San Juan Capistrano 75 Excellent
San Juan Capistrano Livability #113 ranked city in California#3,901 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in San Juan Capistrano

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in San Juan Capistrano?

San Juan Capistrano, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 36,776 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (71% White). Given that fact, San Juan Capistrano could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of San Juan Capistrano are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 30% of the population also speak Spanish. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make San Juan Capistrano your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 25 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in San Juan Capistrano could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in San Juan Capistrano and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics San Juan Capistrano has received a livability score of 77 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 90th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a phenomenal score, as San Juan Capistrano ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that San Juan Capistrano ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that San Juan Capistrano has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A+) and crime (B+). San Juan Capistrano does not do well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in San Juan Capistrano, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in San Juan Capistrano undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Here are some of the more popular things to do in San Juan Capistrano: Mission San Juan Capistrano, ZOOMARS Petting Zoo, and San Juan Hills Country Club.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of San Juan Capistrano, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 165 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In San Juan Capistrano, the unemployment rate stands at 2.1%, 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.

Assuming that San Juan Capistrano 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 San Juan Capistrano. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in San Juan Capistrano are simply unattainable. The median home price for San Juan Capistrano homes is $1,335,729, which is 82.6% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in San Juan Capistrano, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 8.6, which is 11.7% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around San Juan Capistrano

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      San Juan Capistrano transportation information

      Statistic San Juan Capistrano California National
      Average one way commute25min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.6%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.5%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.8%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.3%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home9.9%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The San Juan Capistrano, 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.