San Mateo, CA vs Santa Cruz, 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 Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
San Mateo leads in crime level (6.7 vs 16.8). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $105,491). Santa Cruz leads in average commute (22.2 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Mateo, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63 (#1808) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 101,327 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,685,162 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $149,152 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 6.7 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 249 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.3 | D+54.4 |
D
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
D-
60.5 Score
Santa Cruz, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,360,355
Population
61,501
Crime
High
Walk Score
63
Pacific
View Santa Cruz, CA →
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