Is Midway Safe, Pros and cons of living in Midway

Midway City, California, nestled between the bustling hubs of Huntington Beach and Anaheim, offers a unique blend of suburban convenience and strategic location. Its name aptly describes its position, serving as a midpoint to numerous attractions and amenities in Southern California. The community is characterized by its Spanish-style homes and apartment complexes, with a small central plaza that has become a culinary hotspot, particularly for Vietnamese cuisine.

For those considering a move, understanding the various facets of life in Midway City is crucial. This includes insights into safety, the cost of living, the job market, educational opportunities, and the general climate and demographics of the area. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview to help potential residents make an informed decision about whether Midway City is the right place for them.

Is it Safe to Live in Midway City?

Midway City experiences a crime rate that is reportedly higher than the national average. The overall crime rate is approximately 4% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 17% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Residents generally consider the western parts of the city to be the safest, with chances of being a victim of crime varying by neighborhood.

While the overall crime rate is a concern, it’s important to note that crime statistics can vary significantly by neighborhood. Some reports indicate that the crime rate in Midway City is 26.09 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The west part of the city is generally considered the safest, with a chance of victimization ranging from 1 in 23 in the northwest to 1 in 54 in the west (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Costs and Availability

The housing market in Midway City is described as very competitive. As of March 2026, the median sale price of a home was $950,000, reflecting a decrease of 34.6% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is $947, showing an increase of 32.5% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental prices in Midway City are also on the higher side, with the average rent for an apartment being $2,016 per month as of May 2026. This figure is 23% higher than the national average rent price of $1,642 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). For a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent is $2,016, while a two-bedroom apartment averages around $1,725 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Median Home Price

The median home value in Midway City is $810,004 (as reported by Livability.com). However, recent data from March 2026 indicates a median sale price of $950,000 (as reported by Redfin). This median sale price is 118% higher than the national average (as reported by Redfin).

Homes in Midway City are known to sell quickly, with an average of 18 days on the market (as reported by Redfin). Many homes receive multiple offers, and some may even have waived contingencies, indicating a strong seller’s market (as reported by Redfin).

Median Rent

The average rent in Midway City is $2,016 per month as of May 2026 (as reported by Apartments.com). This is 23% higher than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). For a comfortable living situation, it is recommended to earn about $6,720 per month or $80,640 per year, as the general guideline is to spend no more than 30% of your income on rent (as reported by Apartments.com).

Rental prices have seen an increase, with a 2.5% rise in the past year, averaging an additional $50 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). The largest share of rentals in Midway City falls between $1,501 and $2,000 per month (as reported by RentCafe).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Midway City is significantly higher than the national average. One report indicates that the overall cost of living is 64% higher than the national average (as reported by Redfin). Another source states that living costs are 32% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing costs are a primary driver of the higher cost of living, with the median home price being substantially above the national average. Other contributing factors include elevated transportation expenses and rising food prices, although food expenses are noted to be below the U.S. average (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing Affordability

Midway City is considered a very expensive place to live, particularly concerning housing. The home price-to-income ratio is not readily available, but the housing market is generally described as “very expensive” (as reported by Authority Network America). Severely rent-burdened households constitute 47.6% of the population, indicating a significant portion of residents spend more than 30% of their income on rent (as reported by Authority Network America).

The rent as a percentage of income is 25.9% (as reported by Authority Network America). However, to live comfortably with the average rent of $2,016 per month, an annual income of approximately $80,640 is recommended (as reported by Apartments.com).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual salary in Midway City is approximately $48,618 as of May 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). This translates to about $23.37 per hour, $934 per week, or $4,051 per month. The salary range typically falls between $37,983 and $54,755 annually, representing the 25th to 75th percentiles (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

While specific major employers within Midway City are not detailed, the broader Orange County region boasts major employers such as The Walt Disney Company and the University of California, Irvine. Other significant employers in Orange County include Providence, Kaiser Permanente, and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian (as reported by Orange County Business Council).

Average Salary

The average annual salary in Midway City is $48,618 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, another source suggests that the average annual salary for employees at “City Of Midway” is $63,499 as of April 2026 (as reported by City Of Midway). This discrepancy may be due to different methodologies or the scope of data collection.

The median household income in Midway City is reported as $66,635 (as reported by Point2Homes and US Census Bureau). This figure is a key indicator of the economic well-being of residents. For renters, the median household income was $46,464 in 2022 (as reported by Point2Homes).

Unemployment Rate

Specific unemployment data for Midway City is not readily available in the provided search results. However, Northern Orange County, which includes Midway City, is noted to have higher unemployment compared to Southern Orange County (as reported by Wikipedia). Illinois Department of Employment Security data for March 2026 indicates a statewide unemployment rate of 5.1 percent (as reported by IDES).

The job market in Midway City is influenced by its proximity to major employment centers in Orange County. Residents may commute to nearby cities for work, as indicated by an average commute time of 23 minutes (as reported by Livability.com).

Climate and Weather

Midway City, California, experiences a pleasant climate year-round. The average high temperature is 75°F, and the average low is 55°F (as reported by Livability.com). The area receives an average annual rainfall of 13 inches, with no significant snowfall (as reported by Livability.com).

The climate is generally mild, characteristic of Southern California’s coastal regions. This makes it an attractive location for outdoor activities and comfortable living throughout the year. For comparison, Chicago Midway Airport experiences much cooler temperatures, with a current temperature of 54.0°F (12.2°C) on May 7, 2026, and a recent 24-hour temperature range from 57.9°F to 42.1°F (as reported by NOAA).

School Ratings

Information regarding public school ratings specifically for Midway City, California, is limited in the provided search results. Niche.com lists several schools associated with “Midway School,” but these appear to be located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Midway, Utah, rather than Midway City, California.

For instance, Midway School in Cincinnati, OH, has an overall Niche Grade of C with a student-teacher ratio of 26:1 (as reported by Niche). In contrast, Midway School in Midway, UT, is highly rated with an overall Niche Grade of A and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

Midway City is home to approximately 8,004 residents as of 2026, with a current population decline rate of -0.37% annually (as reported by Point2Homes). The population has decreased by 7.8% since the 2020 census, which recorded a population of 8,681 (as reported by Point2Homes).

The racial makeup of Midway City is diverse, with Asians constituting the largest group at 41.73%, followed by Hispanic at 36.07%, and White at 15.51% (as reported by Point2Homes). As of 2024, 48.9% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).

Population and Age Distribution

The population of Midway City is projected to be 7,867 in 2026, assuming an annual rate of change of -0.8% (as reported by US Census Bureau). The median age in Midway City is 42.5 years, with a slightly higher number of males than females (105.4 males per 100 females) (as reported by Point2Homes).

The age distribution shows that 24.8% of the population is under 18, while 12.8% are 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). The largest age group falls between 45 and 64 years old, making up approximately 30.5% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The largest racial/ethnic group in Midway City is Asian, making up 41.73% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes). Hispanic residents represent 36.07%, and White residents account for 15.51% (as reported by Point2Homes). Other racial groups, including Native American, Black or African American, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, constitute smaller percentages of the population (as reported by Point2Homes).

In 2024, 48.9% of Midway City residents were foreign-born (as reported by Data USA). Citizenship status shows that 87.3% of residents are citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2% (as reported by Data USA).