Pacific Grove, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Pacific Grove is a small city in California with a population of 15,003. Residents earn $105,568 per year, which is 40% above the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
15,003 Population 5,228/sq mi density
$105,568 Median Income $66,784 per capita
$1,129,400 Home Value $1,369,799 Zillow
$2,384 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
192 Violent Crime/100K 1,928 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$105,568 median income, 3.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,129,400 home value, $2,384/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
192 violent crimes/100K (49% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
58.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $105,568
40% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,129,400
301% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 192/100K
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 58.5%
74% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,384
105% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.8%
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population15,003
Median Age50.3 yrs
Density5,228/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A+
Median Income$105,568
Per Capita$66,784
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$38,345M
Commute21 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,129,400
Rent$2,384
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,369,799

Crime

F
Violent192/100K
Property1,928/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault147/100K
Burglary314/100K

Health

Obesity25.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain20.4 in/yr
Elevation175 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+58.5%
High School+96.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 63%
Commute21 min
EV Stations16
Libraries28

Is Pacific Grove a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pacific Grove receives an overall livability score of 3.0 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. Pacific Grove offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pacific Grove is $105,568, which is significantly higher than the national average — 40% above $75,149. This places Pacific Grove among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Pacific Grove is $1,129,400, making it a premium housing market at 301% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,384 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 10.7x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Pacific Grove is below the national average at 192 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,928 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Pacific Grove is a highly educated community — 58.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Pacific Grove enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Pacific Grove has a population of 15,003 with a density of 5,228 people per square mile. The median age is 50.3 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.2%), with 3.8% Hispanic.

Population

15,003
Total Population
5,228
People / sq mi
50.3yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Pacific Grove vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only82.7%
5% above US avg
Spanish17.3%
29% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Pacific Grove vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pacific Grove is $105,568, which is 40% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Pacific Grove vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$105,568
40% above US avg
Per Capita Income$66,784
Avg Weekly Wage$1,180
IRS Avg AGI$86,133

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)15,844
County GDP$38,345M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,118
Healthcare1,013
Retail1,276
Manufacturing284

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,044
158% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.0 min
Work from Home18.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Pacific Grove is $1,129,400, 301% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,384 (105% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,369,799.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,129,400
301% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,369,799
Median List Price$1,662,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,662,500
$/Sq Ft$955
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio99.4%
Price Drops35.5%
Inventory31

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,384
105% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,060

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-Occupied48.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,044
158% above US avg
Effective Rate0.80%
In Pacific Grove, 25.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.7% report depression. 15.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Pacific Grove vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.8%
20% below US avg
Diabetes7.3%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma10.0%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.5%
Physical Inactivity15.1%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death6,114/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access89.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,013
Pacific Grove has a violent crime rate of 192 per 100,000 residents, 49% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,928 per 100,000 (2% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent192.2/100K
49% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape38.4/100K
Robbery6.4/100K
Assault147.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,928.0/100K
2% below US avg
Burglary313.9/100K
Theft1,466.8/100K
Vehicle Theft147.3/100K
Arson19.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)49

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Pacific Grove has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation is 20.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

52°F Jan (11°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average56.8°F
5% above US avg
January Average52°F (11°C)
July Average60°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall20.4 inches
46% below US avg
Snowfall0.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation175 ft (53 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.4 km²)
Population Density5,228/sq mi
Coordinates36.6226°N, 121.9264°W
County FIPS06053
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 58.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 29.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.6%
D 63.4%

Winner: Democrat by 29.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+58.5%
74% above US avg
High School+96.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density5,228/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations16
Alt Fuel Stations16
Public Libraries28
Healthcare Facilities1,013
Restaurants1,118
Retail Stores1,276

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)49
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.0 min
Work from Home18.0%

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