Livability Score

64
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (13) A+
Campus Point Coffee
Coffee Shop
I. V. Drip
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Déjà Vu Café
Coffee Shop
Aladdin
Coffee Shop
Cajé Café
Coffee Shop
Bagel Café
Coffee Shop
Mojo Asian Fusion Café
Coffee Shop
Spudnuts Donuts
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Coral Tree Cafe
Coffee Shop
Courtyard Cafe
Coffee Shop
Zizzo's
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Dune Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
Natural Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
On The Alley
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Coffee Shop
Hochaya Tea House
Coffee Shop
Dean: a coffee shop
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Del Plebblo Cafe
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (8) A+
Hatlen Theater
Theatre Arts
Softball Stadium
Stadium
Caesar Uyesaka Stadium
Stadium
Harder Stadium
Stadium
Art, Design & Architecture Museum
Museum
Pollock Theater
Theatre Arts
Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall
Theatre Arts
Old Little Theatre
Theatre Arts
Camino Real Cinemas
Cinema
West Wind
Cinema
Scott O'Leary Stadium
Stadium
Coronado Butterfly Preserve
Attraction
South Coast Railroad Museum
Museum
Horace Sexton Museum
Museum
Stow House
Museum
Ranchyard and History Education Center
Museum
Food and Drink (30) A+
Six Pak
Alcohol
Sam's To Go
Deli
Blenders In The Grass
Fast Food
Silvergreen's
Fast Food
IV Deli Mart
Fast Food
Kaptain's Firehouse BBQ
Fast Food
Freebirds
Fast Food
The Study Hall
Bar
Domino's
Fast Food
Sushiya
Fast Food
Vons Chicken
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Rosarito
Fast Food
The Habit Burger Grill
Fast Food
Dublin's Sports Grill
Bar
Naan Stop
Fast Food
South Coast Deli
Deli
Woodstocks
Fast Food
Super Cucas
Fast Food
SOS Liquor
Alcohol
Pizza My Heart
Fast Food
Jamba Juice
Fast Food
Santorini Island Grill
Fast Food
Panda Express
Fast Food
Root Burger
Fast Food
Fitness (9) A+
Santa Barbara Hillel
Community Centre
Yoga Isla Vista
Gym
Isla Vista Community Center
Community Centre
Duke's Boxing & Fitness
Gym
San Clemente Center
Community Centre
Casitas Fitness Center
Gym
9ROUND
Gym
Goleta Valley Athletic Club
Gym
CorePower Yoga
Gym
Rise Up
Gym
Planet Fitness
Gym
Visitors' Center
Community Centre
Spectrum Athletic Club
Gym
Goleta Valley Community Center
Community Centre
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
Groceries (0) F
Indo China Market
Grocery Store
Anna's Bakery
Bakery
Cristino's Bakery
Bakery
Ethnic Breads
Bakery
Albertsons
Grocery Store
Smart & Final Extra!
Grocery Store
Santa Cruz Market
Grocery Store
Sprouts Farmers Market
Grocery Store
Albertsons
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
Ralphs
Grocery Store
Lassen's Health Food
Grocery Store
Parks (44) A+
Anisq'Oyo' Park
Park
Sueño Park
Park
Greek Park
Park
Pardall Gardens
Park
People's Park
Park
Perfect Park
Park
Trigo-Pasado Park
Park
Children's Park
Park
Little Acorn Park
Park
Camino Pescadero Park
Park
Sueno Orchard
Park
Pelican Park
Park
Jameson Community Center
Park
Estero Park
Park
Window to the Sea Park
Park
Path to the Beach
Park
Walter Capps Park
Park
Rottapel Park
Park
Isla Vista "DS" Park
Park
Gaffney Park
Park
Tierra de Fortuna Park
Park
West Campus Playground
Playground
Noble Hall Courtyard
Park
Pearl Chase Park
Park
Deckers Park
Park
Shops (18) A+
Isla Vista Bicycle Boutique
Bicycle
The B Boutique
Beauty
Isla Vista Community Bike Center
Bicycle
Keg N Bottle
Convenience Store
Isla Vista Market
Convenience Store
Richie's Barber Shop
Hairdresser
Varsity Bike Shop
Bicycle
Wanderlust Hair Studio
Hairdresser
Isla Vista Food Cooperative
Convenience Store
Campus Cuts
Hairdresser
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Get Faded Salon & Spa Isla Vista
Hairdresser
UCSB Bike Shop
Bicycle
UCSB Bookstore
Convenience Store
The Corner Store
Convenience Store
Arbor
Convenience Store
Tenaya Market
Convenience Store
The Corner Store
Convenience Store
The Miramar Market
Convenience Store
Deckers
Shoes
Deckers Brand Showcase
Shoes
Hoka One One
Shoes
Koolaburra
Shoes
Sanuk
Shoes
UGG
Shoes
See more Isla Vista amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 6.7% take public transportation in Isla Vista.
Public Transit Stops (31)
Stops & Stations A+
Abrego & Camino Pescadero
Bus Stop
Sharkeez Bus
Bus Stop
Bill's Bus
Bus Stop
Camino Pescadero & Cervantes
Bus Stop
Camino Pescadero & El Colegio
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Embarcadero del Mar
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Embarcadero del Mar
Bus Stop
Camino del Sur & Abrego
Bus Stop
Los Carneros and El Colegio
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Los Carneros
Bus Stop
Los Carneros and El Colegio
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Los Carneros
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Stadium Road
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Stadium Road
Bus Stop
Ocean and Sabado Tarde
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Stadium Road
Bus Stop
Ocean and Sabado Tarde
Bus Stop
Abrego & Camino Corto
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Camino Corto
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Camino Corto
Bus Stop
Santa Barbara, CA Univ of California, Santa Barbara (SBU)
Bus Stop
VISTA
Bus Stop
UCSB North Hall
Bus Stop
UCSB North Hall
Bus Stop
El Colegio & Santa Catalina
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
6.7% B
See more Isla Vista commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in Isla Vista is 133/100 - which is 5% lower than California.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax F
See more Isla Vista cost of living data

