Is Muscoy Safe, Pros and cons of living in Muscoy

Muscoy, California, nestled in San Bernardino County, presents a unique blend of semi-rural charm and suburban accessibility. This census-designated place offers a distinct lifestyle, characterized by larger lots suitable for keeping livestock and cultivating gardens, a feature that has persisted since its development in the mid-1890s to support agricultural enterprises. The community’s infrastructure, including roads and water services, was initially designed to cater to these agricultural parcels, fostering a connection to the land that remains a part of its identity today.

Over the decades, Muscoy has evolved from its agricultural roots, experiencing accelerated population growth after World War II. This transition has shaped its current character, where motor vehicles and equestrians often share the roadways, reflecting a community that embraces both modern conveniences and its equestrian heritage. Residents enjoy a setting that allows for a more spacious way of life, with many properties falling under the county’s Additional Agriculture (AA) overlay, which regulates the types and quantities of animals that can be kept on each parcel.

Is it Safe to Live in Muscoy?

Muscoy’s safety profile presents a nuanced picture, with varying perspectives depending on the data source and the specific area within the community. Some reports indicate a crime rate that is significantly lower than both the national and state averages. For instance, one assessment places Muscoy’s overall crime index at 53, which is 47% below the national average, and notes that it is safer than 95% of neighborhoods in San Bernardino (as reported by DoorProfit). Another source states that Muscoy crime rates are 83% lower than the national average, with violent crimes being 67% lower (as reported by AreaVibes).

However, other analyses suggest a different reality. CrimeGrade.org indicates that Muscoy’s crime rate is 35.98 per 1,000 residents, with residents generally considering the northwest part of the neighborhood to be the safest, offering a chance of being a victim of crime of 1 in 43 in that specific area. Conversely, the northeast areas present a higher risk, with a chance of being a victim of crime of 1 in 21. This report also notes that Muscoy ranks in the 50th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 50% of neighborhoods but less safe than 50% (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

The cost of crime per resident in Muscoy is estimated at $625 per year, which is higher than the national average and the city average for San Bernardino (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The most prevalent crime type in Muscoy is vehicle theft, with a crime index that is 4% above the national average. Property crime is generally more prevalent than violent crime, aligning with national trends (as reported by DoorProfit).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The housing market in Muscoy offers a range of price points, with recent data indicating a median listing price of $480,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). This figure reflects current demand, with a limited inventory of homes for sale, signaling a competitive environment for buyers. Year-over-year, the median sale price has shown modest appreciation, growing by 2.35% (as reported by Realtor.com®).

More specific home price data shows a median real estate price of $456,387, which is noted as being less expensive than most California neighborhoods and many U.S. neighborhoods (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Other sources place the median property value in Muscoy at $422,600, representing an 11.4% increase from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). Redfin reported a median sale price of $495K in March 2026, though this was down 7.9% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

For renters, the median gross rent in Muscoy is approximately $1,747 per month (as reported by Data USA). Other sources cite an average rental price of $3,357 per month (as reported by NeighborhoodScout), while Zumper indicates a median rent of $2,050, which is 35% higher than the median rent in Adelanto, CA (as reported by Zumper). The homeownership rate in Muscoy is around 47.9% (as reported by Data USA), which is lower than the national average.

Cost of Living and Economic Landscape

The cost of living in Muscoy is influenced by various factors, including housing and income levels. The median household income in Muscoy was reported as $71,458 in 2024, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 23.8% (as reported by Point2Homes). Another source indicates a median household income of $71,458 with a poverty rate of 26.67% (as reported by Data USA).

The average annual salary in Muscoy is approximately $49,668 as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, a broader economic overview from Data USA shows that the economy of Muscoy employs 4,770 people, with a notable growth rate of 7.29% in employment from the previous year. The highest-paying industries in Muscoy include Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, with an average salary of $62,868 (as reported by Data USA).

The cost of living in Muscoy is also noted as being 10% lower than the San Bernardino average (as reported by AreaVibes). Housing costs, specifically, contribute to this, with median housing costs around $1,498 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). For renters, the median household income was $48,720 in 2022, with a rent-to-income ratio of 43% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Employment Opportunities and Major Industries

Muscoy’s employment landscape is diverse, with key industries providing opportunities for its residents. The largest sectors employing people in Muscoy include Construction, with 639 individuals, followed by Transportation & Warehousing, employing 569 people, and Accommodation & Food Services, with 476 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups by number of residents are Office & Administrative Support Occupations, Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations, and Construction & Extraction Occupations.

NeighborhoodScout highlights that Muscoy has a particularly high concentration of people employed in manufacturing or as laborers, with 48.4% of its working residents in such fields, a proportion higher than 98.5% of American neighborhoods (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This suggests a strong presence of industrial and manual labor-related jobs within the community.

While specific major employers are not extensively detailed, the presence of industries like construction and transportation indicates a demand for a variety of skill sets. The San Bernardino City Unified School District is a significant employer in the broader San Bernardino area, as are companies like McLane Company and Dollar Tree, which have a presence in Muscoy (as reported by Indeed.com).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Muscoy experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons, with hot, arid summers and long, cool, partly cloudy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from a low of 42°F to a high of 95°F, rarely dropping below 34°F or exceeding 103°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The hot season generally spans from mid-June to late September, with average daily high temperatures climbing above 89°F. August is the hottest month, with average highs around 95°F and lows of 64°F. Conversely, the cool season extends from late November to mid-March, with average daily high temperatures remaining below 70°F. December is the coldest month, with average lows of 42°F and highs of 65°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Annual precipitation in Muscoy averages around 21 inches, with minimal snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The weather is generally pleasant for outdoor activities from late May to mid-October, with clear, rainless days being more common during this period. Humidity levels remain comfortable throughout the summer months.

Education and School Ratings

Muscoy is served by the San Bernardino City Unified School District, with Muscoy Elementary School being a primary educational institution for younger students. This public school caters to students in grades K-6 and has an enrollment of 646 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 22:1 (as reported by Homes.com).

Regarding academic performance, Muscoy Elementary School has received mixed ratings. Niche assigns it a grade of C, while GreatSchools provides a rating of 4 out of 10 (as reported by Homes.com). Further analysis indicates that the school ranks in the bottom 50% of all public schools in California for overall test scores, with math proficiency at 19% and reading proficiency at 29% (as reported by Niche).

The percentage of students at Muscoy Elementary receiving free and reduced lunch assistance is notably high at 92.7%, significantly exceeding the state average of 62.2% (as reported by Muscoy Elementary School). This statistic may suggest a higher level of poverty within the community served by the school.

Demographics and Community Profile

Muscoy is home to a population of approximately 12,025 residents, with a median age of 31.4 years (as reported by Data USA). The demographic makeup is predominantly Hispanic, accounting for about 85% of the population, followed by White residents at 8.2% and Asian residents at 3.3% (as reported by Data USA).

Citizenship status shows that 78.3% of Muscoy residents are U.S. citizens, a figure lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of the population, 32.7%, were born outside the United States, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA).

The community’s gender distribution shows 54.5% males and 45.5% females (as reported by Point2Homes). Muscoy has a total of 2,436 households, with an average of 5 people per household, and 89.2% of these are families (as reported by Point2Homes).