Vacaville 77 Exceptional
Vacaville Livability #88 ranked city in California#3,156 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Vacaville, CA - The Jewel of Solano County

Vacaville, CA, known as 'The Jewel of Solano County,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Solano County, Vacaville is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Sacramento (34 miles) and San Francisco (55 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Vacaville's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Vacaville is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Nut Tree Plaza, the historic Pena Adobe Park, and the scenic Lagoon Valley Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Vacaville Premium Outlets to the bustling Downtown Vacaville, known for its shopping and dining. Vacaville's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Vacaville Fiesta Days and the CreekWalk Concert Series highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Vacaville's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Solano Community College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Vacaville is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre and the Gallery on Main are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Vacaville provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Vacaville’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Sacramento Kings (NBA) and the San Francisco Giants (MLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Vacaville include healthcare, education, and biotechnology, with significant employers such as Kaiser Permanente and Genentech driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sha...

Pros and Cons of Living in Vacaville

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.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this 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 Vacaville?

Located in the state of California, Vacaville is a moderately-sized city with a population of 103,113 inhabitants. Vacaville has a population density of 3,581 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. 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 Vacaville your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 29 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Vacaville, California could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Vacaville and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from commute, health & safety, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

Vacaville, CA receives 79 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #53 in California and #1,840 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Vacaville ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Vacaville also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Vacaville ranks very well for employment (A+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Vacaville 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.

If you're considering living in Vacaville, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Vacaville provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Vacaville are: Vacaville Premium Outlets, Nut Tree Family Park, and Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Regional Park.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Vacaville 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.

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 Vacaville is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Vacaville come in at $803,657, which is 9.8% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Vacaville, the home price to income ratio is 5.9, which is 23.4% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Vacaville

See all the best places to live around Vacaville

How Do You Rate The Livability In Vacaville?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Vacaville, CA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Vacaville transportation information

      Statistic Vacaville California National
      Average one way commute29min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.1%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home6.9%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Vacaville, 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.