (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Hesperia market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Hesperia real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Hesperia. The median home price for Hesperia homes is $457,488, which is 37.5% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Hesperia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.7, which is 26% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Hesperia

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      Hesperia transportation information

      Statistic Hesperia California National
      Average one way commute42min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.4%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.4%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home6.1%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Hesperia, 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.