Vista, CA Local Data & Statistics

State: CA

Total population: 99,114 Household income: $94,975 Rent: $2,249

Overview

Total population

99,114

Rent

$2,249

Year built

1985

Household income

$94,975

Per capita income

$42,149

Poverty rate

10.5%

Unemployment rate

4.1%

Household size

3.0 persons

Rent over 30% of income

57.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

California

Total population

99,114

Adults over 25

65,414

Total households

32,323

Household size

3.0 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$94,975

Per capita income

$42,149

Poverty rate

10.5%

Unemployment rate

4.1%

Rent over 30% of income

57.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$2,249

Year built

1985

Households that rent

48.3%

Households that own

51.7%

Rooms per home (all homes)

4.6

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

41.1%

Black

2.8%

Asian

5.8%

Two or more races

34.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

49.4%

Not Hispanic or Latino

50.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

83.8%

Commute time to work

27 mins

Work from home

16.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

38%

High school graduate or GED

22.8%

Some college or associate degree

9.9%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

29.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Vista, CA with: California United States

Vista, CA

Total population99,114

Rent$2,249

Year built1985

Household income$94,975

Per capita income$42,149

Poverty rate10.5%

Unemployment rate4.1%

California State

Total population39,287,377

Rent$2,036

Year built1976

Household income$99,122

Per capita income$49,513

Poverty rate12%

Unemployment rate5.3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityVista, CA	StateCalifornia	CountryUnited States
Total population	99,114	39,287,377	334,922,499
Rent	$2,249	$2,036	$1,413
Year built	1985	1976	1980
Household income	$94,975	$99,122	$80,734
Per capita income	$42,149	$49,513	$44,673
Poverty rate	10.5%	12%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	4.1%	5.3%	4%

View the complete comparison of Vista, CA, California and United States →

Summary for Vista, CA

Vista is located in California.

Rent & Income

In Vista, the typical monthly rent is $2,249 and the typical household income is $94,975. Rent here is higher than both California and the U.S., and household income is similar to California and higher than the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 10.5%, which is lower than in both California and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 48.3% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 57.6% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 29.3% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is lower than California and similar to the national rate.

Vista, CA — Rent vs Household Income

Vista, CA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Vista, CA compares in California (180 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$2,249	105 / 180	from lower rent	$1,148 – $3,501
Household income	$94,975	107 / 180	from higher income	$57,719 – $234,707
Poverty rate	10.5%	93 / 180	from lower poverty	4.1% – 26.5%
Unemployment rate	4.1%	57 / 180	from lower unemployment	2.9% – 18.2%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in California with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Vista, CA

Rent

When it comes to rent costs, Vista places 105th among 180 large places in California. Across the state, rents run from $1,148 in Porterville, CA up to $3,501 in Cupertino, CA.

Household income

In terms of household income, Vista comes in 107th among 180 major places. Across California, income levels vary from $57,719 in Hemet, CA to $234,707 in Cupertino, CA.

Poverty rate

In poverty comparisons, Vista ranks 93rd out of 180 large places. Statewide rates vary from 4.1% in Cupertino, CA to 26.5% in Davis, CA.

Unemployment rate

In terms of unemployment, Vista is ranked 57th out of 180 major areas. Across California, rates go from 2.9% in Santa Barbara, CA up to 18.2% in Delano, CA.

💰 Rent in Vista, CA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $2,249 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Vista, CA

Annual Household Income: $94,975

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Vista, CA

Estimated Rate: 10.5%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Vista, CA

In Vista, CA, households that rent: 15,620 (48.3%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	15,620	48.3%
Owner-Occupied	16,703	51.7%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Vista, CA

In Vista, CA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 8,996 (57.6%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	8,996	57.6%
Other renter households	6,624	42.4%
Total renter households	15,620	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Vista, CA

Less than High School: 24,862 people (38%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 14,909 people (22.8%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 6,488 people (9.9%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 19,155 people (29.3%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 65,414

📊 Unemployment Rate in Vista, CA

Estimated Rate: 4.1%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Kenosha, WI99,147 St. George, UT99,184 Federal Way, WA99,232 Longmont, CO98,958 Boca Raton, FL98,833 San Angelo, TX99,507 New Braunfels, TX98,700 Roanoke, VA98,677 Yuma, AZ98,461 Buckeye, AZ99,844

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.