Living in Valley Center, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Valley Center · Census data 2020–2024
Valley Center has 11,119 residents with a median age of 42.1. The median household income is $132,361 (34% higher than the California median), the median home value is $883,700, the median rent is $1,750/month.
Valley Center at a glance
- Population
- 11,119
- Median age
- 42.1State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $132,361State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $883,700State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,750/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 92.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38.4%
- Average commute
- 38 min
Is Valley Center a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 34% higher than the California median; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 6.7%.
Cons: Home values 20% higher than the state median; an average commute of 38 minutes.
The weather is best in March to May and November.
Cost of living in Valley Center
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Valley Center the median home value is $883,700, 166% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,750 per month, which is 23.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,812 a month in housing costs.
Valley Center median household income
The median household income in Valley Center is $132,361 and the income per person is $52,880. 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Valley Center: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,887
- Owner-occupied
- 92.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 7.4%
- Vacant
- 11.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1988
- Average household size
- 3.23
Valley Center demographics
- Population
- 11,119
- Median age
- 42.1
- Under 18
- 20.6%
- 65 and older
- 22.3%
- Households
- 3,439
- Foreign-born
- 22.1%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Valley Center ›
Education in Valley Center
38.4% of adults 25 and older in Valley Center have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 11.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Valley Center
- Unemployment rate
- 3.7%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 38 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 18.1%
- Drive alone
- 71.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.2%
Valley Center vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Center | 11,119 | $132,361 | $883,700 | $1,750 |
| Hidden Meadows | 3,524 | $123,125 | $851,100 | $2,736 |
| Escondido | 149,668 | $91,967 | $714,500 | $2,046 |
| Pala | 914 | $106,250 | $305,600 | $1,263 |
| Bonsall | 4,332 | $113,537 | $958,700 | $2,336 |
| San Marcos | 94,882 | $109,377 | $868,000 | $2,348 |
| Harmony Grove | 2,585 | $227,140 | $1,231,600 | $3,501 |
| Vista | 99,114 | $94,975 | $762,400 | $2,249 |
| Lake San Marcos | 4,693 | $89,851 | $917,000 | $2,585 |
More for people moving to Valley Center
Valley Center ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Valley Center: FAQ
What is the median household income in Valley Center, CA?
The median household income in Valley Center is $132,361, 34% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Valley Center?
The median home value in Valley Center is $883,700, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Valley Center?
The median gross rent in Valley Center is $1,750 per month, about 23.7% of household income.
Is Valley Center, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 34% higher than the California median; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 6.7%. Minuses: home values 20% higher than the state median; an average commute of 38 minutes.
What is the median age in Valley Center?
The median age in Valley Center is 42.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Valley Center?
The average commute to work in Valley Center is 38 minutes; 18.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Valley Center?
The unemployment rate in Valley Center is 3.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Valley Center?
38.4% of adults in Valley Center have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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