Seal Beach 58 Below average
Seal Beach Livability #699 ranked city in California#21,111 ranked city in the USARanks better than 27% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Seal Beach

PROS
  • 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.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • 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.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

What's it like Living in Seal Beach?

Seal Beach, California is a mid-sized city with a population of 25,208 inhabitants. At 80%, the majority of the Seal Beach population is White; this is followed by 11% Asian and 2% Black. In Seal Beach, there seems to be a shift in population towards an older age group. The average age of the population is now 59, which is significantly higher than the nation’s average. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Seal Beach offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 33 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Seal Beach, 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. The best areas in Seal Beach and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

With a livability score of 61/100, Seal Beach is ranked #17,347 in the United States and #567 in California. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Seal Beach ranks well for education (A), employment (A+) and housing (A-). The bad news for Seal Beach, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

The unemployment rate in Seal Beach has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.8%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Seal Beach have an average test score of 75%, which is well above the US average.

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 Seal Beach 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.

Seal Beach real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Seal Beach. The median home price for Seal Beach homes is $767,461, which is 4.9% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Seal Beach, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.1, which is 7.8% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Seal Beach

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Compare Seal Beach, CA Livability

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      Seal Beach transportation information

      Statistic Seal Beach California National
      Average one way commute33min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.4%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.9%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.1%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.6%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home10.5%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Seal Beach, 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.