San Marcos, CA vs Vacaville, 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
Vacaville
66.1
#1590 nationally
San Marcos leads in crime level (6.1 vs 8.0). Vacaville leads in cost of living index (151 vs 166). Vacaville leads in walk score (36 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Marcos, CA | Vacaville, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.2 (#1870) | 66.1 (#1590) |
| Population | 94,188 | 102,526 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $953,736 | $607,747 |
| Median Household Income | $99,413 | $106,764 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 28.9 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 8.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 166 | 151 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+23.0 |
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
66.1 Score
Vacaville, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$607,747
Population
102,526
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
36
Pacific
View Vacaville, CA →