Signals
Isla Vista
Grass Valley
Opportunity
46 · Bottom 28%
vs43 · Bottom 22%
Climate
89 · Top 8%
vs73 · Top 37%
Physical resilience
20 · Bottom 13%
vs19 · Bottom 12%
Housing affordability
0 · Bottom 1%
vs21 · Bottom 1%
Access
74 · Bottom 16%
vs79 · Bottom 21%
Economic stability
29 · Bottom 6%
vs31 · Bottom 8%
Measured values
| Metric | Isla Vista | Grass Valley | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,920 | 14,113 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $25,972 | $51,764 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $14,110 | $34,640 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 25,263/sq mi | 2,354/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $1,218,800 | $482,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,878 | $1,458 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 1.2% | 40.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.7% | -2.0% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.7% | 32.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 70.4% | 22.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 71°F | 78°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 43°F | 34°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.0" | 62.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 48 mi | 43 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 17.5 min | 17.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 21.2 | 49.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Isla Vista
Elevated or high exposure: landslide, drought, earthquake.
Grass Valley
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake, inland flooding.
Your best match
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Isla Vista
43
Your Score
—
Area Score
Grass Valley
46
Your Score
43
Area Score
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Full profiles: Isla Vista, CA · Grass Valley, CA · How this is calculated: methodology