Imperial 67 Good
Imperial Livability #321 ranked city in California#10,866 ranked city in the USARanks better than 62% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Imperial

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Imperial?

Located in the state of California, Imperial is a medium-sized city with a population of 19,303 residents. Imperial has a population density of 3,290 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (72% White). Given that fact, Imperial could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Imperial are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 65% of the population also speak Spanish. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Imperial residents is 27. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Imperial. With an average one way commute time of only 21 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Imperial is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in California, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Imperial and in the areas around Imperial is a much easier task.

Imperial has a livability score of 69/100 and is ranked #256 in California and #7,907 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Imperial ranks well for crime (A+), employment (A-) and housing (A+) Regrettably for Imperial, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 77 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Imperial boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Imperial can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

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 Imperial is real estate affordability. The median home price for Imperial homes is $436,278, which is 40.4% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Imperial, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 53.2% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Imperial

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      Imperial transportation information

      Statistic Imperial California National
      Average one way commute21min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work89.0%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.6%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.2%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home1.5%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Imperial, 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.