Compton 58 Below average
Compton Livability #709 ranked city in California#20,632 ranked city in the USARanks better than 29% of areas

Compton, CA - The Hub City

Compton, CA, known as 'The Hub City,' offers a unique blend of urban energy and community spirit. Located in Los Angeles County, Compton is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Los Angeles (13 miles) and Long Beach (11 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Compton's blend of historic significance, cultural vibrancy, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Compton is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Compton Creek Natural Park, the historic Heritage House, and the scenic Wilson Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Crystal Casino to the bustling Compton Fashion Center, known for its shopping and dining. Compton's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern Californian cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Compton Christmas Parade and the Compton Air Fair highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Compton's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Compton College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Compton is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Compton Art Walk and the Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Compton provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Compton’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) and the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) in nearby Los Angeles, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Compton include manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as St. Francis Medical Center and Compton Unified School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and nearby Metro rail services, making commuting convenient for residents...

Pros and Cons of Living in Compton

PROS
  • Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

  • Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

  • Ratings

    AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

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What's it like Living in Compton?

Compton, California is a medium-sized city with a population of 95,804 inhabitants. In Compton, there are 9,554 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Compton identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 65% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Compton tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 32 is far below the national average. In Compton, only 44% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. 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 Compton offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 32 minutes.

Living in Compton can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many amazing 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 Compton, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, education, employment, housing and more.

Compton has a livability score of 61 out of 100 and is ranked #590 in California and #16,149 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Compton ranks well for education (A-) and housing (B-) There are some categories that Compton scores poorly for, including: amenities (D-), crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Compton 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Compton. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Compton are affordable. The median home price for Compton homes is $383,500, which is 6.3% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Compton, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.5, which is 1.6% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Compton

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Compton?

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Compare Compton, CA Livability

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      Compton transportation information

      Statistic Compton California National
      Average one way commute32min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.4%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.3%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.8%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home2.8%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Compton, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).