El Cajon, CA vs Petaluma, 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.
El Cajon
62.5
#1848 nationally
Petaluma
63.2
#1792 nationally
Petaluma leads in median household income ($108,527 vs $64,128). Petaluma leads in crime level (7.4 vs 11.9). El Cajon leads in walk score (61 vs 47).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Cajon, CA | Petaluma, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.5 (#1848) | 63.2 (#1792) |
| Population | 102,991 | 58,800 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $812,181 | $903,171 |
| Median Household Income | $64,128 | $108,527 |
| Average Commute | 25.4 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 11.9 | 7.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 150 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+46.2 |
D-
62.5 Score
El Cajon, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$812,181
Population
102,991
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View El Cajon, CA →
D
63.2 Score
Petaluma, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$903,171
Population
58,800
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Petaluma, CA →