Best Places to Live in Davis CA

Davis may be a small city in California, but when it comes to neighborhoods, the choices can feel endless. The city is home to 70,000 residents, but when it comes to neighborhoods, the choices feel anything but limited. With nearly 40,000 students attending UC Davis, the city combines youthful energy with a relaxed and community-focused lifestyle. One will always find lively, active, and some of the best places to live in Davis CA near the UC Davis campus. Bikes, cafes, and farmers’ markets are common here, with quieter streets, calm evenings, and vast green spaces everywhere. That is the specialty of Davis, and the real challenge is settling here.  

Founded in 1868 and known as Davisville before, Davis has grown into a city built with simplicity, sustainability, and student life. Renamed in 1907, the city later made history in 1967 by creating America’s first official bike lane, a legacy that still defines the city today. Davis is also recognized as the home of the US Bicycling Hall of Fame. Featuring over 100 miles of bike lanes, a culture of walking, biking, and Unitrans buses that are mainly for students, and vintage London double-decker services for taking students through the main campus routes, the best places Davis CA makes life simple for students. Davis offers a lifestyle that feels effortless, affordable, and uniquely student-friendly. Whether you are a student, a young professional, or simply looking for a relaxed lifestyle, the best places Davis CA make moving and settling in Davis easier. Let's dive into some of the best places to live in Davis CA for students.

 1. Downtown Davis 

 Population: 6,500
Violent crime rate: 2.6 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 18.4 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 74
Average rent: $2,100 per month
Best for: Students and professionals
Walkability: 95/100

Downtown Davis is the heart of the city and is known for its unmatched walkability with everyday convenience. Students living here can quickly reach UC Davis, the Amtrak Station, and Central Park, and explore popular spots like Mishka’s Café and the Davis Farmers Market. Over 4,000 people visit the park on market days and the popular Wednesday night "Picnic in the Park," which offers food from local restaurants, music, and events for kids. The area remains safe and well-protected with strong community policing and active neighborhood watch programs. A mix of modern apartments and older homes in this area makes it a top choice for those who want access to everything just within minutes. Downtown is one of the best places to stay in Davis CA near UC Davis.

2. Central Davis 

 Population: 9,200
Violent crime rate: 2.3 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 16.9 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 77
Average rent: $2,000 per month
Best for: students, those who travel by bike
Walkability: 92/100

One of the most balanced and best neighborhoods to live in Davis, Central Davis stands out with its tree-lined streets and easy bike access to UC Davis. The area has a strong community involvement, good lighting, and frequent patrols, which help maintain a safe environment with a low crime rate. There are popular cafes, local shops, and parks spread throughout, making it one of the best places to live in Davis CA for students and professionals who want proximity without any downtown noise. 

3. Old East Davis 

 Population: 5,800
Violent crime rate: 2.1 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 15.8 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 79
Average rent: $2,050 per month
Best for: families, long-term residents
Walkability: 90/100

Old East Davis is famous as a historic, close neighborhood where the crime rate is low due to active associations, community and neighborhood watch programs, and limited traffic maintenance. Students get to enjoy the safe streets and nearby suburbs for activities like biking or jogging. This area provides quick access to the downtown cafes and shops. Students living here experience peace and convenience, offering an ideal environment for academics, social life, and personal growth. This is one of the top areas to live in Davis California. 

4. West Davis

 Population: 12,000
Violent crime rate: 2.0 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 14.6 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 81
Average rent: $1,950 per month
Best for: Graduate students
Walkability: 85/100 

West Davis has quiet streets, quality schools, and vast green parks. This place attracts those who look for a slower and more comfortable life. This is one of the best places to live in Davis CA for students that features low traffic, family-friendly residential areas, and regular community policing that help to maintain a safe and secure environment. This area has well-connected bike paths and greenbelts, making daily travel to UC Davis and nearby facilities easy, efficient, and stress-free.

5. South Davis

 Population: 10,500
Violent crime rate: 2.2 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 16.1 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 78
Average rent: $1,900 per month
Best for: commuters and students
Walkability: 80/100

South Davis features around 80 shopping centers in and around. The area maintains a low crime rate and safety through active neighborhood watch programs, good, lighted public streets, and secured public places, making it one of the best places to stay in Davis CA for affordable living. This is one of the safest areas to live in Davis CA, which has quiet streets and offers comfort and convenience to students. They find themselves living near leisure parks, grocery stores, and quick bus routes to the university campus, making it a practical choice for balancing academics and daily life. 

6. Slide Hill Area 

 Population: 2,100
Violent crime rate: 1.9 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 14.9 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 80
Average rent: $1,900 per month
Best for: students and outdoor lovers
Walkability: 78/100

Located near parks and greenbelts, Slide Hill Park offers students a calm lifestyle with great safety measures. The regular patrols and community awareness help maintain a safe and secure environment. The area is one of the best neighborhoods in Davis CA, surrounded by vast green spaces and popular outdoor activities. Safety is improved by community watch programs and good traffic control measures. Students can explore the quiet streets, leisure facilities, and easy biking routes to UC Davis. 

7. The Cannery 

 Population: 3,000
Violent crime rate: 1.7 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 13.5 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 85
Average rent: $2,200 per month
Best for: professionals, modern living
Walkability: 82/100

The Cannery is an eco-conscious neighborhood known for its strong sense of community and safety-focused design. There is limited traffic, active neighborhood groups, and smart urban layouts that help keep the crime rates low and streets quiet, making it one of the best places to stay in Davis CA near UC Davis. An interesting fact many students don’t realize is that this place was built on a site that was an industrial site before and then redesigned into one of the city’s most community-based living spaces. With easy access to the daily essentials, UC Davis, and local cultural attractions, students find Cannery as a calm and well-connected place to live with a strong focus on sustainable living.

8. Village Homes

 Population: 1,200
Violent crime rate: 1.5 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 12.8 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 87
Average rent: $2,100 per month
Best for: Eco-conscious students and residents.
Walkability: 88/100

Village Homes is popular and one of the best places to live in Davis CA, for its sustainable design and strong community engagement. The crime rate remains minimal due to the strong community. It is perfect for those who value the environment and follow a safety-focused planning. This area uses solar energy, has orchards, and shared suburbs. Safety is reinforced and maintained by its close and cooperative culture. Students love to stay here because of the bike-friendly paths, communal gardens, and a supportive environment that allows sustainable living while staying close to campus and the downtown facilities. 

9. Davis Manor

 Population: 2,400
Violent crime rate: 1.8 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 14.0 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 83
Average rent: $1,850 per month
Best for: students, families, retirees
Walkability: 83/100

Davis Manor is a quiet area that has important local facilities with a strong community presence. The low-density housing and long-term residents who actively look out for one another play a key role in keeping the area safe and welcoming. A lesser-known fact for students is that many houses here were built during the early years of Davis, spreading the charm and stability. With frequent neighborhood watch efforts, low or controlled traffic, and proximity to the downtown, local shops, and nearby suburbs, Davis Manor is one of the best places to stay in Davis CA for affordable living. 

10. Wildhorse 

 Population: 4,800
Violent crime rate: 1.6 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 13.2 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 86
Average rent: $2,150 per month
Best for: students, families, golfers
Walkability: 75/100

Wildhorse is popular as one of the safest, most beautiful, and one of the best places to live in Davis CA for students. The area follows HOA-managed security measures, surrounded by large open spaces, and maintains strict traffic rules, helping to maintain the low crime rate. This new and upscale neighborhood has parks, golf courses, and beautiful bike lanes. The city maintains an active homeowner association and well-planned streets, ranking among the best places to stay in Davis CA for affordable living. 

11. El Macero

 Population: 3,600
Violent crime rate: 1.4 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 12.5 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 88
Average rent: $2,300 per month
Best for: students, professionals, those who want luxury living
Walkability: 60/100

El Macero is known as one of the safest areas located near Davis. This is one of the best places to live in Davis CA, as it is directly adjacent to Davis, and students living here often prefer this place for studies, shopping, dining, and cultural activities. The gated sections, private security, and limited housing options, which contribute much to the lower crime rates. El Macero is surrounded by sports facilities, including a country club and golf course. The private patrols and community support improve the safety. Students get to enjoy calm and beautiful surroundings, spacious housing, and outdoor activities, making this one of the best places to stay in Davis CA near UC Davis. Amber helps students find convenient, fully furnished, and off-campus housing Davis CA, like the El Macero apartments. 

12. University Mall Area

 Population: 4,200
Violent crime rate: 2.2 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 16.8 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 76
Average rent: $1,950 per month
Best for: students, those who want convenience-focused living
Walkability: 90/100

The University Mall area features shopping centers, dining areas, and grocery stores, with well-connected bus routes close to UC Davis. The amenities of this area include EV charging stations, solar energy integration, and improved bicycle connectivity, providing an eco-friendly culture overall. There are regular patrols, good lighting, and steady foot traffic that help maintain a safe environment. Students can easily run daily errands, grab meals, and secure a quick commute to campus, making this area a popular choice. The University Mall area has an amazing student life, offering apartments right next to shopping, dining, and the UC Davis campus. 

Conclusion

Beyond its reputation as a college town, Davis is recognized as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the United States. The city not only reduces the transportation costs but also maintains a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Few students know that Davis introduced the first citywide bike lanes in America in the 1960s, a legacy that continues to shape its culture today.

Students also benefit from the city’s farm-to-table culture, as Davis hosts one of the longest-running farmers’ markets in the country, offering affordable, fresh produce every week. The town’s eco-conscious initiatives, including solar-powered housing projects and zero-waste goals, align perfectly with the values of younger generations.

Students also get to benefit from the farm-to-table culture, as the city hosts one of the longest-running farmers' markets in the country, offering affordable and fresh produce every week. The town’s eco-conscious initiatives, such as solar-powered housing projects and zero-waste goals, are also followed by younger generations. Davis is located in a strategic way where students enjoy easy access to Sacramento’s job market, San Francisco’s tech scene, and Napa Valley’s leisure activities.  The city has an excellent cycling infrastructure, reliable and affordable public transport, and affordable neighborhoods that match every student's preferences, from the energetic downtown areas to quiet residential communities. 

Beyond classrooms, Davis offers an engaging way to live life. The bike-friendly commutes, cozy cafes, farmers’ markets, and yearly community events help students unwind and connect. With different housing options, a strong community environment, and everyday comfort built into the city, Davis offers an atmosphere to students where they can learn and live together naturally. 

Are you looking for student housing apartments in Davis? Explore amber, a trusted global student housing platform that matches your budget, lifestyle, and distance from UC Davis to make the most of your college experience. These UC Davis student apartments offer students modern facilities and a convenient lifestyle. 

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