Rochester, NY vs Seaside, 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.
Rochester
71.9
#953 nationally
Seaside
63.7
#1750 nationally
Seaside leads in median household income ($80,239 vs $42,124). Rochester leads in cost of living index (88 vs 158). Rochester leads in walk score (59 vs 53).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Seaside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.9 (#953) | 63.7 (#1750) |
| Population | 211,328 | 31,317 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,152 | $800,284 |
| Median Household Income | $42,124 | $80,239 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 59 | 53 |
| Crime Level | High | 14.1 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.1 | D+29.9 |
C-
71.9 Score
Rochester, NY
Flour City innovation hub
Median Home
$249,152
Population
211,328
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Northeast
View Rochester, NY →
D
63.7 Score
Seaside, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$800,284
Population
31,317
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Seaside, CA →