North Highlands 60 Average
North Highlands Livability #559 ranked city in California#18,366 ranked city in the USARanks better than 37% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in North Highlands

PROS
  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in North Highlands?

Located in the state of California, North Highlands is a moderately-sized city with a population of 50,172 residents. With a population density of 5,685 people per square mile, North Highlands is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of North Highlands identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 18% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. With an average age of 33 years old, North Highlands could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. North Highlands is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 50% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in North Highlands entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 31 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in North Highlands, California could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in North Highlands and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare North Highlands to California and the national average.

North Highlands has a livability score of 62 out of 100 and is ranked #512 in California and #15,769 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that North Highlands ranks very well for housing (A+). Unfortunately for North Highlands, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D).

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 North Highlands 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.

Assuming that North Highlands meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in North Highlands. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in North Highlands are simply unattainable. The median home price for North Highlands homes is $428,186, which is 41.5% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in North Highlands, 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 North Highlands

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How Do You Rate The Livability In North Highlands?

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Compare North Highlands, CA Livability

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      North Highlands transportation information

      Statistic North Highlands California National
      Average one way commute31min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.7%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.6%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.7%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home7.1%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The North Highlands, 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.