Hackensack, NJ vs Santa Monica, 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.
Hackensack
70.1
#1135 nationally
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Hackensack leads in crime level (6.8 vs 21.3). Hackensack leads in cost of living index (126 vs 273). Santa Monica leads in median household income ($106,797 vs $79,133).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hackensack, NJ | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1135) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 45,736 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $473,422 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $79,133 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 29.1 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 6.8 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.4 | D+32.9 |
C-
70.1 Score
Hackensack, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$473,422
Population
45,736
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
73
Northeast
View Hackensack, NJ →
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Hackensack for: