Livability Score

67
/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 D-

There are not many amenities close to this location.
Coffee (3) F
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Donut Basket
Coffee Shop
Cadillac Cafe
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (5) F
Green Valley Cinema 8
Cinema
William H Volck Museum
Museum
Watsonville Auditorium
Theatre Arts
Pajaro Valley Historical Association
Museum
Agricultural History Project Center and Museum
Museum
Crystal Bay Farm
Attraction
Campfire Center
Theatre Arts
Food and Drink (18) F
Del Taco
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Panda Express
Fast Food
Wendy's
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
Little Caesars
Fast Food
KFC
Fast Food
Jack in the Box
Fast Food
Wooden Nickle Bar & Grill
Bar
U Save Liquor
Alcohol
Carl's Jr.
Fast Food
Taco Bell
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Burger King
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Wargin Wines
Bar
MYKA Cellars
Bar
Fitness (1) F
Marinovich Community Center
Community Centre
Groceries (5) C-
La Princesa Market
Grocery Store
Bagel Cafe & Bakery
Bakery
Nob Hill Foods
Grocery Store
Don Rafa's
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Farm Fresh Produce
Grocery Store
Parks (66) A+
Starlight Park
Park
Ramsay Park
Park
Upper Struve Slough
Park
Hope Drive Park
Park
Memorial Pocket Park
Park
Gonzalez Pocket Park
Park
Peace Drive Park
Park
Callaghan Park
Park
Flodberg Park
Park
Kearney Park
Park
Arista Park
Park
Hazelwood Park
Park
Emmett Courts Park
Park
Davis Avenue Park
Park
Watsonville Slough
Park
Crestview Park
Park
Las Brisas Park
Park
Struve Slough
Park
E.H. Hall Park
Park
City Plaza Park
Park
Marinovich Park
Park
Seaview Ranch Park
Park
Cherry Blossom Park
Park
Riverside Mini Park
Park
Muzzio Park
Park
Shops (12) F
Target
Department Store
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Watsonville Cyclery
Bicycle
Valero
Convenience Store
The Home Depot
Home Improvement
Speedway
Convenience Store
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Big Lots
Department Store
Bridge Street Grocer
Convenience Store
J.C. Nails
Beauty
Chevron
Convenience Store
Orchard Park Market
Convenience Store
Four Corner's Market
Convenience Store
See more Watsonville amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 1.4% take public transportation in Watsonville.
Public Transit Stops (121)
Stops & Stations A+
Main Street & Pennsylvania Drive
Bus Stop
Main Street & Pennsylvania Drive
Bus Stop
Main Street & Auto Center Drive
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Montebello Drive
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Rosewood Drive
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Terry Loop
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Sherwood Court
Bus Stop
Main Street & Clifford Avenue
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Lassen Way
Bus Stop
Main Street & Ohlone Parkway
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Lassen Way
Bus Stop
Main Street & Rodriguez Street
Bus Stop
Main Street & Rodriguez Street
Bus Stop
Rodriguez Street & Main Street
Bus Stop
Rodriguez Street & Main Street
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Melrose Avenue
Bus Stop
Freedom Boulevard & Portola Circle
Bus Stop
Freedom Boulevard & Miles Lane
Bus Stop
Freedom Boulevard & Marin Street
Bus Stop
Freedom Boulevard & Stanford Street
Bus Stop
Lincoln Street & Prospect Street
Bus Stop
Freedom Boulevard & West High Street
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Crescent Drive
Bus Stop
Rodriguez Street & Ford Street
Bus Stop
Clifford Avenue & Crescent Drive
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
1.4% F
See more Watsonville commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in Watsonville is 153/100 - which is 10% higher than California.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax F
See more Watsonville cost of living data

crime F

Watsonville crime rates are 2,448 per 100k, which is 14% lower than California
Property Crime
1,862 crimes per 100k C-
Violent Crime
586 crimes per 100k F
See more Watsonville crime data

employment C

The median income in Watsonville is $61,496 - which is 4% lower than California.
Med. Household Income
$61,496 C-
Unemployment Rate
5.2% F
See more Watsonville employment data

health A+

There are not many hospitals, police and fire stations,
Health & Safety (9)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. B+
CVS Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Watsonville Health Center
Doctor
Joseph W Robb, D.D.S.
Doctor
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Watsonville Fire Department, Station Number 1
Fire Station
Watsonville Fire Station #2
Fire Station
Santa Cruz Ear Nose & Throat Medical Group
Doctor
Watsonville Community Hospital
Hospital
Rite Aid
Pharmacy
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A+
See more Watsonville health & safety data

housing B-

Watsonville home prices are $500,300 - which is 22% higher than California
Home Price
$500,300 A+
Home Appreciation Rate
28% A+
Home Affordability
8.1x (home price to income ratio) F
See more Watsonville housing data

schools F

The Watsonville graduation rate is 56% - which is 30% lower than California
School Test Scores
25% F
High School Grad. Rates
56% F
Elementary Schools (28) A+
Cesar E. Chavez Middle
Starlight Elementary
H. A. Hyde Elementary
Landmark Elementary
Moreland Notre Dame School
Radcliff Elementary
Green Valley Christian School
Duncan Holbert
Mintie White Elementary
Rolling Hills Middle
Watsonville Prep
Freedom Elementary
E. A. Hall Middle
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
T. S. Macquiddy Elementary
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Linscott Charter
Pacific Coast Charter
Ann Soldo Elementary
Amesti Elementary
Pajaro Middle
Lakeview Middle
Calabasas Elementary
Ohlone Elementary
Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts
High Schools (9) B-
Diamond Technology Institute
New School Community Day
Watsonville High
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Ceiba College Preparatory Academy
Pajaro Valley High
Santa Cruz County Career Advancement Charter
Pacific Coast Charter
St Francis High School Salesian College Prep
Monterey Bay Academy
See more Watsonville education data

ratings B-

Watsonville has an overall rating of 69% from 3 reviews.
User Reviews (1)
From AreaVibes B-
User Surveys (2)
From AreaVibes C+
See more Watsonville user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Watsonville, CA Area Guide

Photo of Watsonville, CA
( 3 Ratings )

Living in Watsonville, CA

Ranks better than 67% of areas Follow

Watsonville Area Facts

  • Watsonville has a Livability Score of 67/100, which is considered good
  • Watsonville crime rates are 14% lower than the California average
  • Cost of living in Watsonville is 10% higher than the California average

What do the locals think about Watsonville?

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

Write a review about Watsonville Tell people what you like or don't like about Watsonville…
Northern California Gem 3.5 rating By Anonymous ( Apr 17, 2015) I have lived in Watsonville, California for several years in the past. Watsonville lies just East of Santa Cruz on the Northern California coast and is typically a lot cheaper than the surrounding cities. Watsonville sits on a stretch of some of the most beautiful beaches that Ca ...Read More lifornia has to offer and is without a doubt one of the more affordable options for beach towns in Northern California. Less than an hour away from the bay area and situated right on the beach makes Watsonville a great city to live in if you can find work that doesn't require you to endure a long commute.

There are some drawbacks to the city, as there has been increased gang violence around the city consistently throughout the last decade. The fact that it is so close to Santa Cruz, which is also dramatically increasing in crime, is a growing concern for a great deal of the residents, but there are many neighborhoods and areas that are out of harm's way. Watsonville has become a sort of hub for illegal immigrants who work in and around the area and this can be a positive or negative based on your own individual perspective.

Although Watsonville has experienced an increase in the crime rate, most people that still live there today say they enjoy the charm of the small city, which is situated between a tall mountain range and the Northern California ocean. The beaches near Watsonville are about as close to empty as you can get for this stretch of coast, as the majority of people in the surrounding areas, either stick to Santa Cruz or head to Monterey, California, which is about thirty minutes south of Watsonville. There are certainly a lot of great things about Watsonville. If you can get a job that doesn't involve a long commute and can deal with some nearby gang violence it can be a rewarding place to live.
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Compare Watsonville, CA Livability

      vs

      D- Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Watsonville? Well, there are not many amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Starlight Park
      Ramsay Park
      Upper Struve Slough
      Hope Drive Park
      Memorial Pocket Park
      Gonzalez Pocket Park
      Peace Drive Park
      Callaghan Park

      Entertainment

      Green Valley Cinema 8
      William H Volck Museum
      Watsonville Auditorium
      Pajaro Valley Historical Association
      Agricultural History Project Center and Museum
      Crystal Bay Farm
      Campfire Center

      Food & Drink

      Del Taco
      McDonald's
      Panda Express
      Wendy's
      Burger King
      Little Caesars
      KFC
      Jack in the Box

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Watsonville? Of all people who commute, 1.4% take public transportation in Watsonville.
      Drive to Work
      71%

      6% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      1%

      4% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      1% lower than the US average

      F Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Watsonville? The cost of living in Watsonville is 153/100 - which is 10% higher than California.
      Watsonville
      153

      53% 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 Watsonville? Watsonville crime rates are 2,448, which are 14% lower than California
      Total Crime
      2,448 per 100k people

      5% higher than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 41

      5% higher than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      -7%

      Year over year crime is down

      C Employment

      What is the median income in Watsonville? The median income in Watsonville is $61,496 which is 4% lower than California.
      Median household income
      $61,49611% higher than the US average
      Income per capita
      $22,59524% lower than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      5%

      13% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

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

      Hospitals

      Watsonville Community Hospital

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      Rite Aid

      Doctors

      Watsonville Health Center
      Joseph W Robb, D.D.S.

      B- Housing

      What are Watsonville home prices? Watsonville home prices are $500,300 - which is 22% higher than California
      Median home value
      $500,300171% higher than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,50258% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      45%

      29% lower than the US average

      F Schools

      Does Watsonville have good schools? The Watsonville graduation rate is 56% - which is 30% lower than California
      High school grad. rates
      56%

      33% lower than the US average

      School test scores
      25%

      47% lower than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      21:1

      31% higher than the US average

      B- User Ratings

      Is Watsonville a good place to live? Watsonville has an overall rating of 69% from 3 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      69%

      3 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      70%

      1 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      66%

      2 total surveys

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