San Marcos, CA vs Walnut Creek, 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
Walnut Creek
61.4
#1910 nationally
San Marcos leads in average commute (26.7 min vs 35.1 min). Walnut Creek leads in median household income ($129,971 vs $99,413). San Marcos leads in crime level (6.1 vs 7.7).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Marcos, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.2 (#1870) | 61.4 (#1910) |
| Population | 94,188 | 69,152 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $953,736 | $1,032,096 |
| Median Household Income | $99,413 | $129,971 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 7.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 166 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+38.0 |
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-
61.4 Score
Walnut Creek, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,032,096
Population
69,152
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Walnut Creek, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap San Marcos for: