Arcata, CA vs San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
62.9
#1817 nationally
San Francisco leads in median household income ($136,689 vs $43,444). San Francisco leads in walk score (89 vs 48). Arcata leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 33.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 62.9 (#1817) |
| Population | 19,012 | 808,437 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $1,416,278 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $136,689 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 33.4 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 89 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 195 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+64.8 |
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
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D-
62.9 Score
San Francisco, CA
Innovation capital on the bay
Median Home
$1,416,278
Population
808,437
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
B-
Pacific
View San Francisco, CA →