Palo Alto, CA vs Santa Clara, 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.
Palo Alto
67.4
#1429 nationally
Santa Clara
65.7
#1617 nationally
Palo Alto leads in median household income ($214,118 vs $165,352). Santa Clara leads in crime level (5.0 vs 5.8). Palo Alto leads in walk score (61 vs 58).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palo Alto, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1429) | 65.7 (#1617) |
| Population | 65,882 | 131,062 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $3,599,324 | $1,680,833 |
| Median Household Income | $214,118 | $165,352 |
| Average Commute | 23.9 min | 23.6 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | N/A | 241 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+40.0 | D+40.0 |
D+
67.4 Score
Palo Alto, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$3,599,324
Population
65,882
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Palo Alto, CA →
D
65.7 Score
Santa Clara, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,680,833
Population
131,062
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Santa Clara, CA →
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