Mountain View, CA vs San Diego, 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.

Mountain View

63.3

#1779 nationally

vs

San Diego

65.3

#1643 nationally

Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $89,457). San Diego leads in cost of living index (165 vs 285). Mountain View leads in walk score (66 vs 52).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Mountain View, CA San Diego, CA
WhereAtHome Score 63.3 (#1779) 65.3 (#1643)
Population 81,785 1,388,320
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $1,962,774 $994,682
Median Household Income $174,156 $89,457
Average Commute 24.2 min 25.4 min
Walk Score 66 52
Crime Level 8.4 Moderate-Low
School Rating N/A 6.8
Cost of Living Index 285 165
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+40.0 D+16.8