What are the schools like in Kensington, CA?

Kensington is served primarily by West Contra Costa Unified. The district operates 38 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 8 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.0:1.

What is the median household income in Kensington?

The median household income in Kensington, CA is $199,808 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.3%.

What is the weather like in Kensington, CA?

Kensington has an average high temperature of 58.9°F in January and 74.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 22.8 inches.

Kensington, CA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Kensington, CA affordable or expensive?

Kensington's cost of living index is 118, where 100 represents the national average. This means Kensington is 18% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $1,307,300 and the median rent is $3,501 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Kensington, CA?

Kensington has a violent crime rate of 111.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1241.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Kensington, CA a Good Place to Live?

Kensington is a small town of 5,309 in California, with a median household income of $199,808 and a 6.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 118 (US average = 100), which is 18% above the national average.

Strengths: Kensington stands out for lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an above-average cost of living, high home prices, longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Kensington is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Kensington city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 118.2

Kensington's overall cost of living index is 118.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Kensington costs roughly 18% more than the average American city.

Metric	Kensington, CA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$1,307,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$3,501	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	85.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$199,808	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Kensington's violent crime rate is 111.2 per 100,000 residents — 71% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

111.2 /100k

Property Crime

1241.2 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Kensington is served primarily by West Contra Costa Unified. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22.0:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Kensington, CA	National Avg
School District	West Contra Costa Unified	—
Elementary Schools	38	—
Middle Schools	6	—
High Schools	8	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	22.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	83.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	98.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Kensington sees average highs of 58.9°F in January and 74.2°F in July, with 22.8 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Kensington, CA
Average High — January	58.9°F
Average High — July	74.2°F
Annual Precipitation	22.8"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Kensington, CA	National Avg
Population	5,309	—
Median Age	47.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	35.7 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	73.1%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.9%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.5%	18.9%
Asian	10.5%	6.3%
Under 18	22.5%	22.2%
65 and over	24.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

El Cerrito, CA 1 mi Albany, CA 2 mi Berkeley, CA 3 mi East Richmond Heights, CA 3 mi Emeryville, CA 5 mi

Kensington vs Other Cities

Kensington, CA vs El Cerrito, CA Kensington, CA vs Albany, CA Kensington, CA vs Berkeley, CA Kensington, CA vs East Richmond Heights, CA Kensington, CA vs Emeryville, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kensington, CA affordable or expensive?

Kensington's cost of living index is 118, where 100 is the national average. That puts Kensington roughly 18% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $1,307,300 and median rent is $3,501/month.

What is the crime rate in Kensington, CA?

Kensington's violent crime rate is 111.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1241.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Kensington?

Public schools in Kensington are operated by West Contra Costa Unified. The district has 38 elementary, 6 middle, and 8 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22.0:1. 83.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Kensington, CA a good place to live?

Kensington, CA has a population of 5,309, a median household income of $199,808, and an unemployment rate of 6.3%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Kensington?

Kensington averages 58.9°F in January and 74.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 22.8 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Kensington?

The population of Kensington, California is 5,309 with a median age of 47.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Kensington?

Key numbers for living in Kensington: cost of living index 118 (100 = US average), median home $1,307,300, median household income $199,808, crime index 41 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Kensington side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.