Bowie, MD vs Oakland, 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.
Bowie
69.4
#1212 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 25). Bowie leads in median household income ($138,797 vs $85,459). Bowie leads in cost of living index (134 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bowie, MD | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1212) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 57,254 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $526,880 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $138,797 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 36.1 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 5.3 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+75.2 | D+53.6 |
D+
69.4 Score
Bowie, MD
Maryland community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$526,880
Population
57,254
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
25
Northeast
View Bowie, MD →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →