Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Carson, CA
Thinking about moving to Carson, CA? This vibrant city of 93,627 offers a diverse community, Mediterranean climate with 73% sunny days, and a median home price around $701,000. Carson features a moderate cost of living for Los Angeles County, with average rents near $2,080, and commute times averaging 32 minutes. The city is served by reputable schools, has strong healthcare options, and boasts convenient access to higher education at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Carson’s property and violent crime rates are moderate for the region, making it a well-rounded choice for families and professionals alike.
Demographics - Carson, CA
Demographics - Carson, CA
Carson is a diverse and densely populated city of about 93,600 residents, where the median age is just over 39. The community reflects a rich mix of ethnic backgrounds, with significant Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations, and nearly half of residents speak a language other than English at home.
Population:
93,627
Density:
4,900 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.3
Gender Ratio:
92 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
44%

Ethnic Composition
White:
12.0%
Black:
22.4%
Asian:
25.5%
Others:
40.1%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Carson, CA?
Living in Carson comes with a higher-than-average cost of living index of 153, driven primarily by housing costs, with the typical home valued at $701,000 and average rents around $2,080. Utilities and groceries are also above the national average, while California’s state income and property taxes apply.
Median House Value:
$701,000
Gross Rent:
$2,080
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$160
Auto Insurance:
$2,050
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,960
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$700
State Taxes:
Low:
1% (property tax)
|
High:
13.3% (income tax)
Cost Of Living Index:
153.2
Grocery:
110.4
Housing:
201.2
Utilities:
110.8
Transportation:
142.3
Health Care:
112.2
Miscellaneous:
106.5
Crime
Is Carson, CA a safe place to live?
Carson experiences moderate crime rates for the Los Angeles area, with a violent crime rate of 324 incidents per 100,000 people and property crime at 2,055 per 100,000. Most residents find the city reasonably safe, but it’s wise to stay aware of your surroundings.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
324
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,055
Crime Index:
2,379
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 308
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 48
Weather
What is the weather like in Carson, CA year-round?
Carson enjoys a Mediterranean climate, featuring mild winters with lows around 47°F and warm summers peaking at 84°F. The city benefits from about 73% sunny days each year and receives just over 13 inches of annual rainfall, making for generally pleasant weather.

Winter
Min:
47°F
Max:
68°F

Spring
Min:
53°F
Max:
75°F

Summer
Min:
63°F
Max:
84°F

Fall
Min:
56°F
Max:
80°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13.1 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
73%
Neighbors
Households in Carson have a median income near $91,000, with a poverty rate of about 10%. The area is educated, with over 84% of adults holding a high school diploma or higher, and average commutes take about 32 minutes, reflecting a well-established suburban community.
Median Income:
$41,000
Household Income:
$90,850
Family Income:
$96,200
Per Capita Income:
$28,800
Income Male:
$48,400
Income Female:
$43,700
Poverty Rate:
10.2%
Non English Speakers:
44%
Rent:
$2,080
Unemployment Rate:
5.8%
Public Transport Usage:
4.2%
Commute Time:
32.4 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
84.1%
Bachelors or More:
25.7%
Education
How are the schools in Carson, CA?
Carson offers a range of educational options, including well-rated public schools like Carson High and Curtiss Middle, as well as private and parochial schools. Higher education is easily accessible, with California State University, Dominguez Hills located within the city and El Camino College just a short drive away.

Public Schools
Name:
Carson High School
Street:
22328 S. Main St
Phone:
310-847-6000
Students:
1,300
Student Teacher Ratio:
22.1
Name:
Curtiss Middle School
Street:
1254 E. Helmick St
Phone:
310-783-3600
Students:
800
Student Teacher Ratio:
20.7

Private Schools
Name:
Saint Philomena School
Street:
23808 S. Main St
Phone:
310-835-6000
Students:
340

Colleges
Name:
California State University, Dominguez Hills
City:
Carson
State:
CA
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
17,750
Name:
El Camino College
City:
Torrance
State:
CA
Distance:
6 miles
Students:
22,000
Healthcare
Carson residents have access to major hospitals like Kaiser Permanente South Bay and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center nearby, and the area boasts a strong physician presence with 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people. Over 91% of residents are insured, contributing to good overall healthcare access.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center
Address:
25825 S Vermont Ave, Harbor City, CA 90710
Phone:
(310) 517-1000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Address:
1000 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90502
Phone:
(424) 306-4000
Type:
General & Teaching
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.6
Health Insurance Coverage:
91.1%
Health Care Index:
71.4
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Carson, CA?
The Carson housing market is characterized by high demand and stability, with a median home price of $701,000 and owner-occupancy at 73%. Rental vacancies are low at 3.8%, and home values have appreciated by 4.6% in the past year.
Median Home Price:
$701,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,080
Owner Occupied Rate:
73.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
3.8%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.6%
New Construction Rate:
2.4%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.7%
DMV Information
Carson residents are served by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, conveniently located on W. Carson St in nearby Torrance. The DMV handles all vehicle registration and licensing needs, and appointments can be made online or by phone.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
701 W. Carson St, Torrance, CA 90502
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.