crime F

Isla Vista crime rates are 4,066 per 100k, which is 43% higher than California
Property Crime
3,351 crimes per 100k F
Violent Crime
715 crimes per 100k F
See more Isla Vista crime data

employment F

The median income in Isla Vista is $21,018 - which is 67% lower than California.
Med. Household Income
$21,018 F
Unemployment Rate
8.5% F
See more Isla Vista employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (5)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
Isla Vista Neighborhood Clinic
Clinic
UCSB Student Health Center
Clinic
Santa Barabara County Fire Department Station #17
Fire Station
University of California Police Department
Police
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Station #11
Fire Station
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Goleta Dental Care
Dentist
City of Goleta Police Marketplace Substation
Police
Johnson Family Dental
Dentist
Benjamin Laudig, DDS
Dentist
Jackson Medical Group, Inc.
Doctor
Cottage Urgent Care
Clinic
American Medical Response
Ambulance Station
SB Fire Station 8
Fire Station
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Station #14
Fire Station
Old Town Goleta Police Station
Police
Rite Aid
Pharmacy
Medcenter
Clinic
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Goleta Neighborhood Dental Clinic
Dentist
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Goleta Neighborhood Clinic
Clinic
Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital
Hospital
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Station #12
Fire Station
Sansum Clinic
Clinic
Air Quality
Median Air Quality C
See more Isla Vista health & safety data

housing F

Isla Vista home prices are $0 - which is 100% lower than California
Home Price
$0 F
Home Appreciation Rate
N/A F
Home Affordability
N/A A+
See more Isla Vista housing data

schools F

The Isla Vista graduation rate is 84% - which is 5% higher than California
School Test Scores
N/A
High School Grad. Rates
84% C
Elementary Schools (0) F
Isla Vista Elementary
La Patera Elementary
Ellwood Elementary
Brandon Elementary
Learning Tree Preschool
Montessori Center School
Waldorf School Of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Charter
Coastline Christian Academy
Kellogg Elementary
Mountain View Elementary
Hollister Elementary
El Camino Elementary
High Schools (0) F
Dos Pueblos Senior High
See more Isla Vista education data

ratings D+

Isla Vista has an overall rating of 57% from 4 reviews.
User Reviews (2)
From AreaVibes B-
User Surveys (2)
From AreaVibes F
See more Isla Vista user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Isla Vista, CA Area Guide

Photo of Isla Vista, CA
( 4 Ratings )

Living in Isla Vista, CA

Ranks better than 64% of areas Follow

Isla Vista Area Facts

  • Isla Vista has a Livability Score of 64/100, which is considered average
  • Isla Vista crime rates are 43% higher than the California average
  • Cost of living in Isla Vista is 5% lower than the California average

What do the locals think about Isla Vista?

Based on 2 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll
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Isla Vista Reviews

Write a review about Isla Vista Tell people what you like or don't like about Isla Vista…
Isla Vista is a wierd and wonderful college town 3 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 12, 2020) Borne of necessity when UC Santa Barbara came to town in the mid 1950's. Isla Vista went from ocean-proximate farm land to a student "town" in the space of about 10 years, with the vast majority of young people temporary students attending UCSB, and a few thousand attending near ...Read More by Santa Barbara City College. It is not a family-friendly or even older adult-friendly town because of the temporary nature of student life and lack of home ownership, coupled with noise, trash, constant partying and general frenetic movement of students, even late at night. That said, if you are a college student with strong stomach, it is a great place to get your funk on, and live in a town almost entirely populated by the young and beautiful 18-24 demographic in a sea of tightly packed apartments all nestled right up against the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. Did I say the kids are attractive? They are about the best looking kids you will ever lay eyes on, as they tend to stay fit, wear swim trunks and bikinis and hang out in the surf and sun all day.

The good: In some ways, it is likely the nicest view and location a student will ever have in his/her entire life. One can ride a bike to class in the morning, grab a burrito at Freebirds for lunch, swing by the apartment, pick up a board and wet-suit, and be carving up at a point break in minutes; any one in Isla Vista can have bare feet in the ocean water in five minutes or less. There are plenty of tasty and cheap college type eating establishments, and a few markets with a major shopping center with a Costco and Home Depot just a couple of miles down the road.

The bad: Isla Vista IS major college party town with no adult supervision, with copious amounts of alcohol consumption and rampant recreational drug use 24/7. Isla Vista has about 10 liquor stores on the main drag, and one of the stores reputedly sells the second largest quantity of vodka of any liquor store in the State of California. Renting a room in Isla Vista is crazy expensive for what you get. $900-1000 gets a shared room in an apartment with likely 7 other roommates off the beach area, called Del Playa. On the ocean side of Del Playa itself, expect to pay about $1,500 per month for the privilege of small shared room. It can be quite unsafe at night, especially for college girls with roving bands of young men always on the lookout for easy prey. Finally, for its size, Isla Vista has a high crime rate (mostly property theft and drunk and disorderly conduct) and a couple hundred homeless who have taken up residence in the local parks, making open spaces in the town almost unusable.

The Ugly: Because "I.V." - as it fondly known by locals - was mostly thrown up in a matter of a decade or so in the early 60's, and is now controlled by out-of-town REIT's in the Los Angeles and San Francisco area, there are absolutely no buildings of note nor any architectural gems, only block upon block of hastily constructed apartment buildings scattered among older homes that pre-date the landing of students in the area. Read Less
Isla Vista, La - A Busy City 4 rating By Anonymous ( May 14, 2018) Living in Isla Vista, La can be challenging, but has some advantages worth getting used to.
First off, the weather in the city is amazing. I love the fact that winter weathers fail to reach anything below 20 degrees; zero degree weathers can be tough for me. Now, the income per c ...Read More apita is a big concern. Compared to the national average, Isla Vista is 69% lower than other cities. The violent crime rate is excessive, nearly 100% higher than the average in the nation. Now, this puzzles me, because the cost of living in every category from housing to goods and services, exceeds the national average, housing costs are over 100% higher.

The educational system, pertaining to student test scores, is nearly average. The poverty level is over 300% higher than the average in the nation. This city appears [on paper] to be a tough city to live in. However, the number of amenities in the city is extremely excessive: fitness, shopping, parks, coffee shops, bars, public transportation, etc. A population of under 28,000, but this city can get extremely busy, if you are a fan of the busy life.

Many people thrive in a busy city. It can be very neighbor interactive. The best areas to live near Isla Vista are Downtown Santa Barbara, which is just nine miles away from the city, and Motecito, which is just under 15 miles away from the city. Read Less
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Compare Isla Vista, CA Livability

      vs

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Isla Vista? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Anisq'Oyo' Park
      Sueño Park
      Greek Park
      Pardall Gardens
      People's Park
      Perfect Park
      Trigo-Pasado Park
      Children's Park

      Entertainment

      Hatlen Theater
      Softball Stadium
      Caesar Uyesaka Stadium
      Harder Stadium
      Art, Design & Architecture Museum
      Pollock Theater
      Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall
      Old Little Theatre

      Food & Drink

      Six Pak
      Sam's To Go
      Blenders In The Grass
      Silvergreen's
      IV Deli Mart
      Kaptain's Firehouse BBQ
      Freebirds
      The Study Hall

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Isla Vista? Of all people who commute, 6.7% take public transportation in Isla Vista.
      Drive to Work
      43%

      33% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      7%

      2% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      11%

      8% higher than the US average

      F Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Isla Vista? The cost of living in Isla Vista is 133/100 - which is 5% lower than California.
      Isla Vista
      133

      33% more expensive than average

      California
      140

      40% more expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      F Crime

      What is the crime rate in Isla Vista? Isla Vista crime rates are 4,066, which are 43% higher than California
      Total Crime
      4,066 per 100k people

      75% higher than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 25

      75% higher than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      10%

      Year over year crime is up

      F Employment

      What is the median income in Isla Vista? The median income in Isla Vista is $21,018 which is 67% lower than California.
      Median household income
      $21,01862% lower than the US average
      Income per capita
      $10,57665% lower than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      9%

      83% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Isla Vista a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Pharmacies

      Doctors

      F Housing

      What are Isla Vista home prices? Isla Vista home prices are $0 - which is 100% lower than California
      Median home value
      $0100% lower than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,66275% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      1%

      98% lower than the US average

      F Schools

      Does Isla Vista have good schools? The Isla Vista graduation rate is 84% - which is 5% higher than California
      High school grad. rates
      84%

      1% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      ?

      100% lower than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      0:1

      100% lower than the US average

      D+ User Ratings

      Is Isla Vista a good place to live? Isla Vista has an overall rating of 57% from 4 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      57%

      4 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      70%

      2 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      28%

      2 total surveys

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