Compton, CA vs Santa Cruz, 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.
Compton
60.4
#1935 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Santa Cruz leads in crime level (16.8 vs 34.8). Santa Cruz leads in median household income ($105,491 vs $69,728). Compton leads in cost of living index (139 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Compton, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.4 (#1935) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 90,986 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $645,439 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $69,728 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 30.8 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 34.8 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 139 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+54.4 |
D-
60.4 Score
Compton, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$645,439
Population
90,986
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
65
Pacific
View Compton, CA →
D-
60.5 Score
Santa Cruz, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,360,355
Population
61,501
Crime
High
Walk Score
63
Pacific
View Santa Cruz, CA →