San Mateo, 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 Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
San Mateo leads in walk score (68 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 249). Wake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 6.7).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Mateo, CA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63 (#1808) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 101,327 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,685,162 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $149,152 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 249 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.3 | D+25.6 |
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+
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 →
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