San Carlos 82 Exceptional
San Carlos Livability #27 ranked city in California#914 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in San Carlos

PROS
  • 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.

  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • 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

    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

    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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in San Carlos?

Located in the state of California, San Carlos is a moderately-sized city with a population of 29,647 people. With a population density of 5,478 people per square mile, San Carlos is well above the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (71% White). Given that fact, San Carlos could be considered less diverse than other cities. 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 San Carlos, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 29 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in San Carlos could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. 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. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in San Carlos and in the areas around San Carlos is a much easier task.

The livability score in San Carlos is 82/100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, San Carlos would be considered a very livable city! San Carlos is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that San Carlos ranks very well for crime (A), education (A+) and housing (B). On a less positive note, San Carlos does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (D) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that San Carlos schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 78%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making San Carlos an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, San Carlos has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

San Carlos 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 San Carlos. Median real estate prices in San Carlos come in at $1,756,800, which is 329.2% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In San Carlos, the home price to income ratio is 9.3, which is 45.3% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around San Carlos

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How Do You Rate The Livability In San Carlos?

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Compare San Carlos, CA Livability

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      San Carlos transportation information

      Statistic San Carlos California National
      Average one way commute29min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work68.8%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.1%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit6.7%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home15.3%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The San Carlos, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).