San Marcos, CA vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
San Marcos leads in walk score (33 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 6.1). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 166).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Marcos, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.2 (#1870) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 94,188 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $953,736 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $99,413 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 166 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+25.6 |
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+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
Try a different matchup
Swap San Marcos for: