Have you always wanted to live in a family-oriented city with fantastic weather and easy access to attractions? Then you'll love living in Cypress, CA. Cypress is a city in Southern California that is close to sandy beaches, green spaces and urban amenities.
Originally named Dairy City, due to its high concentration of dairy farmers, the city was renamed Cypress following a vote in 1957. A local elementary school already had the name, which was named after the Cypress trees that were planted to protect against the strong Santa Ana winds. The city was officially incorporated in 1956.
Today, Cypress is a good place to live for families and retirees who want consistent sunshine, great schools and easy access to attractions.
Known for its dense suburban feel, Cypress offers an array of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Most residents are homeowners enjoying a community-oriented lifestyle. The area is perfect for those seeking a balance between city amenities, outdoor recreation, and suburban tranquility. Here’s what you should know before moving to Cypress.
Where Is Cypress, California?
The City of Cypress, CA, is in northwestern Orange County in Southern California. Although it's a landlocked city, it's situated about 8 miles from the Pacific coast. Neighboring cities include La Palma, Cerritos, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Westminster, Stanton, and Buena Park. Ball Road, which passes directly through the city of Cypress offers access to major thoroughfares such as I-605 and State Route 39.
It's about 25 miles or a 40-minute drive from Cypress, CA, to Los Angeles.
Cypress Population and Demographics
As of the 2020 census, the Cypress population is 50,145. The number of residents living in Cypress, CA has grown consistently over the past few decades and increased by 4.7% compared to 2010. It has a fairly urban feel, with a population density of 7552.8 residents per square mile.
Cypress is a diverse city with an older, fairly affluent population. The median age is 41.5, which is 10% higher than the rest of California. The median household income is also $117,461, which is about 30% higher than the rest of the state. Many notable people have lived in the Cypress area, including actor John Stamos and pro golfer Tiger Woods.
The racial and ethnic breakdown is 41.1% white (33.5% non-Hispanic), 37.1% Asian, 20.4% Hispanic or Latino, 3.4% Black or African American and 10.6% two or more races.
Other Cypress Demographics
- 51% of the Cypress CA population is female and 49% is male.
- 90.6% of residents living in Cypress, CA have a high school diploma, while 48.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher.
- The foreign-born population is 29.9%
The Cypress crime rate is very low compared to the rest of California. The city experiences about 2,097 crimes per 100,00 residents. That means the Cypress, CA crime rate is 10% lower than the national average and 30% lower than the California crime rate. Violent crime is also 69% lower in Cypress than in the rest of the country. Property crime is 1% higher than in the rest of the US. However, it's 17% lower than in the rest of California. As a result, moving to Cypress is just as safe as relocating to any city in Orange County.
The Cypress Police Department is responsible for handling crime and overall safety in the community. They do so with the assistance of 60 employees, including 45 sworn officers and 15 civilians.
Cost of Living in Cypress
Being in Southern California, the Cypress cost of living is high compared to the rest of the US. However, it's reasonable compared to other cities in Orange County. A good way to assess the affordability of an area is to consider the cost of living index, which compares the costs of common consumer goods to the rest of the US (represented by 100).
The COLI for the Anaheim-Santa-Ana-Irving metro area is 153.9, which indicates it's about 54% more expensive than the rest of the United States. The Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator shows that the average family of four with two adults and two children would need to earn about $147,022 per year to afford the cost of living in Cypress and Orange County overall.
Typical Cypress living expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $21.50
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.12
- Loaf of fresh, white bread: $3.64
- 1 dozen regular eggs: $4.16
- 1 pound of beef: $7.27
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $5.02
- Average Cypress monthly utility bill: $142.11
Source: Numbeo
*data taken from the Anaheim area but will be similar in Cypress.
The high cost of Cypress real estate contributes significantly to the overall cost of living. Redfin reveals that the median price of homes for sale in Cypress, CA is $1.071 million. That makes Cypress, CA, real estate 84% more expensive than the rest of the country but 17% less expensive than the rest of Orange County.
However, tenants moving to Cypress will also find plenty of great options. About 67% of homes in the city are owner-occupied, while 33% are rented out. Rentcafe reveals that the average rent in Cypress is $2,388 per month. Large-scale apartment buildings make up about 22% of the listings, while 51% are small-scale units, and 26% are single-family homes. Rent prices start around $1400 for a one-bedroom and go up to $3,800 for three or more bedrooms. For short-term stays or flexible housing while settling in, Cabinns offers comfortable, fully furnished vacation rentals throughout Cypress. Ideal for families, professionals, or anyone exploring the city.
Cypress Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Cypress
Living in Cypress, CA offers fantastic weather, low crime, and convenient access to restaurants and shopping no matter where you look. However, naturally, some areas will be more desirable than others. To help you decide what makes the most sense for you, here are a few of the top neighborhoods in Cypress.
Sorento | An Upscale Cypress Neighborhood for Affluent Families
Sorento is an upscale neighborhood in northwestern Cypress that offers a good mix of spacious single-family homes and townhomes ranging in price from about $1.5 million to up.
Cypress Village | A Luxury Condominium Community in a Central Location
Cypress Village is a Mediterranean-inspired condominium community with about 680 luxury units and upscale amenities such as a swimming pool, clubhouse, spa, sauna, and other attractive features.
Tanglewood | A Townhome Neighborhood with Natural Beauty
Tanglewood is a popular townhome community near Nature Park in West Cypress that offers multiple floor plans with open-concept designs and shared amenities like a swimming pool, barbecue pits, and a picnic area.
Cypress Weather & Climate
The weather in Cypress is fairly mild year-round. The Cypress climate is Mediterranean, which is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool winters. Temperatures typically range from about 45°F to 84°F. In the winter, it can get as cold as 38°F, and summers can get up to 93°F. The best time to visit a friend living in Cypress is typically May through October.
Although snow isn't much of a concern, it does average about 14 inches of rainfall per year. So bring an umbrella if you're planning on moving to Cypress.
Things to Do in Cypress
In a small, primarily residential city, you'll find a unique cultural scene and a variety of fun things to do in Cypress. The city is famous for the Cypress Community Festival, an annual celebration of the founding of the city with food vendors, car shows, artisan goods, and other fun activities. If you're looking to do some shopping, the Cypress Plaza Shopping Center, Cypress East Shopping Center, and Cypress Center West all offer a mix of retail chains and local businesses. Other than shopping, here are a few additional things to do in Cypress, CA.
Navy Golf Course is a military-run facility with two golf courses, putting greens, a driving range, a restaurant, and a pro-shop.
5660 Orangewood Ave, Cypress, CA 90630 (714) 889-1576
Los Alamitos Race Course is one of the best things to do in Cypress for fans of horse racing. It has thoroughbred races every weekend, as well as a restaurant and simulcast of other events.
4961 Katella Ave, Cypress, CA 90720 (714) 820-2800
Oak Knoll Park is a 22-acre green space with ball fields, bike trails, and a playground, making it one of the best things to do in Cypress with kids. It also houses the Cypress Community Center and the annual Cypress Community Festival.
9600 Graham St, Cypress, CA 90630 (714) 229-6780
Additional Cypress Attractions
The Cypress CA Parks and Recreation Department also has a calendar of community events on its website if you want more recreational activities.
Cypress Restaurants
From Mexican to Italian food, you'll find many delicious restaurants in Cypress serving innovative dishes with fresh ingredients. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Cypress.
El Zarape is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving authentic Mexican dishes since the early 90's and today it's still one of the best restaurants in Cypress, CA for tacos and margaritas.
4197 Ball Rd, Cypress, CA 90630 (714) 952-0562
Dominic's is a casual Italian eatery serving classic entrees and homestyle dishes. It offers indoor and patio seating and party packages.
9921 Walker St, Cypress, CA 90630 (714) 821-8080
Cobain's is a popular Cypress, California restaurant serving comfort food in a family-friendly setting. The menu features everything from burgers and wraps to filet mignon.
4959 Katella Ave # A, Cypress, CA 90720 (714) 699-1227
Jobs in Cypress
Moving to Cypress also offers access to a robust local economy and thriving job market. The City of Cypress Economic Development Department assists new and developing businesses in supporting entrepreneurship in the community. Manufacturing, retail, and healthcare are the main drivers of the economy.
Real Mex Restaurants, a conglomerate of several full-service Mexican restaurants, is located in Cypress. The Los Alamitos Race Course is also located in town and provides a range of exciting jobs in Cypress, CA.
Top employers in Cypress include:
According to Payscale, the average hourly rate for a worker in the Anaheim area is $22.00 per hour. No matter what your employment goals are, you can find a wide range of fantastic Cypress jobs, from criminal investigator to billing technician. There are also plenty of great full-time and part-time jobs in the city of Cypress, offering benefits packages and competitive pay.
Cypress Schools
Moving to Cypress also offers access to a top-rated school system. The city is within both the Anaheim Union High School District and the Cypress Elementary School District. The Cypress school district contains eight elementary schools, enrolling around 3500 students in grades K-6. Margarett Landell, Juliet Morris, and A.E. Arnold are generally considered the best elementary schools in Cypress.
Lexington Junior High serves students in grades 7 through 12, while Cypress High School serves grades 9 through 12. However, Oxford Academy is generally considered the best high school in Cypress and one of the best in the state. It's an academically rigorous public high school with a 100% graduation rate that ranks #4 in the state and #22 in the country, according to US News and World Report.
St. Irenaeus Parish School is one of the best private schools in Cypress. Cypress College, a two-year community college, is also in the community. Residents can also stop by the Cypress Branch of the Orange County Public Library System for books and other media.
Cypress Statistics & Information
- County: Orange County
- Cypress area: 6.62 square miles
- Cypress zip code: 90630
- Cypress area code: 562, 657,714
- Cypress elevation: 39 ft
- Cypress time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Cypress: The Long Beach Airport (LGB) is 7 miles away.
Cypress, CA Map
Explore more Cypress restaurants, attractions, and things to do with this map.
When you want an easy and affordable relocation, our reliable Cypress movers are ready to help. Call 800-395-6683 for a free moving quote.
