Helena, AL vs Oakland, 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.
Helena
74.5
#582 nationally
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 12). Helena leads in cost of living index (101 vs 155). Helena leads in median household income ($107,360 vs $85,459).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Helena, AL | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#582) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 22,117 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $367,018 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $107,360 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 12 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 2.0 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+40.8 | D+53.6 |
C
74.5 Score
Helena, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$367,018
Population
22,117
Crime
Low
Walk Score
12
Southeast
View Helena, AL →
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →