Carlsbad, CA vs San Marcos, 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $99,413). San Marcos leads in cost of living index (166 vs 202). Carlsbad leads in crime level (5.5 vs 6.1).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 113,495 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+16.8 |
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 →
D-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →