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Capitola

#13 in Best Places to Live in Santa Cruz County
  • B
    Overall Grade
  • Town in California
  • 18 reviews
    B
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      B+
    2. Crime & Safety
      C
    3. Housing
      D+
    4. Nightlife
      A
    5. Good for Families
      B
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      B-
    8. Weather
      A+
    9. Cost of Living
      D+
    10. Health & Fitness
      A
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A
    12. Commute
      B+
    View Full Report Card
    Capitola is a town in California with a population of 10,158. Capitola is in Santa Cruz County. Living in Capitola offers residents an urban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Capitola there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals and retirees live in Capitola and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Capitola are above average.
    Population
    10,158

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $585,100
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $1,688
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Urban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      52%
    • Own
      48%
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    Capitola Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      137
      282.7
    • Murder
      9.8
      6.1
    • Rape
      48.9
      40.7
    • Robbery
      137
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      489.1
      500.1
    • Theft
      5,282.7
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      313.1
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      11%
    • 10-17 years
      8%
    • 18-24 years
      8%
    • 25-34 years
      16%
    • 35-44 years
      12%
    • 45-54 years
      12%
    • 55-64 years
      14%
    • 65+ years
      20%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      15%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      21%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      36%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      20%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      7%
      13%

    Working in Capitola

    Jobs
    B-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $69,016
    National
    $55,322
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      Capitola Reviews

      18 reviews
      All Categories
      Capitola is a friendly and diverse beach community but due to it being within close perimeters of Santa Cruz, the traffic is frequently congested which is quite frustrating for locals. Due to its high pricing in both real estate and high end businesses, it is difficult for those who work locally to manage their living wages when considering how expensive it is to live here. A lot of the real estate is bought out by families living in San Jose and Silicon Valleys as vacation homes and rentals for profit, which has frustrated locals who struggle to get by but want a future for their families and for themselves. Yet despite this persisting issue, Capitola is a gorgeous location and welcoming environment that I am grateful to have been raised in.
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      Super safe, and just all around a great place to live. Everyone is super friendly and most people know each other around town. Steps from the beach this little town is full of adventure and will make you feel at home immediately. There is a large focus on healthy and sustainable living, which feeds into the positive energy throughout the town. The only downfall is the price, it is a bit much to live here but if you can afford it, I would highly recommend looking into it.
      Capitola is an extremely safe and entertaining town to live in. I live close to the beach, stores, and lots of restaurants! The cost of living is high due to the face that you are always close to the ocean. There is a lot of traffic within the area.