San Marcos, CA vs Tustin, 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.
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Tustin
65.1
#1655 nationally
Tustin leads in walk score (51 vs 33). Tustin leads in average commute (24.2 min vs 26.7 min). San Marcos leads in cost of living index (166 vs 182).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Marcos, CA | Tustin, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.2 (#1870) | 65.1 (#1655) |
| Population | 94,188 | 77,704 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $953,736 | $1,169,038 |
| Median Household Income | $99,413 | $102,065 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 166 | 182 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+2.6 |
D-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →
D
65.1 Score
Tustin, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,169,038
Population
77,704
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Tustin, CA →