Carson, CA vs San Diego, 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.
Carson
63.8
#1737 nationally
San Diego
65.3
#1643 nationally
Carson leads in median household income ($103,045 vs $89,457). San Diego leads in average commute (25.4 min vs 27.6 min). Carson leads in cost of living index (154 vs 165).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carson, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.8 (#1737) | 65.3 (#1643) |
| Population | 91,139 | 1,388,320 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $796,912 | $994,682 |
| Median Household Income | $103,045 | $89,457 |
| Average Commute | 27.6 min | 25.4 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 11.5 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 154 | 165 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+16.8 |
D
63.8 Score
Carson, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$796,912
Population
91,139
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Carson, CA →
D
65.3 Score
San Diego, CA
America's Finest City
Median Home
$994,682
Population
1,388,320
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Diego, CA →