Walnut Creek 75 Excellent
Walnut Creek Livability #112 ranked city in California#3,883 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Walnut Creek

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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.

What's it like Living in Walnut Creek?

Walnut Creek is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 72,134 residents. Walnut Creek has a population density of 3,651 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. The majority of Walnut Creek residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Walnut Creek is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 48, which is well beyond the United States median age 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 Walnut Creek offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 37 minutes.

Living in Walnut Creek can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many incredible 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. The best areas in Walnut Creek and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.

Walnut Creek, CA receives 77/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #76 in California and #2,554 in the USA. Based on this score, Walnut Creek would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek has higher than average grades for the following: crime (B+) and education (A+). Walnut Creek does not rank well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

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 Walnut Creek have an average test score of 67%, which is well above the US average.

Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek. The median home price for Walnut Creek homes is $1,448,539, which is 98% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Walnut Creek, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 9.1, which is 18.2% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Walnut Creek

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Walnut Creek?

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Compare Walnut Creek, CA Livability

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      Walnut Creek transportation information

      Statistic Walnut Creek California National
      Average one way commute37min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work55.6%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.3%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit17.3%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.2%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home15.4%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Walnut Creek, 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.