Norwalk, CA vs Santa Cruz, 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.
Norwalk
63.4
#1771 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Norwalk leads in crime level (10.3 vs 16.8). Norwalk leads in cost of living index (152 vs 205). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 29.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.4 (#1771) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 98,078 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $763,397 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $91,259 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 29.5 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 10.3 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+54.4 |
D
63.4 Score
Norwalk, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$763,397
Population
98,078
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Norwalk, CA →
D-
60.5 Score
Santa Cruz, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,360,355
Population
61,501
Crime
High
Walk Score
63
Pacific
View Santa Cruz, CA →
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