Livability Score

71
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities D

There are some amenities close to this location.
Coffee (8) F
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Marin Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Peet's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Dr. Insomniae's
Coffee Shop
Great Donuts
Coffee Shop
Little Goan
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (6) F
Century Theaters Rowland Plaza
Cinema
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum
Hamilton Theater
Theatre Arts
Hamilton Field History Museum
Museum
Marin Museum of the American Indian
Museum
Dixie Schoolhouse
Museum
Food and Drink (23) D-
In-N-Out Burger
Fast Food
Jenny Low's
Fast Food
Panera Bread
Fast Food
See's Candies
Sweets
Tuttimelon
Sweets
Extreme Pizza
Fast Food
BevMo!
Alcohol
Taco Bell
Fast Food
Chick-fil-A
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
Nekter Juice Bar
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
The Habit Burger Grill
Fast Food
Papa Murphy's
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Panda Express
Fast Food
Finnegan's Marin Restaurant & Bar
Bar
Beercraft
Bar
Burger King
Fast Food
JJ's Burger Joint
Fast Food
Fitness (6) F
Five Points Fitness
Gym
Some Like It Hot
Gym
CycleBar Novato
Gym
Anytime Fitness
Gym
Hamilton Community Center
Community Centre
Marinwood Community Center
Community Centre
Marinwood Fire Department
Community Centre
Groceries (5) F
Nugget Markets
Grocery Store
Whole Foods Market
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Marinwood Market
Grocery Store
Harvest Market
Grocery Store
Parks (61) A+
Unknown Name
Playground
Lynwood Hill Park
Park
Lynwood Hill Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Hillside Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Slade Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Park
Shops (45) A+
Nordstrom Rack
Clothing
Sprint
Electronics
Supercuts
Hairdresser
Old Navy
Clothing
Francesca's
Clothing
Loft
Clothing
Sephora
Beauty
Petco
Pets
Marshalls
Department Store
Target
Department Store
Eddie Bauer Outlet
Clothing
Ross
Department Store
GNC
Nutrition Supplements
AT&T
Electronics
Gymboree
Clothing
DSW
Shoes
AT&T
Electronics
Macy's
Department Store
Verizon
Electronics
Ignacio Center
Mall
Natalie and Daria's Flowers and Gifts
Florist
Best Hair
Hairdresser
Dollar Tree
Discount Store
Woodlands Pet Food & Treats
Pets
Marin Eye Care
Optician
See more Novato amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 6.4% take public transportation in Novato.
Public Transit Stops (134)
Stops & Stations A+
208 Vintage Way
Bus Stop
232 Vintage Way
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Redwood Boulevard
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Redwood Boulevard
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Midway Boulevard
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Midway Boulevard
Bus Stop
124 Vintage Way
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Stone Drive
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Stone Drive
Bus Stop
Rowland Boulevard Bus Pad
Bus Stop
Rowland Boulevard & Rowland Way
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Sunset Parkway
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Sunset Parkway
Bus Stop
Rowland Boulevard & Rowland Way
Bus Stop
Sunset Parkway & Cambridge Street
Bus Stop
Sunset Parkway & Cambridge Street
Bus Stop
Rowland Boulevard & Redwood Boulevard
Bus Stop
Rowland Boulevard & Redwood Boulevard
Bus Stop
Sunset Parkway & Denlyn Street
Bus Stop
Sunset Parkway & Denlyn Street
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Rowland Boulevard
Bus Stop
Novato Boulevard & Rowland Boulevard
Bus Stop
Sunset Parkway & Midway Boulevard
Bus Stop
Sunset Parkway & Midway Boulevard
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
6.4% B
See more Novato commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in Novato is 197/100 - which is 41% higher than California.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax F
See more Novato cost of living data

crime B

Novato crime rates are 1,862 per 100k, which is 34% lower than California
Property Crime
1,622 crimes per 100k C+
Violent Crime
240 crimes per 100k B+
See more Novato crime data

employment A+

The median income in Novato is $101,629 - which is 59% higher than California.
Med. Household Income
$101,629 A+
Unemployment Rate
2.7% A-
See more Novato employment data

health F

There are some hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (9)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. F
Novato Community Hospital
Hospital
Golden Gate Veterinary Compounding Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Unknown Name
Fire Station
Pacific Dental
Dentist
Safeway
Pharmacy
Novato Police Department
Police
Medical Center of Marin
Clinic
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
San Marin Dental
Dentist
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A-
See more Novato health & safety data

housing C+

Novato home prices are $804,900 - which is 97% higher than California
Home Price
$804,900 A+
Home Appreciation Rate
22% A+
Home Affordability
7.9x (home price to income ratio) F
See more Novato housing data

schools C+

The Novato graduation rate is 92% - which is 15% higher than California
School Test Scores
49% F
High School Grad. Rates
92% A
Elementary Schools (17) F
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Lynwood Elementary
Marin Christian Academy
San Jose Intermediate
Rancho Elementary
Loma Verde Elementary
Novato Early Intervention
Olive Elementary
Nova Education Center
Hamilton Meadow Park
Novato Charter
Novato Charter
Lu Sutton Elementary
Our Lady Of Loretto School
Sinaloa Middle
Mary E. Silveira Elementary
Timothy Murphy School
Gate Academy
Miller Creek Middle
San Ramon Elementary
Pleasant Valley Elementary
High Schools (6) F
North Bay Christian Academy
Marin Oaks High
Novato High
Nexus Academy
Nova Education Center
Timothy Murphy School
See more Novato education data

ratings A+

Novato has an overall rating of 85% from 11 reviews.
User Reviews (1)
From AreaVibes A+
User Surveys (10)
From AreaVibes B
See more Novato user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Novato, CA Area Guide

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Living in Novato, CA

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Novato Reviews

Write a review about Novato Tell people what you like or don't like about Novato…
Where in the World is Novato, CA? 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 25, 2012) The city of Novato, California is located across the bay from San Francisco. It is in the county of Marin. This little bit of country is a quiet respite for people who work in San Francisco which is only 29 miles away. In Novato you will find beautiful rolling hills and magnifice ...Read More nt mountain vistas. Having lived here and commuted to the city; I can tell you that once you are on the road to San Francisco the rolling hills make the commute relaxing and a lot quicker than you think. For a weekend getaway or a "staycation" the Napa/Sonoma vineyards are only 20 miles away.

Novato is known for its small town charm but it is also home to Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and many small biotech and technology firms. Probably the name most recognized company is the Berkenstock Distribution USA. The city offers a wonderful Novato Farmers Market every Tuesday afternoon. The vegetables and fruits are mostly grown in the area surrounding the town. It is a great place to not only shop but also to meet up with friends and do an outdoor picnic. Just bring a bottle of your favorite wine and a blanket; all the food you will need is right there.

Novato was once the home of the Hamilton Air Force Base; after World War II it was decommissioned and has been under development since. Most of the barracks are now apartment and condo buildings. The huge Quonset buildings are now home to Bertenstocks and many other businesses.

The people of Novato are a very tight knit family and believe in taking care of each other. When a neighborhood project comes up everyone pitches in to help. Currently the town is offering engraved bricks to build a patio surrounding city hall. They had original had six thousand bricks available and now they have less than two thousand bricks to go until the patio will be completed. I purchased one for my family; so when you go to Novato look me up, I'm in space number four. Read Less
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Compare Novato, CA Livability

      vs

      D Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Novato? Yes, there are some amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Unknown Name
      Lynwood Hill Park
      Lynwood Hill Park
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name

      Entertainment

      Century Theaters Rowland Plaza
      Marin Museum of Contemporary Art
      Hamilton Theater
      Hamilton Field History Museum
      Marin Museum of the American Indian
      Dixie Schoolhouse

      Food & Drink

      In-N-Out Burger
      Jenny Low's
      Panera Bread
      See's Candies
      Tuttimelon
      Extreme Pizza
      BevMo!
      Taco Bell

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Novato? Of all people who commute, 6.4% take public transportation in Novato.
      Drive to Work
      70%

      7% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      6%

      1% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      equal to the US average

      F Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Novato? The cost of living in Novato is 197/100 - which is 41% higher than California.
      Novato
      197

      97% more expensive than average

      California
      140

      40% more expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      B Crime

      What is the crime rate in Novato? Novato crime rates are 1,862, which are 34% lower than California
      Total Crime
      1,862 per 100k people

      20% lower than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 54

      20% lower than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      -4%

      Year over year crime is down

      A+ Employment

      What is the median income in Novato? The median income in Novato is $101,629 which is 59% higher than California.
      Median household income
      $101,62984% higher than the US average
      Income per capita
      $55,81387% higher than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      3%

      43% lower than the US average

      C- Health & Safety

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

      Hospitals

      Novato Community Hospital

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      Safeway
      Golden Gate Veterinary Compounding Pharmacy

      Doctors

      C+ Housing

      What are Novato home prices? Novato home prices are $804,900 - which is 97% higher than California
      Median home value
      $804,900336% higher than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,975108% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      70%

      10% higher than the US average

      C+ Schools

      Does Novato have good schools? The Novato graduation rate is 92% - which is 15% higher than California
      High school grad. rates
      92%

      11% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      49%

      3% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      21:1

      30% higher than the US average

      A+ User Ratings

      Is Novato a good place to live? Novato has an overall rating of 85% from 11 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      85%

      11 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      90%

      1 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      72%

      10 total surveys

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