Carlsbad, CA vs Goleta, 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Goleta
65.8
#1608 nationally
Goleta leads in average commute (18 min vs 28.5 min). Goleta leads in walk score (44 vs 31). Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $113,889).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Goleta, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 65.8 (#1608) |
| Population | 113,495 | 32,665 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $1,364,943 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $113,889 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 18 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+26.7 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, CA →
D
65.8 Score
Goleta, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,364,943
Population
32,665
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Pacific
View Goleta, CA →