Berkeley, CA vs San Marcos, 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.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
San Marcos leads in crime level (6.1 vs 17.5). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 33). San Marcos leads in cost of living index (166 vs 222).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 118,962 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+16.8 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →
D-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →