Oakland, CA vs San Marcos, 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.
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 33). San Marcos leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 32.1 min). San Marcos leads in median household income ($99,413 vs $85,459).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakland, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62 (#1880) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 433,823 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $717,798 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $85,459 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 32.1 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 33 |
| Crime Level | High | 6.1 |
| School Rating | 4.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+16.8 |
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →
D-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →