Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs West Palm Beach, FL
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.
Rancho Santa Margarita
68
#1361 nationally
West Palm Beach
65.4
#1636 nationally
Rancho Santa Margarita leads in crime level (2.2 vs 15.8). Rancho Santa Margarita leads in median household income ($150,146 vs $64,044). West Palm Beach leads in cost of living index (116 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68 (#1361) | 65.4 (#1636) |
| Population | 46,182 | 124,130 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,017,195 | $406,115 |
| Median Household Income | $150,146 | $64,044 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 23.8 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 2.2 | 15.8 |
| 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+0.8 |
D+
68 Score
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,017,195
Population
46,182
Crime
Low
Walk Score
34
Pacific
View Rancho Santa Margarita, CA →
D
65.4 Score
West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-size Florida city with community character
Median Home
$406,115
Population
124,130
Crime
High
Walk Score
40
Southeast
View West Palm Beach, FL →
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