Arcata, CA vs Sacramento, 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.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Sacramento
66.2
#1576 nationally
Sacramento leads in median household income ($73,924 vs $43,444). Arcata leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 26.2 min). Sacramento leads in cost of living index (123 vs 133).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 66.2 (#1576) |
| Population | 19,012 | 528,001 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $480,488 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $73,924 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 26.2 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 123 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+19.7 |
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Arcata, CA →
D
66.2 Score
Sacramento, CA
California's capital with farm-to-fork pride
Median Home
$480,488
Population
528,001
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Pacific
View Sacramento, CA →