Lake Stevens, WA vs Santa Barbara, 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.
Lake Stevens
66.2
#1574 nationally
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Lake Stevens leads in crime level (3.2 vs 17.8). Santa Barbara leads in walk score (61 vs 23). Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 35.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Stevens, WA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1574) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 40,521 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $698,093 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $111,821 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 35.1 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 3.2 | 17.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 137 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.0 | D+26.7 |
D
66.2 Score
Lake Stevens, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$698,093
Population
40,521
Crime
Low
Walk Score
23
Pacific
View Lake Stevens, WA →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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