El Cajon, CA vs Tacoma, WA
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.
El Cajon
62.5
#1848 nationally
Tacoma
65.1
#1654 nationally
Tacoma leads in cost of living index (118 vs 150). El Cajon leads in walk score (61 vs 52). El Cajon leads in average commute (25.4 min vs 28.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Cajon, CA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.5 (#1848) | 65.1 (#1654) |
| Population | 102,991 | 221,776 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $812,181 | $496,203 |
| Median Household Income | $64,128 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 25.4 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 11.9 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 150 | 118 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+10.8 |
D-
62.5 Score
El Cajon, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$812,181
Population
102,991
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View El Cajon, CA →
D
65.1 Score
Tacoma, WA
City of Destiny reborn
Median Home
$496,203
Population
221,776
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
West
View Tacoma, WA →