Escondido, CA vs Monterey, 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.
Escondido
61.3
#1912 nationally
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 27.7 min). Escondido leads in cost of living index (150 vs 192). Monterey leads in median household income ($98,003 vs $77,554).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.3 (#1912) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 148,122 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $796,994 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $77,554 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 27.7 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 45 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 11.9 | 10.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 150 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+29.9 |
D-
61.3 Score
Escondido, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$796,994
Population
148,122
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
45
Pacific
View Escondido, CA →
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →