Firstly why Carson, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Carson
• State: California
• Population: 101,508 people
• Carson’s quick summary would be Carson residents navigate the 405-110 interchange daily and recognize Dignity Health Sports Park as a local landmark.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 25,000 annually
• Net Migration: -17000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,000
• Number of Homeless people: 600

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers diverse culture and affordable housing appealing to families

Perk #1: Carson Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 48%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $76,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Carson is $74,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-2000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Carson’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 140 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,874
• Property Tax %: 1.2%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,100
• Rent for an average house: $2,300
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Carson Plaza
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Carson, Dominguez-Hills, Wilmington, Los-Angeles, and probably could include Gardena
• Avg. Age of Homes in Carson: 66 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Carson’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Carson are  Manufacturing, Retail, and Transportation
• Carson Job Scene: diverse job market in retail and manufacturing
• The General Tech Scene: modest tech community with some focus on logistics and urban development , ,
• Carson Resident’s pay $1,600 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Carson: 10.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 190 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 11

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Carson

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $150 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-405 runs along Carson facilitating local and regional travel
• Commute Time: 27 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: heavy backups on the I-405
• Transportation Score: 55 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Carson: 75,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.7
• No. of Car Washes: 8 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Carson: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 65 of 100
• Local Airport: Los Angeles International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Carson’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
• General Weather in Carson is best described as has mild winters with cool temperatures and warm summers with occasional heat waves
• Winter Weather in Carson i’d describe as mild with sunny weather
• Spring Weather in Carson can be described as warm with low humidity
• Summer’s in Carson are mostly warm and mild
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Carson is usually mild and pleasant
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 40 days in summer
• Days in a row in Carson below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 16 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality primarily from urban pollution
• Carson Winter Air average air quality affected by nearby industry

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Carson Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Carson 5
• While the number of trade schools inside Carsons’s city limits are 7
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Carson City Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Carson Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Carson only Doctors is about 120
• Local Hospitals here is  6
• Full-time Carson only Police Officers is about 300
• Crime Rate Index: 50/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Carson’s Monthly utility bill average is $190
• Carson’s Monthly Gym Membership: $60
• Carson’s Water Quality Score: 74

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Carson

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 9 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: suburb of Los Angeles known for its retail and community activities
• You might enjoy local musical events at the Carson Community Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Carson  offers local bars and restaurants perfect for gathering with friends for social nights

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Carson

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a variety of ethnic restaurants and family-owned eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 40 scattered around Carson
• The Popular Sports Team is Carson High School
• Top Level Political Climate in Carson can be described as diverse urban area with mixed political views emphasizing social issues
• Carson’s Longer standing religious establishment is First Baptist Church of Carson

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Carson Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Carson has 36 Parks?
• Carson Park is Carson’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Carson Farmers Market normally open Tuesday 3pm-7pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Running, hiking, and parks

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Carson Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Carson can be described as moderate suburban life with diverse amenities
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Carson art workshops local fairs library activities outdoor sports
• The Cities people commute to from Carson are Los-Angeles 13 miles away Torrance 8 miles away Long-Beach 15 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Carson or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: heavy backups on the I-405. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Carson’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Carson Plaza is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Carson are Los-Angeles 13 miles away Torrance 8 miles away Long-Beach 15 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 50 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Carson has 0 days in a row below freezing and 40 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Carson people have an average (positive or negative) $-2000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   600 homeless people living in Carson. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse urban area with mixed political views emphasizing social issues could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Carson.

Retiree & Senior Life in Carson

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access local property tax programs designed for affordability
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Carson Park
• Carson Senior Center hosts various recreational activities educational classes and meals

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Carson, California?

If Carson, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Carson, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!