El Cerrito, CA vs San Rafael, 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.
El Cerrito
61.4
#1907 nationally
San Rafael
58.5
#1954 nationally
El Cerrito leads in walk score (67 vs 53). San Rafael leads in average commute (27.5 min vs 32.6 min). El Cerrito leads in crime level (13.1 vs 15.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Cerrito, CA | San Rafael, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.4 (#1907) | 58.5 (#1954) |
| Population | 25,552 | 59,555 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,149,856 | $1,332,023 |
| Median Household Income | $120,414 | $113,839 |
| Average Commute | 32.6 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 67 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 13.1 | 15.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 213 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | D+63.9 |
D-
61.4 Score
El Cerrito, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,149,856
Population
25,552
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
67
Pacific
View El Cerrito, CA →
F
58.5 Score
San Rafael, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,332,023
Population
59,555
Crime
High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View San Rafael, CA →
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