Carlsbad, CA vs Vista, 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
Vista
63.3
#1784 nationally
Carlsbad leads in crime level (5.5 vs 8.7). Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $88,715). Vista leads in walk score (46 vs 31).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 63.3 (#1784) |
| Population | 113,495 | 98,344 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $879,716 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $88,715 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 8.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+16.8 |
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
63.3 Score
Vista, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$879,716
Population
98,344
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Vista, CA →