Have you always wanted to live in a peaceful community with great weather and a low cost of living? Maybe you should think about moving to Greenfield, California. Greenfield is a city in Central California that offers a secluded, small town feel.
Development in the area dates back to 1902, when founder John Clark bought the land and formed the Clark Colony Water Company. It was named after Edward Greenfield, another founder and president of the Association. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1947.
Today, Greenfield is known for its robust agricultural production. It’s a great place to live for families and residents with easy access to essentials but don’t want to live in an overpopulated city. You’ll often see kids playing in the streets or residents walking their dogs on a nice day.
So, if you’re thinking about relocating to this quiet farm town in the near future and need advice, here is everything you need to know about living in Greenfield, CA.
Where Is Greenfield?
Greenfield is in Monterey County, in the heart of the Salinas Valley, halfway between the Gabilan Range and the Santa Lucia Range. US Route 101 passes through the city, offering easy access to both Northern and Southern California. The city is also quite close to Pinnacles National Park, which features the remains of a former volcanic field. Nearby cities and towns include Metz, King City, Soledad, San Benito, and Bitterwater.
Greenfield is 140 miles or a 2 hour and 40-minute drive from San Francisco.
Greenfield Population & Demographics
The Greenfield population is 18,938, according to the 2020 census. It has a fairly dense, suburban atmosphere with a population density of 6,518.5 residents per square mile. It’s also growing at a fairly rapid rate, and the Greenfield, CA, population increased by 16% since 2010.
Greenfield is a young, family-oriented community with a large Hispanic population. About 40% of residents living in Greenfield, CA are under 18, and the median age is 27 years old, which is a solid 10 years younger than the California median.
The racial and ethnic breakdown is 94% Hispanic and Latino, 17.8% White (3.2% white, non-Hispanic), 1.1% Black or African American, 1% Asian and 8.1% two or more races.
Other Greenfield Demographics
- The median household income is $73,904, which is 20% lower than the rest of California
- The population of Greenfield, CA is 52% female and 48% male
- 48.1% of residents have a high school diploma, while 8.3% have a bachelor’s degree
- The foreign-born population is 41%
Living in Greenfield, CA is very safe. The total Greenfield crime rate is 1,020 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 60.5% lower than the California crime rate and 56.5% lower than the rest of the country. The violent crime rate is also 35.8% lower than the rest of the US, while the property crime rate is 60.6% lower.
The Greenfield Police Department handles crime in the city with the support of 30 law enforcement employees, including 24 sworn officers and 6 civilians.
Cost of Living in Greenfield
Living in Greenfield, CA is also very affordable compared to the rest of California. The cost of living index offers a good way to assess an area’s affordability. It contrasts the price of common household goods against the rest of the US, which is represented by 100.
The COLI for the city of Greenfield, CA, is about 114. That makes it about 14% more expensive than the average US city but 16% less expensive than the rest of California. The Family Budget Calculator Developed by the Economic Policy Institute reveals that the average family of four with two adults and two kids needs to earn about $146,648 to afford the cost of living in Monterey County.
Typical Greenfield living expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $16.46
- 12 oz bottle of water: $1.65
- 1 gallon of milk: $5.48
- Cappuccino: $4.34
- Loaf of bread: $3.13
- Average monthly Greenfield Utilities bill: $199.79
Source: Numbeo
*data reflects the city of Monterey but will be similar in Greenfield
Greenfield, CA, real estate is also reasonably priced for California. Redfin shows that the median listing price for a house for sale in Greenfield, CA is $507,500. The average price per square foot of Greenfield real estate is $292.
Renters moving to Greenfield will also find a wide variety of options. About 51% of homes are owner-occupied, while 49% are rented out. Rentcafe indicates that the average rent in Greenfield, CA, is $1,694 per month. Prices start at $1100 for a studio and go up to $2700 for two or more bedrooms.
Greenfield Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Greenfield
Greenfield is a relatively small residential neighborhood and, therefore, doesn’t have many well-defined neighborhoods. However, anyone moving to Greenfield will experience a calm atmosphere and community spirit wherever you look for a home. The most desirable Greenfield real estate tends to be in the central part of the community, while the most affordable homes tend to be in the south.
Greenfield Weather & Climate
The weather for Greenfield CA is almost always pleasant throughout the year. It has a Mediterranean climate according to the Koppen classification system, which indicates cool, wet winters and short, dry summers.
Average temperatures usually fluctuate from about 41°F to 85°F, although the winter can get as cold as 33°F and the summer can get up to 93°F. The best time to visit Greenfield is typically from June to September.
Snow won’t be a concern if you’re moving to Greenfield. However it does average about 23 inches of rain per year. So make sure to pack an umbrella!
Things to Do in Greenfield
Although not famous for its action and nightlife, Greenfield still offers plenty of stuff to keep residents entertained. You’ll find a range of local businesses, grocery stores, and boutiques along El Camino Real, such as the Greenfield Family Store, Oly’s Home Fashion, and Tienda La Michoacana. If you’re searching for entertainment options, here are the top Greenfield attractions.
Scheid Vineyards – Winery and Tasting Room
Scheid Vineyards is a local winery and tasting room that offers two different wine tasting flights per day. It has a shaded outdoor patio and lawn games.
1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield, CA 93927 (831) 386-0316
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Greenfield Cultural Arts Center
If you’re looking for things to do in Greenfield with the whole family, the Cultural Arts Center offers visual and performing arts programs, such as guitar camps, dance lessons, arts programs, painting classes, and more.
215 El Camino Real, Greenfield, CA 93927 (831) 674-3275
Oak Park
For those in search of things to do in Greenfield, CA on the weekend, Oak Park is an excellent option. It has picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.
42603 Elm Ave, Greenfield, CA 93927
Additional Greenfield Attractions
The city of Greenfield, California also has a list of public facilities on its website if you need more ideas for activities.
Greenfield Restaurants
You’ll find a wide variety of authentic Mexican restaurants in Greenfield, CA, serving everything from seafood to steak fajitas. Here are a few of the best places to eat for a casual bite or date night.
El Rinconcito Restaurante y Cafe
EL Rinconcito is one of the best Greenfield, CA restaurants if you’re in the mood for margaritas and classic dishes like carne asada and chile relleno.
246 El Camino Real, Greenfield, CA 93927 (831) 856-8228
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El Tamalazo
El Tamalzo is another local staple serving traditional Mexican cuisine made with fresh ingredients. It offers everything from pollo tacos to asada burritos.
321 B El Camino Real, Greenfield, CA 93927 (831) 613-6895
Taqueria Las Fuentes
Taqueria Las Fuentes is a cash-only taco joint serving made-to-order items with fresh tortillas and homemade sauces.
331 El Camino Real, Greenfield, CA 93927 (831) 674-5509
Jobs in Greenfield
Greenfield’s economy is primarily based on wine and agriculture. It’s located in the heart of the Salinas Valley, one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world. Known as “The Salad Bowl of the World,” more than 80% of the US lettuce supply is grown in the Salinas Valley, and there are over $3 billion in fruit and vegetable exports. Many major vegetable producers are headquartered in the nearby city of Salinas.
The soil is especially good for growing wine and grapes, and there are over 20 vineyards in and around the city of Greenfield, such as Chalone, Scheid Vineyards, and Paraiso Vineyards. Tourism is also becoming a significant driver of the economy. It’s in the heart of “Steinbeck Country”, the area written about by famous author John Steinbeck, which attracts fans of his novels.
Outside of agriculture and tourism, most jobs in Greenfield, CA, are in health care, education, and retail.
Major employers in Monterey County:
- Azcona Harvesting
- Mee Memorial Healthcare System
- Misionero Vegetables
- County of Monterey Behavioral Health
- Hilltown Packing Co.
Payscale indicates that the average salary in the Monterey area is $82,000 per year. You can find plenty of high-paying Greenfield jobs, such as winery workers or property managers. You can also find the stable city of Greenfield, CA jobs in local government.
Greenfield Schools
Moving to Greenfield also means you can send your kids to fantastic schools. The Greenfield Unified School District contains four elementary schools and one middle school, covering K-8 and serving over 2500 students. The schools in Greenfield include Cesar Chavez Elementary, Mary Chapa Academy, Oak Avenue Elementary, Arroyo Seco Academy, and Vista Verde Middle School.
Greenfield High School is part of the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District. It serves around 1,400 students and features a minority enrollment rate of 99% and an AP participation rate of 33%.
Residents living in Greenfield, CA can also check out the local branch of the Monterey Public Library System for additional educational resources.
Greenfield Statistics and Information
- Greenfield County: Monterey
- Greenfield area: 2.95 square miles
- Greenfield zip code: 93927
- Greenfield area code(s): 831
- Greenfield elevation: 289 ft
- Greenfield time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- The closest airport to Greenfield: The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is 48 miles away.
Greenfield, CA Map
Discover more attractions, restaurants and fun things to do in Greenfield with this map.
Ready for a stress-free moving day? Our crew of dedicated Greenfield CA movers will make your next relocation the easiest day of your life. Call (831) 786-5537 today for a free estimate.
