Tustin 71 Excellent
Tustin Livability #211 ranked city in California#6,632 ranked city in the USARanks better than 77% of areas
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Tustin, CA - The City of Trees

Living in Tustin, CA offers a suburban lifestyle with a blend of historical charm and modern convenience. Known as 'The City of Trees,' Tustin is located in the heart of Orange County and is celebrated for its beautiful neighborhoods, vibrant community life, and easy access to major freeways, making commuting to nearby cities like Irvine and Santa Ana convenient. The city’s historic Old Town area is a favorite spot for residents, featuring well-preserved buildings, antique shops, and cozy cafes.

Tustin’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from casual eateries to fine dining. The city’s popular Tustin Ranch Golf Club is a local favorite, offering a beautiful course surrounded by scenic views, as well as dining options that cater to both golfers and visitors. The Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off is a highlight of the year, bringing the community together to enjoy food, music, and family-friendly activities.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Tustin provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Citrus Ranch Park and Cedar Grove Park, offer sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic walking trails, making them perfect spots for family outings and community events. The nearby Peters Canyon Regional Park provides additional opportunities for hiking, biking, and exploring the natural beauty of Orange County.

Tustin is also known for its strong sense of community and rich history. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Tustin Tiller Days Parade and the annual Easter Egg Hunt, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the local culture. The proximity to popular shopping destinations like The District at Tustin Legacy and South Coast Plaza adds to the city’s appeal.

For those considering a move to California, Tustin offers a perfect blend of suburban comfort, historical charm, and modern amenities. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor activities, cultural events, or convenient location, living in Tustin, CA provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Tustin

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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

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 Tustin?

Tustin is a moderately-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 82,930 people. In Tustin, there are 7,458 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Tustin identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 28% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Tustin, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Tustin could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to search. 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Tustin, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, employment, housing and more.

With a livability score of 70 out of 100, Tustin is ranked #6,819 in the United States and #229 in California. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Tustin has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (B-) and employment (A+). On a more negative note, Tustin does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Living in Tustin offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Tustin provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Tustin: Tustin Ranch Golf Club, Marconi Automotive Museum, and Tustin Lanes.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Tustin is actually affordable. The median home price for Tustin homes is $1,267,458, which is 73.2% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Tustin, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.7, which is 26% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Tustin

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      Tustin transportation information

      Statistic Tustin California National
      Average one way commute24min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.2%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.4%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home8.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Tustin, 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.