Lafayette, CA vs Palo Alto, 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.
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Palo Alto
67.4
#1429 nationally
Lafayette leads in crime level (2.2 vs 5.8). Palo Alto leads in walk score (61 vs 26). Palo Alto leads in average commute (23.9 min vs 29.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lafayette, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1832) | 67.4 (#1429) |
| Population | 25,048 | 65,882 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,941,109 | $3,599,324 |
| Median Household Income | $219,250 | $214,118 |
| Average Commute | 29.7 min | 23.9 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 2.2 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 280 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | D+40.0 |
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →
D+
67.4 Score
Palo Alto, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$3,599,324
Population
65,882
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Palo Alto, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Lafayette for: