Porterville 60 Average
Porterville Livability #578 ranked city in California#18,799 ranked city in the USARanks better than 35% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Porterville

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • 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.

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.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in Porterville?

Located in the state of California, Porterville is a moderately-sized city with a population of 61,051 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,298 people per square mile, Porterville is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Porterville identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 50% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Porterville could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 31 years old is below the nation’s average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 50% of the Porterville population is married.

Living in Porterville can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many desirable 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. The best areas in Porterville and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

The livability score in Porterville is 59 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 34th percentile of all cities across America. This score ranks well below the United States average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Porterville ranks well for housing (A) There are some categories that Porterville does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (D), cost of living (D), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Porterville can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Porterville 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 Porterville. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Porterville are simply unattainable. The median home price for Porterville homes is $336,443, which is 54% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Porterville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 33.8% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Porterville

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Porterville?

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Compare Porterville, CA Livability

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      Porterville transportation information

      Statistic Porterville California National
      Average one way commute22min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.7%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.6%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home1.3%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Porterville, 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.