Montclair 59 Below average
Montclair Livability #660 ranked city in California#20,428 ranked city in the USARanks better than 30% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Montclair

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • 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 Montclair?

Montclair is a mid-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 41,014 residents. With a population density of 7,434 people per square mile, Montclair is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Montclair identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 48% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Montclair residents is 32. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 47% of the Montclair population is married. Something to be aware of when living in Montclair are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 31 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Montclair is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating 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, cost of living, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Montclair and in the areas around Montclair is a much easier task.

The livability score in Montclair is 60/100 and the city is ranked in the 38th percentile of all cities across America. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Montclair has higher than average scores for the following: housing (B+). Unfortunately for Montclair, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (D-), crime (F) and cost of living (F).

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 Montclair 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Montclair. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Montclair are affordable. Median real estate prices in Montclair come in at $696,996, which is 4.7% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Montclair, the home price to income ratio is 7.5, which is 2.6% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Montclair

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      Montclair transportation information

      Statistic Montclair California National
      Average one way commute31min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.6%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool16.7%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.7%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Montclair, 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.