El Monte, CA vs San Rafael, 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 Monte
61.6
#1894 nationally
San Rafael
58.5
#1954 nationally
San Rafael leads in median household income ($113,839 vs $59,929). El Monte leads in cost of living index (151 vs 213). El Monte leads in crime level (11.6 vs 15.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Monte, CA | San Rafael, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.6 (#1894) | 58.5 (#1954) |
| Population | 103,794 | 59,555 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $764,928 | $1,332,023 |
| Median Household Income | $59,929 | $113,839 |
| Average Commute | 29.3 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 11.6 | 15.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 213 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+63.9 |
D-
61.6 Score
El Monte, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$764,928
Population
103,794
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
62
Pacific
View El Monte, CA →
F
58.5 Score
San Rafael, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,332,023
Population
59,555
Crime
High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View San Rafael, CA →
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