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Is Vandenberg AFB, CA a Good Place to Live?
Vandenberg AFB is a small town of 3,681 in California, with a median household income of $69,031 and a 11.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 114 (US average = 100), which is 14% above the national average.
Strengths: Vandenberg AFB stands out for a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an above-average cost of living, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Vandenberg AFB is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Vandenberg AFB 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: 113.5Vandenberg AFB's overall cost of living index is 113.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Vandenberg AFB costs roughly 14% more than the average American city.
| Metric | Vandenberg AFB, CA | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | N/A | $244,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,313 | $1,163 |
| Homeownership Rate | 0.0% | 65.9% |
| Median Household Income | $69,031 | $74,755 |
Crime & Safety
Safer than AverageVandenberg AFB's violent crime rate is 285.3 per 100,000 residents — 25% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Vandenberg AFB is served primarily by Manzanita Public Charter District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 25.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
| Metric | Vandenberg AFB, CA | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| School District | Manzanita Public Charter District | — |
| Elementary Schools | 1 | — |
| Middle Schools | N/A | — |
| High Schools | N/A | — |
| Student/Teacher Ratio | 25.4:1 | 16:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% | 35.4% |
| High School Diploma or Higher | 100.0% | 91.1% |
Weather & Climate
Vandenberg AFB sees average highs of 64.7°F in January and 72.5°F in July, with 15.4 inches of annual precipitation .
| Metric | Vandenberg AFB, CA |
|---|---|
| Average High — January | 64.7°F |
| Average High — July | 72.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | Trace / None |
Demographics
| Metric | Vandenberg AFB, CA | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,681 | — |
| Median Age | 24.4 | 38.9 |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.4% | 3.7% |
| Avg Commute Time | 10.8 min | 26 min |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 63.5% | 59.3% |
| Black or African American | 15.2% | 13.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5.3% | 18.9% |
| Asian | 3.9% | 6.3% |
| Under 18 | 28.8% | 22.2% |
| 65 and over | 0.3% | 16.8% |
Nearby Cities
ZIP Codes in Vandenberg AFB
Vandenberg AFB, CA is covered by 1 ZIP code: