Herndon, VA vs San Jose, 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.
Herndon
68.4
#1320 nationally
San Jose
63
#1807 nationally
Herndon leads in cost of living index (145 vs 198). Herndon leads in average commute (26 min vs 28.4 min). San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $133,403).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Herndon, VA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.4 (#1320) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 24,935 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $734,699 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $133,403 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 26 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 6.6 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 145 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+35.0 | D+40.0 |
D+
68.4 Score
Herndon, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$734,699
Population
24,935
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Northeast
View Herndon, VA →
D
63 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →