Benicia, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Benicia is a small city in California with a population of 26,861. Residents earn $125,040 per year, which is 66% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
26,861 Population 2,097/sq mi density
$125,040 Median Income $62,347 per capita
$778,600 Home Value $773,439 Zillow
$2,234 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
94 Violent Crime/100K 1,743 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$125,040 median income, 2.5% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$778,600 home value, $2,234/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
94 violent crimes/100K (75% below avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
45.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $125,040
66% higher than US avg
Home Value $778,600
176% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 94/100K
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 45.5%
35% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,234
92% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.5%
11% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.2%
50% lower than US avg

How Benicia Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population26,861
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density2,097/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

A+
Median Income$125,040
Per Capita$62,347
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty6.2%
County GDP$14,592M
Commute31 min

Housing

B
Home Value$778,600
Rent$2,234
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$773,439

Crime

F
Violent94/100K
Property1,743/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault50/100K
Burglary522/100K

Health

Obesity28.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.1%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain21.5 in/yr
Elevation395 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+45.5%
High School+95.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 31% / D 66%
Commute31 min
EV Stations9
Libraries5

Is Benicia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Benicia receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Benicia offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Benicia is $125,040, which is significantly higher than the national average — 66% above $75,149. This places Benicia among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Benicia is $778,600, making it a premium housing market at 176% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,234 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.2x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Benicia is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 94 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,743 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 45.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Benicia enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Benicia has a population of 26,861 with a density of 2,097 people per square mile. The median age is 45.1 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64.3%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 3.5% Black.

Population

26,861
Total Population
2,097
People / sq mi
45.1yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
12.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Benicia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only81.2%
3% above US avg
Spanish18.8%
40% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Benicia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Benicia is $125,040, which is 66% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Benicia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$125,040
66% above US avg
Per Capita Income$62,347
Avg Weekly Wage$1,363
IRS Avg AGI$128,075

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.2%
50% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,535
County GDP$14,592M

Business (County)

Restaurants445
Healthcare452
Retail492
Manufacturing522

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,079
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.9 min
Work from Home20.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Benicia is $778,600, 176% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,234 (92% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $773,439.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$778,600
176% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$773,439
Median List Price$854,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$854,500
$/Sq Ft$426
Homes Sold18
Sale-to-List Ratio100.4%
Price Drops11.5%
Inventory52

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,234
92% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,586

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,079
188% above US avg
Effective Rate1.29%
In Benicia, 28.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.1% report depression. 18.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Benicia vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.5%
11% below US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure27.2%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity18.6%
Depression22.1%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.4%
Checkup Rate71.0%
Premature Death5,210/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access95.1%
Healthcare Facilities452
Benicia has a violent crime rate of 94 per 100,000 residents, 75% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,743 per 100,000 (11% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Benicia vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent93.6/100K
75% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape14.4/100K
Robbery28.8/100K
Assault50.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,743.1/100K
11% below US avg
Burglary522.2/100K
Theft1,019.2/100K
Vehicle Theft201.7/100K
Arson28.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Benicia has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 21.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall21.5 inches
43% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation395 ft (120 m)
Area12.8 sq mi (33.2 km²)
Population Density2,097/sq mi
Coordinates38.0727°N, 122.1552°W
County FIPS06055
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 45.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 34.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 31.1%
D 65.9%

Winner: Democrat by 34.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+45.5%
35% above US avg
High School+95.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,097/sq mi
Total Area12.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations11
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities452
Restaurants445
Retail Stores492

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.9 min
Work from Home20.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Benicia with another city: