McFarland 50 Poor
McFarland Livability #1,121 ranked city in California#25,530 ranked city in the USARanks better than 12% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in McFarland

PROS
  • 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.

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.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Schools Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.

What's it like Living in McFarland?

McFarland is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 13,633 inhabitants. In McFarland, there are 5,110 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 80% of McFarland residents are White, 1% Black and 0% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of McFarland are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 76% of the population also speak Spanish. With an average age of 27 years old, McFarland could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? McFarland offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in McFarland can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around McFarland, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing and more.

McFarland has a livability score of 49/100 and is ranked #1,148 in California and #25,700 in the USA. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that McFarland has higher than average grades for the following: housing (A-). On a more negative note, McFarland does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their McFarland apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

McFarland 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 McFarland. Median real estate prices in McFarland come in at $316,765, which is 56.7% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In McFarland, the home price to income ratio is 5.9, which is 23.4% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around McFarland

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Compare McFarland, CA Livability

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      McFarland transportation information

      Statistic McFarland California National
      Average one way commute20min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.8%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.7%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The McFarland, 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.