Firstly why Vacaville, California?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Vacaville
- State: California
- Population: 100,359 people
- Vacaville’s quick summary would be Celebrated for its thriving shopping centers and proximity to the scenic Lagoon Valley Park.
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: 7,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 5,000 annually
- Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,000
- Number of Homeless people: 250
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a suburban lifestyle and good schools attracting families
Perk #1: Vacaville Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 30%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 66%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $67,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Vacaville is $67,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral 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 & Vacaville’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,135
- Property Tax %: 1.07%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,400
- Rent for an average house: $2,100
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Vacaville
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Vacaville, Dixon, Winters, Fairfield, and probably could include Suisun-City
- Avg. Age of Homes in Vacaville: 28 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.3%
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 & Vacaville’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Vacaville are Retail, Education, and Healthcare
- Vacaville Job Scene: moderate job market primarily in healthcare and retail
- The General Tech Scene: developing tech presence with emphasis on logistics and renewable energy , ,
- Vacaville Resident’s pay $1,000 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Vacaville: 8.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 70 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 7
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 Vacaville
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-80 offers travel options through Vacaville
- Commute Time: 25 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: slowdowns near the Nut Tree Airport
- Transportation Score: 30 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Vacaville: 47,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.5
- No. of Car Washes: 3 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Vacaville: dmv.ca.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
- Local Airport: Travis Air Force Base
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: Vacaville’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
- General Weather in Vacaville is best described as has hot dry summers with temperatures exceeding 100°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall
- Winter Weather in Vacaville i’d describe as cool and dry
- Spring Weather in Vacaville can be described as warm with occasional rain
- Summer’s in Vacaville are mostly hot and dry
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Vacaville is usually warm and sunny
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 25 days in summer
- Days in a row in Vacaville below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 20 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality predominantly due to rural areas
- Vacaville Winter Air generally good air quality occasional pollution spikes
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: Vacaville Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Vacaville 1
- While the number of trade schools inside Vacavilles’s city limits are 1
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Vacaville 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 & Vacaville Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Vacaville only Doctors is about 30
- Local Hospitals here is 2
- Full-time Vacaville only Police Officers is about 90
- Crime Rate Index: 25/100
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
- Vacaville’s Monthly utility bill average is $160
- Vacaville’s Monthly Gym Membership: $55
- Vacaville’s Water Quality Score: 69
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 Vacaville
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 7 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: rural charm with growing suburban areas and parks
- You might enjoy live performances at local venues
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Vacaville offers local dining options and friendly bars providing a community atmosphere for night outings
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 Vacaville
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers local diners casual dining and chain options
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 30 scattered around Vacaville
- The Popular Sports Team is Vacaville High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Vacaville can be described as politically mixed suburb with a growing progressive influence
- Vacaville’s Longer standing religious establishment is Vacaville Christian 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: Vacaville Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Vacaville has 25 Parks?
- Vaca Valley Park is Vacaville’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Vacaville Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-12pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, 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: Vacaville Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Vacaville can be described as small-town feel paired with suburban growth and family activities
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Vacaville exploring local parks community events sports activities
- The Cities people commute to from Vacaville are Fairfield 12 miles away Napa 24 miles away Vallejo 20 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 Vacaville 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: slowdowns near the Nut Tree Airport. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Vacaville’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Vacaville is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Vacaville are Fairfield 12 miles away Napa 24 miles away Vallejo 20 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 25 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Vacaville has 0 days in a row below freezing and 25 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 Vacaville people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
250 homeless people living in Vacaville. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general politically mixed suburb with a growing progressive influence 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 Vacaville.
Retiree & Senior Life in Vacaville
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might benefit from property tax programs alleviating housing responsibilities
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Parkside
- Vacaville Senior Center provides meal programs recreational activities and social events
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 Vacaville, California?
If Vacaville, 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 Vacaville, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!