Firstly why Corona, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Corona
- State: California
- Population: 169,868 people
- Corona’s quick summary would be Known for the vibrant arts scene and the annual Corona Festival of the Arts.
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: 15,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 20,000 annually
- Net Migration: -5000 less people annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 6,000
- Number of Homeless people: 800
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it affords affordable living while being close to Los Angeles appealing to commuters
Perk #1: Corona Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 34%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 57%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $77,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Corona is $79,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $2000 in positive 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 & Corona’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 145 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,891
- Property Tax %: 1.07%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,750
- Rent for an average house: $2,700
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Eagle Glen
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Corona, Norco, Riverside, Eastvale, and probably could include Lake-Matthew
- Avg. Age of Homes in Corona: 42 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.4%
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 & Corona’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Corona are Manufacturing, Retail, and Healthcare
- Corona Job Scene: diverse job market in manufacturing and retail sectors
- The General Tech Scene: growing tech presence in logistics, manufacturing, and software development
- Corona Resident’s pay $1,300 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Corona: 7.75%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 160 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 15
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 Corona
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $170 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-15 fosters extensive commuter traffic through Corona
- Commute Time: 26 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: backups on I-15 near the 91 interchange
- Transportation Score: 38 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Corona: 140,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.8
- No. of Car Washes: 12 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Corona: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 61 of 100
- Local Airport: Ontario 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: Corona’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
- General Weather in Corona is best described as experiences mild winters with cool temperatures and hot dry summers with occasional high heat
- Winter Weather in Corona i’d describe as mild with sunny spells
- Spring Weather in Corona can be described as warm with low humidity
- Summer’s in Corona are mostly hot and dry
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Corona is usually mild with low rainfall
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 56 days in summer
- Days in a row in Corona below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 20 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality impacted by traffic and emissions
- Corona Winter Air average air quality with seasonal variations due to fog and smog
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: Corona Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Corona 3
- While the number of trade schools inside Coronas’s city limits are 3
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Corona Public 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 & Corona Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Corona only Doctors is about 70
- Local Hospitals here is 5
- Full-time Corona only Police Officers is about 200
- Crime Rate Index: 55/100
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
- Corona’s Monthly utility bill average is $200
- Corona’s Monthly Gym Membership: $56
- Corona’s Water Quality Score: 70
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 Corona
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 9 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: growing city with suburban charm and many outdoor activities
- You might enjoy concerts at the Lake Norco Amphitheater
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Corona features a mix of bars and restaurants where locals gather for sports events and entertainment
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 Corona
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Features family eateries fast food and casual dining options
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 60 scattered around Corona
- The Popular Sports Team is Corona High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Corona can be described as suburb with a mix of political views leaning slightly conservative
- Corona’s Longer standing religious establishment is Discovery Community Church
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: Corona Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Corona has 41 Parks?
- Civic Center Park is Corona’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Corona Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Mountain biking, hiking, and picnicking
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: Corona Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Corona can be described as moderately paced city with a diverse population and amenities
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Corona participating in sports local festivals visiting community parks
- The Cities people commute to from Corona are Riverside 18 miles away Ontario 20 miles away Moreno-Valley 29 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 Corona 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.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: backups on I-15 near the 91 interchange. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Corona’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Eagle Glen is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Corona are Riverside 18 miles away Ontario 20 miles away Moreno-Valley 29 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Corona has 0 days in a row below freezing and 56 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Corona people have an average (positive or negative) $2000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
800 homeless people living in Corona. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general suburb with a mix of political views leaning slightly conservative 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 Corona.
Retiree & Senior Life in Corona
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access tax deductions based on age and income
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Corona
- Corona Senior Center offers classes health programs and social events for seniors
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 Corona, California?
If Corona, 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 Corona, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!