California 72 Excellent
California Livability #142 ranked city in Maryland#5,755 ranked city in the USARanks better than 80% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in California

PROS
  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

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.

  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • 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.

New Real Estate Listings in California Area
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What's it like Living in California?

California, Maryland is a medium-sized city with a population of 14,730 inhabitants. At 70%, the majority of the California population is White; this is followed by 20% Black and 2% Asian. 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 California, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in California could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Maryland 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. Finding the best places to live in California and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, education, employment and other important metrics.

The livability score in California is 71 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 81st percentile of all cities across America. Based on the rankings for each individual category, California has been rewarded with high marks for employment (A+) and housing (A). The bad news for California, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The California market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in California. 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 California are affordable. Median real estate prices in California come in at $283,300, which is 2.4% lower than the Maryland average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In California, the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 23.7% lower than the Maryland average.

Best Places to Live in and Around California

See all the best places to live around California

How Do You Rate The Livability In California?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
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Awful
25
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50
Average
75
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Compare California, MD Livability

      vs

      California transportation information

      Statistic California Maryland National
      Average one way commute26min32min26min
      Workers who drive to work86.3%73.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.9%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%8.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.3%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home6.1%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The California, MD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).