Orange, CA vs Wake Forest, NC
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.
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Orange leads in walk score (51 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 6.2). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Orange, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1780) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 138,337 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,136,729 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $109,335 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 26.5 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 6.2 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+25.6 |
D
63.3 Score
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, CA →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →