Albany, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Albany leads in crime level (3.8 vs 17.8). Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 31.7 min). Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 61).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 19,097 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 17.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+26.7 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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