Living in Mountain View CA means settling into the heart of Silicon Valley while still enjoying scenic charm. This city in the Bay Area is famously known as the home of Google’s global headquarters, plus dozens of other tech giants and startups, a major draw for anyone moving to California for career opportunities.
So, what is Mountain View known for? Its unbeatable proximity to major tech campuses, stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and a lively downtown filled with restaurants, art, and culture. The city’s name literally comes from those mountain views, first used when the area developed around a stagecoach stop in the 1850s. Officially incorporated in 1902, Mountain View has evolved from a quiet agricultural town into a new city of innovation and creativity.
For any California resident or newcomer moving to Mountain View, it’s easy to see why people love it here. Excellent weather, diverse culture, and access to parks, trails, and coastal escapes make it a great place for residents who want the perfect combination of nature and tech-fueled energy.
Is Mountain View CA a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Mountain View CA is a good place to live. When living in Mountain View CA, you can enjoy ample job opportunities in the tech industry in the Bay Area, fun outdoor activities, and easily-accessible public transportation.
Where Is Mountain View California?
Mountain View is in Santa Clara County, California, right in the heart of Silicon Valley in the Bay Area. This vibrant community sits between Palo Alto and Sunnyvale, with Los Altos to the south, Moffett Federal Airfield to the east, and the San Francisco Bay to the north. The scenic Santa Cruz Mountains rise to the west, inspiring the city’s name.
For those living in Mountain View CA, or moving to Mountain View, location is everything. You’ll be about 40 miles south of San Francisco and near Kensington and San Martin, making it easy to explore the wider region.
Public transportation in Mountain View is excellent. The Downtown Mountain View Station is one of the county’s busiest transit hubs, connecting Caltrain, VTA light rail, MVgo shuttles, and local bus routes. Caltrain runs from San Francisco to Gilroy, with express Baby Bullet service stopping downtown. Residents also enjoy biking along local trails and Castro Street, though traffic congestion can increase the average commute time.
Are you ready to make moving to Mountain View CA a reality? If living in Mountain View CA sounds great to you, then give the expert Mountain View movers at AMS Relocation a call. Our Mountain View moving company is here for you every step of the way!
Mountain View Population & Demographics
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How many people are living in Mountain View CA? The Mountain View population is 81,790, giving the city a population density of 6,839.7 people per square mile. Residents living in the community are quite young, with a median age of 34.7. This is likely due to the area’s thriving tech scene, which draws in young professionals from around the world. Additionally, the city enjoys a diverse population, with a racial and ethnic composition of 52% White (35% non-Hispanic), 41% Asian, 5% two or more races, 2% Black or African American, and 1% other race.
Additional Mountain View Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 51% female, 49% male
- Median household income: $181,671 (higher than the California average of $95,521)
- Foreign-born population: 44%
- Educational attainment: 95.2% high school degree (or higher), 74.3% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Notable people from Mountain View: Apple founder Steve Jobs, musician Laura Chavez, author Andy Weir
Is Mountain View CA safe? Here’s an overview of the Mountain View crime rate:
- Overall crime rate: 3,237 crimes per 100,000 people (13.9% higher than state average and 39.3% higher than national average)
- Violent crime rate: 223 crimes per 100,000 people (44.5% lower than state average and 25.1% lower than national average)
- Property crime rate: 2,961 crimes per 100,000 people (26.4% higher than state average and 51.5% higher than national average)
Overall, living in Mountain View CA is safe. While the overall crime rate is higher than average, the violent crime rate is actually far below both the state and national average. After moving to Mountain View CA, you’ll be protected by the Mountain View Police Department.
Mountain View California Cost of Living
Is Mountain View expensive? Mountain View CA is very expensive. Mountain View Cost of Living Index is 231, meaning that the cost of living in Mountain View CA is 131% more expensive than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Mountain View CA would need to earn $193,646 per year to live comfortably in the city.
Typical Mountain View Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- Regular cappuccino: $5.33
- Gallon of milk: $4.90
- Loaf of bread: $4.17
- Pound of cheese: $5.00
- Gallon of gas: $4.69
- Monthly fitness membership: $72.25
- Average Mountain View utilities per month: $294.18
Source: Numbeo
When living in Mountain View CA, you’ll likely be exploring Mountain View real estate. According to Redfin, the average home price in Mountain View CA is $1.9 million. The median home price in Mountain View is higher than the national average of $439,198 and the California average of $822,600. It’s also higher than the San Francisco average of $1.3 million. Mountain View offers hundreds of luxury homes, many of which are over 4,000 square feet.
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Would you rather rent when living in Mountain View CA? According to RentCafe, the average rent in Mountain View CA is $3,750.
Neighborhoods in Mountain View CA | Where to Live in Mountain View
Here are a few neighborhoods to explore when living in Mountain View CA.
Blossom Valley
Blossom Valley is one of the more exclusive areas for those moving to Mountain View who want space, quiet streets, and beautiful mid-century ranch homes. Built in the 1950s and 1960s on former orchard land, it includes sub-neighborhoods like Springer Meadows and Miramonte Oaks near Los Altos. Ideal for families and professionals living in Mountain View CA who value suburban comfort close to Downtown Mountain View.
Cuernavaca
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Located off Crestview Drive near the Sunnyvale border, Cuernavaca offers charming Spanish-style homes with red-tiled roofs and community amenities. Once a cherry orchard and golf course, it’s now a peaceful enclave popular with retirees and commuters living in Mountain View CA.
Monta Loma
Monta Loma is a favorite among design lovers moving to Mountain View for its iconic mid-century modern homes by Joseph Eichler and John Calder Mackay. The neighborhood has a laid-back vibe, tree-lined streets, and easy access to Downtown Mountain View and Caltrain.
Mountain View CA Weather & Climate
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Per the Köppen Classification, Mountain View has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means that when living in Mountain View CA, you’ll experience warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Does it snow in Mountain View? No, it does not typically snow in the area, with an average annual snowfall of 0 inches.
Here are a few important Mountain View climate statistics:
- Average summer Mountain View temperature: 72ºF
- Average winter Mountain View temperature: 58ºF
- Average annual rainfall in Mountain View: 14 inches
- Sunny days in Mountain View (per year): 256
Things to Do in Mountain View CA
Here are a few fun things to do when living in Mountain View CA.
Rengstorff House
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Rengstorff House is a historic home and garden featuring Rengstorff Park. The park features tours, exhibits, and Victorian Italianate architecture.
3070 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043, (650) 903-6073
Shoreline Lake
Head to Shoreline Lake to enjoy beautiful parks along the lake, challenging hiking trails, and year-round local events.
Computer History Museum
One of the most fun things to do in Mountain View, the Computer History Museum takes a deep dive into the area’s tech history.
1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043, (650) 810-1010
Additional Mountain View Attractions
Still not sure what to do in Mountain View? Check out the city event calendar!
Mountain View Restaurants
Mountain View is full of cozy cafes, hip bars, and family-owned eateries. These are a few of the best places to eat in Mountain View.
Eureka!
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Locals living in Mountain View CA rave about Eureka! This hip spot serves up elevated burgers along with craft beer and whiskey.
191 Castro St Level 2, Mountain View, CA 94041, (650) 426-0582
Cucina Venti Restaurant
One of the best restaurants in Mountain View, Cucina Venti offers upscale Italian dishes with the option to sit on an outdoor patio.
1390 Pear Ave Ste D, Mountain View, CA 94043, (650) 254-1120
Cascal
When living in Mountain View CA, you can’t skip out on Cascal. Here, you’ll find Pan-Latin tapas and entrees like Paella and lamb chops.
400 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041, (650) 940-9500
Mountain View Jobs
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Because Mountain View is situated in Silicon Valley, residents living in Mountain View CA can enjoy thousands of job opportunities, particularly in the tech industry. Many tech giants are headquartered in the area, such as Google and Intuit, giving tech employees several amazing options. Additionally, you’ll find a good number of local businesses if you’re looking for something smaller.
According to the City of Mountain View 2024 Annual Financial Report, the top employers in Mountain View are:
- Google LLC: 24,000 employees
- El Camino Hospital: 3,400 employees
- Intuit: 3,200 employees
- LinkedIn: 2,500 employees
- Microsoft: 2,300 employees
- Waymo: 1,600 employees
- Palo Alto/Sutter Health: 1,200 employees
- Bytedance: 1,000 employees
- Nuro: 1,000 employees
- Wipro: 900 employees
According to Payscale, the average salary in Mountain View CA is $130,000.
If you’re moving to Mountain View and looking for a job, make sure to check out the city job board. You can also search for ‘jobs in Mountain View’ on Indeed.
Schools in Mountain View California
Families living in Mountain View CA benefit from excellent schools and strong district options. The Mountain View School District (Mountain View-Whisman) oversees most elementary schools in Mountain View, including Bubb, Castro, Imai, Landels, Mistral, Monta Loma, Stevenson, Theuerkauf, and Vargas, as well as middle schools Crittenden and Graham. Springer Elementary falls under the Los Altos School District.
High schools in Mountain View are part of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, home to Mountain View High School, Los Altos High School, and Alta Vista High School. These Mountain View high schools are known for strong academic and extracurricular programs, making the city an ideal place for students looking for both academics and extracurricular activities.
Notable private schools in Mountain View CA include Khan Lab School, Saint Francis High School, the German International School of Silicon Valley, and Yew Chung International School of Silicon Valley, all top-rated schools offering fantastic options.
When living in Mountain View CA, you can utilize the Mountain View Public Library.
Mountain View CA Statistics & Information
- County: Santa Clara County
- Mountain View area: 12.236 square miles
- Mountain View zip code: 94035-94043
- Mountain View area code: 650
- Mountain View elevation: 105 feet
- Mountain View time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -8 and -7)
- Closest airport to Mountain View: San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), 10.2 miles away
Map of Mountain View CA
You can refer to this map when living in Mountain View CA.
Is Living in Mountain View CA Right for You?
Is moving to Mountain View right for you? Living in Mountain View CA has never been more exciting, and the experts at AMS Relocation are ready to help you settle into your new city. To get started with a free quote, call our Mountain View movers at (650) 284-2931.
