Selma 59 Below average
Selma Livability #658 ranked city in California#20,374 ranked city in the USARanks better than 30% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Selma

PROS
  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

  • 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.

  • Employment Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Selma?

Selma, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 25,254 people. Selma has a population density of 4,894 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (78% White). Given that fact, Selma could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Selma are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 53% of the population also speak Spanish. With an average age of 30 years old, Selma could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. In Selma, only 48% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Selma, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 23 minutes.

Living in Selma can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the area. 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Selma, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, education and more.

With a livability score of 58 out of 100, Selma is ranked #20,019 in the United States and #673 in California. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Selma has higher than average scores for the following: housing (A-). Selma does not fare well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), cost of living (D-), education (D-) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Selma 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 Selma 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 Selma. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Selma are simply unattainable. The median home price for Selma homes is $345,524, which is 52.8% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Selma, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.5, which is 28.6% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Selma

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Selma?

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Compare Selma, CA Livability

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      Selma transportation information

      Statistic Selma California National
      Average one way commute23min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.2%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.8%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.4%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home2.4%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Selma, 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.