California is a small town of 5,328 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $46,471
and a 10.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
California stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether California is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All California 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: 94.4
California's overall cost of living index is 94.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in California costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
California, PA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$115,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$753
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
44.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$46,471
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
California's violent crime rate is 404.4 per 100,000 residents
— 6% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
404.4 /100k
Property Crime
1172.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
California is served primarily by California Area SD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
California, PA
National Avg
School District
California Area SD
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
24.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
California sees average highs of 39.0°F in January
and 85.0°F in July,
with 40.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 10.3 inches of snow per year.
California's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes California roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $115,200 and median rent is $753/month.
California's violent crime rate is 404.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1172.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in California are operated by California Area SD.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1. 24.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
California, PA has a population of 5,328, a median household income of $46,471, and an unemployment rate of 10.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
California averages 39.0°F in January and 85.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.9 inches
with about 10.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
California, PA is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 15423, 15419, 15427.
The population of California, Pennsylvania is 5,328 with a median age of 21.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in California: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $115,200, median household income $46,471, crime index 86 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare California side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
