Monterey, CA Area Guide

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Photo of Monterey, CA
( 15 Ratings )

Living in Monterey, CA

Ranks better than 79% of areas Follow

Monterey Area Facts

  • Monterey has a Livability Score of 79/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Monterey crime rates are 19% lower than the California average
  • Cost of living in Monterey is 37% higher than the California average
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Monterey Reviews

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Best Weather in the USA, but Worst Policitics 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Oct 05, 2019) I've lived all around the U.S. (SE, NE, NW, SW) and also various locations in Europe, and can say definitively that this little piece of real estate on the CA central coast is the best weather anywhere! We have maybe 4-5 days each Summer of uncomfortably warm weather (defined by ...Read More us as above ~85), and few days of truly cold weather. Our Springs and Summers are very comfortable temps and humidity (LOW), with only some occasional fog to spoil the otherwise regular sunny skies. Our Falls are simply perfect, and our Winters are only slightly less perfect that the Fall. Winter brings mostly clear skies (clearer than Summer), and temps that only require you to wear a mid-weight coat. Not sure WHY this area gets such a low score for crime... I've lived here for almost 20 years and barely notice any "sense" of it; only what you see on the news. Bad things happen here, as elsewhere, but it is not like you are looking over your shoulder all the time or fearing for you life. 99% of the people I deal with are rather pleasant... only a few possible road-rage scenes that are easy to deflate by simply yielding to the other (stressed-out) person. Now for the down-side. House prices are very high... as you would expect for the weather/views/climate/etc. Also, traffic is getting worse. To find a house in your budget range, you likely have to purchase farther away; e.g., in Salinas (much higher crime problems) or Prunedale (longer commute). Of course, that then makes traffic a bigger issue. Also, the city and state seem hell-bent on adopting progressive/socialist/communist policies that--in the end--only serve to reward the ultra-rich and ultra-poor: i.e., they destroy the backbone of any healthy nations... it's middle class. I originally wrote several more sentences elaborating on this... but decided to leave it at that. Many of you reading this may embrace the form of government that offers (but never delivers) to "take care of you", but as a student of history, I KNOW that never ends well. In the final analysis; however, if you can afford to live here and either embrace the far-left worldview, or can at least tolerate it; then this is a GREAT place to live. LOTS to do, and LOTS of beautiful days with which to DO it! Read Less
No Longer Paradise 1 rating By Anonymous ( May 16, 2019) The Good: Beautiful weather. Nice parks. Good Food.
The Bad: Rent Prices/Real Estate Prices
The Ugly: Homeless. High Crime Rate. Cost of Living.

I have lived in Monterey five years and the issues above are getting worse.

Purposefully I elected NOT to live in Seaside or Marin ...Read More a, since Monterey is suppose to be a 'better place to live.'

We are turning into anther Santa Cruz. Cost of living too high to enjoy life.

The Board of Supervisors, who are in control of the County Budget, are not taking into consideration those who work at the front lines. Example: 911 Dispatch Workers in Monterey County have had well over 80% turn over. How can they attract and retain Employees. Read Less
A Beautiful City by the Sea: Love it! 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 14, 2018) During the five years that I lived in Monterey, I have to say it was absolutely amazing. It is a quiet, and peaceful city to live in, and you won't find better weather anywhere than while living in Monterey. The cost of living can be quite high, but in my opinion is worth it if y ...Read More ou can afford it!

Looking for work? There are plenty of opportunities in Monterey. A quick search in your favorite online job search website will show a huge amount of available jobs in Monterey.

Your family will also love come to visit you if you live in Monterey. One of the best areas in Monterey, is the Monterey Bay Aquarium! A must see/visit for anyone who has never been, and you will most likely find yourself going back for a second, or even a third time. So whether you're coming to live in Monterey for work, or just to get away from big city life, one thing is certain, you will love it here! Read Less
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A Beautiful City by the Sea: Love it! 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 14, 2018) During the five years that I lived in Monterey, I have to say it was absolutely amazing. It is a quiet, and peaceful city to live in, and you won't find better weather anywhere than while living in Monterey. The cost of living can be quite high, but in my opinion is worth it if y ...Read More ou can afford it!

Looking for work? There are plenty of opportunities in Monterey. A quick search in your favorite online job search website will show a huge amount of available jobs in Monterey.

Your family will also love come to visit you if you live in Monterey. One of the best areas in Monterey, is the Monterey Bay Aquarium! A must see/visit for anyone who has never been, and you will most likely find yourself going back for a second, or even a third time. So whether you're coming to live in Monterey for work, or just to get away from big city life, one thing is certain, you will love it here! Read Less

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Compare Monterey, CA Livability

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      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Monterey? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Dennis the Menace Playground
      El Estero Park
      Root Park
      Jacks Park
      San Carlos School Field
      Lagunta Niranda Park
      Spanish Park
      Hartnell Park

      Entertainment

      MY Museum
      Monterey Bay Sailing
      Monterey Museum of Art - La Mirada
      Randy's Fishing Trips
      Monterey Bay Whale Watching Center
      Chris' Fishing Trips and Whale Watching
      Glass Bottom Boat
      Museum of Monterey

      Food & Drink

      McDonald's
      London Bridge Pub
      La Casa Bodega
      Dust Bowl Brewing Company Tap Depot
      Fish and Chips Cafe
      Warf Chocolate Factory
      Carousel Candies
      Candy Land

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Monterey? Of all people who commute, 3.8% take public transportation in Monterey.
      Drive to Work
      63%

      14% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      4%

      1% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      11%

      8% higher than the US average

      F Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Monterey? The cost of living in Monterey is 192/100 - which is 37% higher than California.
      Monterey
      192

      92% more expensive than average

      California
      140

      40% more expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      D+ Crime

      What is the crime rate in Monterey? Monterey crime rates are 2,293, which are 19% lower than California
      Total Crime
      2,293 per 100k people

      1% higher than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 44

      1% higher than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      -13%

      Year over year crime is down

      A+ Employment

      What is the median income in Monterey? The median income in Monterey is $80,908 which is 27% higher than California.
      Median household income
      $80,90846% higher than the US average
      Income per capita
      $50,60370% higher than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      2%

      54% lower than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Monterey a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens

      Doctors

      Dr. Terry Franklin, MD, FAAFP
      Gerard M. Lehrer
      Sunderpal S Dail DDS

      C Housing

      What are Monterey home prices? Monterey home prices are $813,600 - which is 99% higher than California
      Median home value
      $813,600340% higher than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,85595% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      34%

      46% lower than the US average

      B+ Schools

      Does Monterey have good schools? The Monterey graduation rate is 93% - which is 16% higher than California
      High school grad. rates
      93%

      11% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      51%

      6% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      21:1

      32% higher than the US average

      C User Ratings

      Is Monterey a good place to live? Monterey has an overall rating of 62% from 15 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      62%

      15 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      60%

      3 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      68%

      12 total surveys

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