Rancho Santa Fe 63 Average
Rancho Santa Fe Livability #457 ranked city in California#15,610 ranked city in the USARanks better than 46% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Rancho Santa Fe

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • 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.

  • 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.

What's it like Living in Rancho Santa Fe?

Located in the state of California, Rancho Santa Fe is a small-sized city with a population of 2,734 people. At 90%, the majority of the Rancho Santa Fe population is White; this is followed by 0% Black and 0% Asian. With an average age of 52 years, Rancho Santa Fe residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. An important consideration when living in Rancho Santa Fe is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 33 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Rancho Santa Fe, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Rancho Santa Fe, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, health & safety and more.

Rancho Santa Fe, CA receives 63 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #467 in California and #14,662 in the USA. If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Rancho Santa Fe ranks well for crime (A+) and education (A+). There are some categories that Rancho Santa Fe ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and housing (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Rancho Santa Fe, the unemployment rate stands at 1.1%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Rancho Santa Fe, the average school test scores are an impressive 85%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Rancho Santa Fe. 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 Rancho Santa Fe are affordable. Median real estate prices in Rancho Santa Fe come in at $3,540,232, which is 383.8% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Rancho Santa Fe, the home price to income ratio is 13.6, which is 76.6% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Rancho Santa Fe

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Rancho Santa Fe?

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Compare Rancho Santa Fe, CA Livability

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      Rancho Santa Fe transportation information

      Statistic Rancho Santa Fe California National
      Average one way commute33min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work58.1%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk8.8%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home23.5%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Rancho Santa Fe, 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.