Raleigh, NC vs Vista, 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.
Raleigh
71
#1035 nationally
Vista
63.3
#1784 nationally
Vista leads in crime level (8.7 vs 32.0). Raleigh leads in cost of living index (105 vs 158). Vista leads in walk score (46 vs 31).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71 (#1035) | 63.3 (#1784) |
| Population | 470,763 | 98,344 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $435,237 | $879,716 |
| Median Household Income | $82,424 | $88,715 |
| Average Commute | 24.3 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 32.0 | 8.7 |
| School Rating | 7.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+16.8 |
C-
71 Score
Raleigh, NC
Research Triangle innovation hub
Median Home
$435,237
Population
470,763
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Southeast
View Raleigh, NC →
D
63.3 Score
Vista, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$879,716
Population
98,344
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Vista, CA →