Living in Napa, CA offers a unique blend of small-town charm, world-renowned wine culture, and the convenience of being close to major urban centers. Located in the heart of California’s Wine Country, Napa is just a short drive from San Francisco and the Bay Area, making it an ideal location for those who want to enjoy the benefits of a peaceful, scenic setting while having easy access to the amenities of a big city.
Napa’s dining scene is world-class, offering a range of options from Michelin-starred restaurants to casual wine country bistros. The city’s downtown area is a vibrant hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, cafes, and entertainment venues. The annual Napa Valley Wine Auction and the Napa Valley Film Festival are highlights of the year, bringing the community together to celebrate the region’s rich culture with food, wine, and entertainment.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Napa provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Alston Park and Skyline Wilderness Park, offer scenic spots for hiking, biking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Napa Valley. The nearby Napa River provides additional opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors.
Napa is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to preserving its rich heritage. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Napa Porchfest and the annual Christmas Parade, which bring residents together to enjoy the community spirit and festive atmosphere. The city’s proximity to San Francisco and the Bay Area means that residents can easily access the amenities of major cities, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.
For those considering a move to California, Napa offers a perfect blend of small-town charm, world-class wine culture, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its scenic beauty, cultural events, or easy access to San Francisco, living in Napa, CA provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Located in the state of California, Napa is a mid-sized city with a population of 78,294 people. In Napa, there are 4,338 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. At 76%, the majority of the Napa population is White; this is followed by 3% Asian and 1% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Napa are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 31% of the population also speak Spanish. 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 Napa, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 23 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Napa 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. The best areas in Napa and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the California and national averages.
Napa has a livability score of 72 out of 100 and is ranked #204 in California and #5,052 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Napa has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (B+), education (A+) and employment (A+). Regrettably for Napa, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: cost of living (F).
Napa has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Napa has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Platypus Wine Tours, Beau Wine Private Tours - Napa Valley, and Napa Valley Wine Country Tours.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Napa is real estate affordability. The median home price for Napa homes is $644,100, which is 57.4% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Napa, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.5, which is 17.2% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Napa | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.7% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.8% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.2% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.5% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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