Hercules, CA vs Laurel, MD
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.
Hercules
63.3
#1776 nationally
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Hercules leads in crime level (4.6 vs 10.8). Laurel leads in walk score (53 vs 29). Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 171).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hercules, CA | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1776) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 26,582 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $743,984 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $125,880 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 40.4 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 171 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | D+13.9 |
D
63.3 Score
Hercules, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$743,984
Population
26,582
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Hercules, CA →
D
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →