Blacksburg, VA vs Oakland, 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.
Blacksburg
72.5
#869 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Blacksburg leads in average commute (14.9 min vs 32.1 min). Oakland leads in median household income ($85,459 vs $42,012). Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 43).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Blacksburg, VA | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.5 (#869) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 45,485 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,635 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $42,012 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 14.9 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 2.1 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 119 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.5 | D+53.6 |
C-
72.5 Score
Blacksburg, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$425,635
Population
45,485
Crime
Low
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View Blacksburg, VA →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →