San Marcos, CA vs Vista, 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
Vista
63.3
#1784 nationally
San Marcos leads in crime level (6.1 vs 8.7). Vista leads in walk score (46 vs 33). San Marcos leads in median household income ($99,413 vs $88,715).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Marcos, CA | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.2 (#1870) | 63.3 (#1784) |
| Population | 94,188 | 98,344 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $953,736 | $879,716 |
| Median Household Income | $99,413 | $88,715 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 8.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 166 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+16.8 |
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
63.3 Score
Vista, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$879,716
Population
98,344
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Vista, CA →