Raleigh, NC vs Walnut Creek, 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
Walnut Creek
61.4
#1910 nationally
Walnut Creek leads in crime level (7.7 vs 32.0). Raleigh leads in cost of living index (105 vs 197). Walnut Creek leads in median household income ($129,971 vs $82,424).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Walnut Creek, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71 (#1035) | 61.4 (#1910) |
| Population | 470,763 | 69,152 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $435,237 | $1,032,096 |
| Median Household Income | $82,424 | $129,971 |
| Average Commute | 24.3 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 32.0 | 7.7 |
| School Rating | 7.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+38.0 |
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-
61.4 Score
Walnut Creek, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,032,096
Population
69,152
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Walnut Creek, CA →
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