Hackensack, NJ 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.
Hackensack
70.1
#1135 nationally
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Hackensack leads in walk score (73 vs 33). Hackensack leads in cost of living index (126 vs 166). San Marcos leads in median household income ($99,413 vs $79,133).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hackensack, NJ | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1135) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 45,736 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $473,422 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $79,133 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 29.1 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 6.8 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.4 | D+16.8 |
C-
70.1 Score
Hackensack, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$473,422
Population
45,736
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
73
Northeast
View Hackensack, NJ →
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 →
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