Mission Viejo 72 Excellent
Mission Viejo Livability #191 ranked city in California#5,559 ranked city in the USARanks better than 81% of areas

Mission Viejo, CA - A Master-Planned Community

Mission Viejo, CA, known as 'A Master-Planned Community,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Orange County, Mission Viejo is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Irvine (17 miles) and Anaheim (25 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Mission Viejo's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Mission Viejo is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Oso Creek Trail, the historic Mission Viejo Library, and the scenic Lake Mission Viejo. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Mission Viejo Country Club to the bustling The Shops at Mission Viejo, known for its shopping and dining. Mission Viejo's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Mission Viejo Film Festival and the Arts Alive Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Mission Viejo's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Saddleback College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Mission Viejo is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Potocki Center for the Arts and the Saddleback College Art Gallery are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Mission Viejo provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Mission Viejo’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) and the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) in nearby Anaheim, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Mission Viejo include healthcare, education, and retail, with significant employers such as Mission Hospital and Saddleback Valley Unified School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and nearby Metrolink services, making commuting convenient for residents...

Pros and Cons of Living in Mission Viejo

PROS
  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

New Real Estate Listings in Mission Viejo Area
Search Homes for Sale in Mission Viejo, CA

What's it like Living in Mission Viejo?

Mission Viejo, California is a moderately-sized city with a population of 95,638 inhabitants. With a population density of 5,416 people per square mile, Mission Viejo is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of Mission Viejo residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Mission Viejo, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 28 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Mission Viejo, California could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Mission Viejo and in the areas around Mission Viejo is a much easier task.

The livability score in Mission Viejo is 72/100 and the city is ranked in the 84th percentile of all cities across America. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Mission Viejo has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+) and education (A+). There are some categories that Mission Viejo scores poorly for, including: amenities (D-) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Mission Viejo gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 91 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Mission Viejo, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 2.68% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo. The median home price for Mission Viejo homes is $732,100, which is 78.9% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Mission Viejo, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6, which is 6.3% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Mission Viejo

See all the best places to live around Mission Viejo

How Do You Rate The Livability In Mission Viejo?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Mission Viejo, CA Livability

      vs

      Mission Viejo transportation information

      Statistic Mission Viejo California National
      Average one way commute28min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.5%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.8%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home12.5%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Mission Viejo, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).