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A+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Public Schools
    A
  2. Crime & Safety
    NG
  3. Housing
    C+
  4. Nightlife
    A
  5. Good for Families
    A+
  6. Diversity
    A-
  7. Jobs
    A-
  8. Weather
    A+
  9. Cost of Living
    D+
  10. Health & Fitness
    A+
  11. Outdoor Activities
    A
  12. Commute
    A-
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Population
29,596

Real Estate

Median Home Value
$1,107,600
National
$184,700
Median Rent
$1,849
National
$949
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Area Feel
Urban
Rent vs. Own
  • Rent
    29%
  • Own
    71%

San Carlos 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
NG
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Violent Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Assault
    —
    283
  • Murder
    —
    6
  • Rape
    —
    41
  • Robbery
    —
    136
Property Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Burglary
    —
    500
  • Theft
    —
    2,043
  • Motor Vehicle Theft
    —
    284

Residents

Diversity
A-
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$135,220
National
$55,322
Children
21%
Education Levels
National
  • Master's degree or higher
    29%
    12%
  • Bachelor's degree
    35%
    19%
  • Some college or associate's degree
    24%
    29%
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    10%
    28%
  • Less than high school diploma
    3%
    13%
  • Public Schools
  • Private Schools
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San Carlos Reviews

46 reviews
All Categories
San Carlos is okay. We moved here from the East Bay just short of one year ago to work at a nearby university. I miss the East Bay (and before that Marin and before that San Francisco). It's good for small children, but it seems a bit small-townish for our growing kiddos and a bit dull. The schools are good, not stellar. The nearby high schools in the town or Belmont definitely have issues. It's halfway between San Jose and SF, so on paper that's a plus...just try to scoot around the traffic. Lamorinda, Danville, Berkeley, event parts of Oakland and all of Piedmont are better places to live, IMO. And the houses are Brady-Bunch-cute updated but the housing bubble will burst soon and they will come down to a more affordable price point. That will make the town even more attractive!
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We've lived in San Carlos for 4 years now and love it more each year, especially since starting a family. We love the walkability to restaurants, grocery store, Burton Park, story-time at the Reading Bug, world class live Jazz at Savanna Jazz, great library, and so many family-friendly activities. We love the engaged community feeling here, and the down-to-earth people who live here. It feels charming and close-knit but with lots of things to do. There's even a brewery (Devil's Canyon) and winery in town, with Friday evening food trucks at the brewery. There's also a ton of convenient stuff nearby like a Home Depot, San Carlos Airport, Hiller Aviation Museum, and In-N-Out.
We lived in San Carlos for 5 years, and put both our sons through the schools. Their education was excellent, caring and ushered both boys towards their goals in high school. We loved living here, but it is much too expensive. We were forced out by housing prices that were ridiculous. We loved the social aspects of San Carlos, the wonderful community and the many, many family friendly activities. I wish we still lived there!