Carlsbad, CA vs Rutherford, NJ
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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Rutherford leads in crime level (1.6 vs 5.5). Rutherford leads in walk score (67 vs 31). Rutherford leads in cost of living index (146 vs 202).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 113,495 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+3.4 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, CA →
C-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →